November 7, 2005 PRESS RELEASE
The Home and Garden Education Center at the University of Connecticut says play it safe with holiday plants.
As we decorate our homes for the holidays with cheery plants, evergreen boughs and berries, it is important to take into account which plants and materials might be toxic to young children and pets. If you want to know whether a particular plant or plant part may be toxic, call us at the UCONN Home and Garden Education Center, toll-free at (877) 486-6271 or visit us on the web at www.ladybug.uconn.edu.
Contact:
Dawn Pettinelli Rob Durgy
860.486.4274 877.486.6271
Safe and Poisonous Houseplants
Many homes contain houseplants or other natural materials to add beauty and interest to the décor. Not only are they attractive but many varieties of houseplants serve as indoor air cleaners as well. Lovely and functional as they may be, some houseplants may present a hazard especially if young children or pets share the household.
A poisonous plant is one that contains a chemical substance which produces a harmful reaction in the body of humans or animals when taken in small or moderate amounts. A harmful reaction could include allergic reactions, dermatitis or skin irritation, of internal poisoning. Allergic reactions are not always classified as poisoning and will not be treated as such here. This is because there is a wide range of plants that can cause allergic reactions, and sensitivity to a particular plant varies among individuals. Also, individuals can react in different ways after contact with a poisonous plant depending on their sensitivity level.
It is important that houseplant owners be aware of the potential problems that plants with toxic properties might cause. Be aware of the identity of your houseplants and learn if they pose potential threats to children and pets. If you cannot identify a houseplant, call your local Extension Center or the Home and Garden Education Center for assistance. It is also important to realize that many plants need to be consumed in considerable quantities for poisoning to occur. Often poisonous plants taste bitter or acrid and children and pets may not ingest large amounts. Young children, especially, should be taught not to put unknown plants or plant parts in their mouths.
If a houseplant or natural decoration is ingested by children or pets and poisoning is suspected, call your family doctor, nearest emergency room or veterinarian immediately. The number for the National Poison Center is (800) 222-1222. They can tell you if a plant is poisonous and what symptoms might be expected with a particular toxin. You will need to provide them with the identity of the plant, however.
The following is a list of plants considered toxic. Remember that plants may contain a variety of poisons. They may cause symptoms ranging from a mild stomach ache to serious heart and kidney problems.
Common Name Latin Name
Amaryllis Hippeastrum spp.
Anthurium Anthurium spp.
Apricot kernels Prunus armeniaca
Azaleas Rhododendron spp
Caladium Caladium bicolor
Calla Lily Calla palustrus
Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema spp.
Colchicum Colcicum autumnale
Daffodil Narcissus spp.
Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia spp.
Elephant’s Ear Colocasia antiquorum
English Ivy Hedera helix
Fishtail Palm Caryota spp.
Holly Berries Ilex spp.
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
Jerusalem Cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum
Lantana Lantana camara
Mistletoe Phoradendron villosum
Mountain laurel (holiday greens) Kalmia spp.
Oleander Nerium oleander
Philodendron Philodendron spp.
Ranunculus Ranunculus spp.
Rosary Pea Abrus precatorius
Schefflera Schefflera actinophylla
Spathiphyllum Spathiphyllum spp.
Yew (holiday greens) Taxus spp.
Plants listed below are considered safe and not poisonous. Although eating or touching these plants is unlikely to cause illness, any plant might cause a reaction in certain sensitive individuals.
African Daisy Dimorphotheca aurantiaca
African Violet Saintpaulia ionantha
Aluminum Plant Pilea spp.
Baby’s tears Soleiria soleirolii
Bamboo, Golden Phyllostachys aurea
Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginae
Bird’s Nest Fern Asplenium nidus
Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata
Camellia Camellia sinensis
Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior
Christmas cactus Schlumbergera bridgesii
Coleus Coleus hybridus
Corn Plant Draceana spp.
Donkey’s Tail Sedum morganianum
Dracaena Dracaena spp.
Easter Lily Lilium longiflorum
Echeveria Echeveria spp.
Figs, Weeping and Fiddleleaf** Ficus spp.
Geraniums Pelargonium spp.
Goldfish Plant Columnea spp.
Impatiens Impatiens wallerana
Jade Plant Crassula argentea
Japanese Aralia Fatsia japonica
Kalanchoe Kalanchoe spp.
Lipstick Plant Aeschynanthus spp
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum spp.
Nerve Plant Fittonia spp.
Orchids Cattleya, Epidendrum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum spp. Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla
Palms Most nontoxic except fishtail palm, Caryota spp
Peperomia Peperomia spp.
Piggyback Plant ** Tolmiea mensziesii
Poinsettia ** Euphorbia pulcherrima
Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeura
Purple Passion Plant Gynura aurantiaca
Sensitive Plant Mimosa puddica
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum
Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora
Swedish Ivy Plectranthus spp.
Wandering Jew ** Tradescantia spp.
Wax Plant Hoya carmosa
Zebra Plant Aphelandra squarrosa
**Sap may be irritating.
Remember:
Never eat any unknown plant and teach children the same.
- Keep poisonous houseplants out of reach of children and pets.
- Learn the names and potential toxicity of all houseplants.
- Any plant may cause a reaction in certain people. If a plant is eaten, remove the rest from the mouth and rinse the mouth with water. Call your doctor or the emergency room immediately if you suspect a problem.
References:
A Guide to House Plant Poisoning, Prevention and Treatment, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City Utah, 2000. http://uuhsc.utah.edu/pated/handouts/handout.cfm?id=2167
Barkley, Shelley. Poisonous House Plants, Government of Alberta Canada, 2005. http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/webdoc1376
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