True or false: Common household plants are safe, although maybe not desirable, to eat? The answer is false! There is a very good chance that somewhere in your home or garden, you have a poisonous plant growing. The list of poisonous plants is a very long one. Even some foods that we eat come from a plant that has poisonous components. Have you ever enjoyed a strawberry rhubarb pie? This tasty dessert contains the stalks of the rhubarb plant. However, the leaves of a rhubarb plant are poisonous! Even if you do not normally keep plants in your home, you might have an amaryllis, poinsettia, holly or mistletoe around during the holiday season.
Plants that might cause mild symptoms should an adult eat them can be deadly to a small child or pet. A good rule of thumb is that all plants should be treated as dangerous. For this reason, plants should always be kept out of reach, or removed from the house altogether, until the child is old enough to be trusted. Other ways to keep your child safe include:
Gardening Tips: Poisonous Plants
Knowing your plants. When buying a new plant or receiving one as a gift, learn its proper scientific name. Often plants have different common names and this can lead to confusion or improper treatment should the need arise.
Labeling your plants. The plants in your garden and home should be identified in some obvious way. Keep the information stick that comes with the plant. When you transplant your plant to a new pot, move the identifier as well. When planting a group outdoors, push several of the identifying sticks into the grouping. This will help should someone unfamiliar with your garden need to identify the plant for Poison Control.
Completing plant maintenance away from prying eyes. Children are great imitators! If they see you deadheading, pruning, or even cultivating blooms, they may decide to do the same when you are not around — with disastrous consequences.
Should your child ingest a plant, you need to take immediate action. Remove any remaining plant from your child’s mouth and call Poison Control. If you know the name of the plant, inform Poison Control. If you do not, give the professional on the line as complete a description of the plant as possible. Include information about the shape and color of the leaves, describe the flower/fruit it gets (if any) and any unusual characteristics. Also let the Poison Control professional know what part of the plant your child ate — seed, leaf, flower, or fruit. If your child is exhibiting symptoms — diarrhea, nausea, loss of consciousness, erratic or unusual behavior, vomiting, etc. — let the professional know as well. Do not induce vomiting or give your child anything to drink unless told to do so by the Poison Control expert!
Don’t let your vacations or holiday celebration be overshadowed by an emergency. Consult the list of common plants with toxic properties and use them judiciously in your home and landscaping.
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