SAFE AND POISONOUS PLANTS

Directory of Poison Control Centers

This list identifies many plants as either poisonous or safe. Please use it as a guide and be aware that it is not a complete listing.

Plants are a leading cause of poisoning to pre-schoolers. Children are often attracted to their colorful berries, fruits and leaves. But over 700 plants in the United States and Canada have been identified as poisonous. If eaten, some plants can cause a skin rash or stomach upset. Others can even cause death.

If you have young children, it’s a good idea to take “plant inventory” and substitute safe plants for poisonous ones. Fortunately, most plant poisonings can be prevented. Here are some tips:

Learn which plants are poisonous. For help, check with your library, local garden and florist shops, arboretums and university botany departments.
Keep young children away from all plants. Eating too much of even a “safe” plant can make a child sick.
Remove all poisonous plants from the area.
Always supervise children closely around plants.
Teach children not to put plants, fruits an berries in their mouths.

There is no easy rule of thumb to tell a poisonous plant from a safe one. If uncertain, always consult an authority.

If you think your child may have swallowed any part of a poisonous plant, first remove any remaining pieces from your child’s mouth. Then bring your child and a piece of the plant to the phone and call the Poison Control Center nearest you.

SAFE PLANTS

African Violet
Aluminum Plant
Begonia
Boston Fern
Coleus
Dracaena
Hen-and-Chickens
Jade Plant
Mother-in-law's Tongue
Peperomia
Prayer Plant
Rubber Plant
Sensitive Plant
Spider Plant
Swedish Ivy
Wandering Jew
Wax Plant
Weeping Fig

POISONOUS PLANTS

Autumn Crocus
Azalea
Baneberry
Belladona
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Black Cherry
Black Locust
Black Snakeroot
Bleeding Heart
Boxwood
Buckeye
Buttercups
Caladium
Caper Spurge
Castor Bean
Cherry
Chrysanthemum
Chinaberry
Daffodil Bulbs
Daphne
Delphinium
Dieffenbachia
Dumbcane
Duranta
Elderberry
English Ivy
English Yew
False Hellebore
Foxglove
Golden Chain
Holly
Horse Chestnt
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Jack-in-the Pulpit
Jequirity Bean
Jerusalem Cherry
Jessamine
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Larkspur
Lantana
Laurel
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lupine
Mistletoe
Monkshood
Mountain Laurel
Morning Glory
Mushrooms
Narcissus
Nightshade
Oak Tree
Oleander
Philodendron
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac
Pokeweed
Privet
Rhododendron
Rhubarb Leaves
Rosary Pea
Rubber Vine
Sandbox Tree
Skunk Cabbage
Tansy
Thorn Apple
Tobacco
Tung Oil Tree
Water Hemlock
White Snakeroot
Yellow Jassamine
Yellow Oleander
Yew