Poisonous Plants
A Guide to Plant Poisoning Prevention
This information on poisonous plants is from a leaflet published by the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC). The UPCC is a 24-hour resource for poison information, clinical toxicology consultation, and poison prevention education. The UPCC is a program of the University of Utah, College of Pharmacy. It is staffed 24 hours a day with registered pharmacists, nurses, and physicians with additional training in clinical toxicology. The UPCC is a Certified Regional Poison Control Center and is nationally recognized by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Do You Know About Your Plants?
House plants are a common cause of poisoning in children. If you do not know the name of a plant, have it identified at a garden control center near you or check the website of the poison control center in your area.
Non-Poisonous Plants
The plants listed below are non-toxic (safe and not poisonous). If you do not find a certain plant on the list, please call or write the poison control center in your area. Illness from eating or touching these plants is not likely. However any plant, or parts thereof, may cause a reaction in certain people or animals. The sap from geraniums, marigolds, and poinsettias, for instance, may be irritating to some.
A
Abella
African Daisy
African Violet
Aluminum Plant
Aspidistra (cast iron plant)
Aster |
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K
Kalanchoe
|
B
Baby’s Tears
Bachelor Buttons
Bamboo |
|
L
Lilac
Lily (Day, Easter or Tiger)
Lipstick Plant |
C
Camellia
Christmas Cactus
Coleus
Corn Plant
Creeping Charlie
Creeping Jenny
Crocus |
|
M
Magnolia
Marigold
Moneywort
|
D
Dahlia
Dandelion
Dracaena |
|
O
Oregon Grape
|
E
Echeveria
Eugenia
|
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P
Peperomia
Petunia
Poinsettia
Prayer Plant |
F
Ferns
Forsythia
|
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S
Schefflera
Spider Plant
Swedish Ivy |
G
Geranium
Grape Hyacinth |
|
V
Violets
|
H
Hen & Chicks
Honeysuckle
Hoya |
|
W
Wax Plant
Wandering Jew (Tradecantia Variegata)
|
I
Impatiens |
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Z
Zebra Plant |
J
Jade Plant |
|
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Poisonous Plants
The following poisonous plants are the most frequently encountered by the UPCC and considered toxic. They may be dangerous. The list is not necessarily comprehensive. If you do not find a suspect plant on the list, please call or write the poison control center in your area.
A
Apricot Kernels
Arrowhead
Autumn Crocus
|
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M
Mayapple
Mistletoe (Mandrake)
Monkshood (Wolfsbane)
Morning Glory |
B
Baneberry
Black Locust |
|
N
Narcissus
Nightshade |
C
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Chokecherry
Cotoneaster |
|
O
Oleander
Oxalis
|
D
Daffodil Bulb
Daphne
Death Camus
Delphinium
Devil’s Ivy
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Donkey’s Tail
|
|
P
Peace Lily
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy & Oak
Pyracantha
Potato Sprouts
Primrose |
E
Elderberry
English Ivy
|
|
R
Ranunculus
Rhododendron
Rhubarb Blade
Rubber Tree |
F
False Hellebore
Foxglove
|
|
S
Snow on the Mountain
Star of Bethlehem
Stinging Nettle
Sweet Pea |
H
Holy Berries
Hyacinth
Hydrangea |
|
T
Tomato Vines
Trumpet Tree
Tulip Bulb |
I
Iris |
|
V
Virginia Creeper |
J
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jimson Weed (Thorn Apple) |
|
W
Wart Weed
Water Hemlock
Western Whorled Milkweed
Wisteria |
L
Lantana Camara (Red Sage)
Larkspur
Lily of the Valley
Lobelia
Lupine |
|
Y
Yew
|
Please Use Caution:
- Never eat any part of an unknown plant or mushroom. Teach children never to put leaves, stems, bark, seeds, or berries in their mouths.
- Keep poisonous house plants out of reach of young children. Store bulbs and seeds out of sight and out of reach.
- Learn to identify the poisonous plants in your yard and neighborhood. The poison control center cannot identify a plant from a telephone conversation.
- Do not assume a plant is safe because birds or other animals eat it.
- Do not rely on cooking to destroy poisons in plants. Be cautious when using plants in nature as a medicine or tea. Undesirable effects may occur.
- Any plant may cause reaction to certain people
- If a plant is eaten, remove the rest of the plant from the mouth. Rinse the mouth with water. Call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or your family doctor immediately.
Proper caution should be taken when dealing with plants. Any plant can be a poisonous plant if someone is allergic to it.
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