Plant Toxicity

Ben HenryMay 17, '20
Plant Toxicity

The following list covers common plants often encountered and questioned for toxicity. Plants are listed alphabetically by common name, followed by botanical names. Match the number following each plant with the toxicity rating descriptions below. If you have any questions or a plant is not included on this list, please call the Poison Center at 1-800-876-4766 or 1-800-8-POISON.

Note: In general, plants considered poisonous to humans are considered poisonous to animals. However, in some cases animals have been poisoned by plants considered safe for humans.

  1. Non–toxic: Either these plants have proven non–poisonous or there is no record of a toxic exposure. Exposure to these plants is not expected to cause any symptoms.
  2. Oxalates: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. Chewing these plants may cause pain and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue. Swelling of the throat may cause breathing difficulties.
  3. Minor toxicity: Ingestion may cause some minor symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Ingestions of small amounts may not cause any symptoms at all.
  4. Major toxicity: Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to major organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys. If these plants are ingested call the Poison Control Center immediately.
  5. Dermatitis: Exposure to juice or sap from the plant or a puncture would from the thorns may produce skin irritation or rash. Skin wounds from some plants can be extremely painful.
  6. Possibly toxic: Although information about these plants is incomplete, ingestion of small amounts would not be expected to cause serious problems.
  7. Animal toxicity: These plants are known to have caused problems in animals.

Reprinted with permission from University of California, Davis, Medical Center, Regional Poison Control Center. ©UC Regents. All rights reserved.

African Violet Saintpaulia 1
Agapanthus 3, 5
Agapanthus, Pink Nerine bowdenii 3, 7
Albizzia 1
Aloe Vera 3
Aluminum Plant Pilea cadierei 1
Alyssum 1
Amaryllis belladonna 3
Apple Tree Malus species 4, 7
Apricot Tree Prunus armeniaca 4, 7
Aralia Japanese Fatsia japonica 1
Arrowhead Vine Syngonium podophyllum 2
Asparagus Fern Asparagus setaceus or sprengeri 1
Avocado Persea americana 6, 7
Azalea Rhododendron occidentale 4
Baby Tears Helxine soleirolii 1
Baby's Breath Gypsophyla 1
Bachelor Buttons Centaurea cyanus 1
Begonia Begonia species 2
Birch Tree Betula species 3, 5
Bird of Paradise Stelitzia reginae 6
Bird's Nest Fern Asplenium nidus 1
Black Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia 4, 7
Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia 4, 7
Boston Fern Nephrolepsis exalta 1
Bottle Brush Callistemon species 1
Bougainvillea 1
Boxwood Buxus sempervirens 3, 5
Cactus 1, 5
Caladium Caladium species 2, 5
Calendula officinalis 1
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica 6
Calla Lilly Calla palustris 2
Camelia Thea japonica 1
Camphor Tree Cinnamomum camphora 4
Canna Lily Canna generalis 1
Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus 4
Carolina Jasmine Gelsemium 4, 5
Castor Beans Ricinus communis 4
Catalpa Speciosa 1, 5
Catnip Nepeta cataria 1
Cedar Thuja species 3, 5
Century Plant Agave 3, 5
Cherry Tree Prunus 4, 7
China Berry Melia azedarach 4
China Doll Leea coccinea 1,
Radermachera pentandra 1
Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema modestum 2
Christmas Cactus Zygocatus truncates or Schlumbergera bridgesii 1
Chrysanthemum Species 3, 5
Coffee Tree Plant Polyscias guilfoyei 4, 5
Coleus Species 1
Coreopsis 1
Corn Plant Draceana fragrans massangeana Cosmos 1
Cotoneaster 6
Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica 1
Creeping Charlie Glechoma hederacea 3
Creeping Charlie Lysimachia nummularia 1
Creeping Charlie Pil nummularifolia 1
Creeping Fig Ficus pumilia 5
Crocus Species (Spring blooming only) 1
Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milli 3, 5
Cyclamen 4
Daffodil Narcissus 3
Dahlia Species 1
Daisy Chrysanthemum 3, 5
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale= 1
Daphne 4, 5
Delphinium Species 4
Devil's Ivy Epipremnum aureum 2
Dieffenbachia Species 2
Donkey Tail Sedum morganianum 1
Dracaena Species 1, 7
Dumbcane Dieffenbachia amoena 2
Elderberry Sambucus 4, 7
Elm Tree Ulmus species 5
Emerald Ripple Peperomia caperata 1
English Ivy Hedera helix 4, 5
Escallonia 1
Eucalyptus globulus Species 3
Euonymus 4
False Aralia
Dizygotheca elegantissima 1
Ficus Benjamina 5
Fiddleleaf Fig Ficus lyrata 5
Fir Abies or psuedotsuga 1
Forget-me-nots Myosotis 1
Four-o'-clocks Mirabilis jallapa 4, 5
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea 4
Fuchsia Species 1
Gardenia jasminoides 1
Geranium Pelargonium 5
Geranium, California Senecio petasitis 4
Gladiola 3, 5
Gloxinia Sinningia Speciosa 1
Grape Ivy Cissus rhombifolia 1
Grevillea Species 1, 5
Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestics 6, 7
Hen and Chicks Sempervivum tectorum 1
Hibiscus 1
Holly Ilex 3
Honeysuckle Lonicera 6
Hoya Wax plant 1
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis 3, 5, 7
Hydrangea Species 3
Ice Plant Aptenia cordifolia or Lampranthus 1
Impatiens 1
Indian Hawthorn Raphiolepis Indica 1
Indian Laurel Ficus nitida 5
Iris 3, 5
Ivy Hedera Helix 4, 5
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum 2, 5
Jade Plant Crassula argentea 1
Jequerity Bean Arbus precatorius 4
Jerusalem Cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum 4
Jimson Weed Datura stramonium 4
Juniper Juniperus species 3, 5, 7
Katanchoe 1
Lady Slipper Orchid Cypripedium 5
Lantana camara 4, 7
Larkspur Delphinium species 4
Licorice Plant
Glycyrrhizian lepidata 4, 7
Lilac Syringa 1
Lily of the Nile Agapanthus africanus 5
Lily of the Valley Convallaria species 4
Lipstick Plant Aeschynonthus lobbianus 1
Liquidambar 1
Lobelia Species 4, 5
Lupine Lupinus 4, 7
Magnolia stellata 1
Manzanita Arctostaphylos 1
Maple Tree Acer species 1, 7
Marble Queen Pothos Scundapsus aureus 2
Marigolds Calendula or Tagets 1
Mimosa Pudica 1
Mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens 6
Mock Orange Philadelphus species 1, Pittosporum tobira 1, Prunus caroliniana 4
Morning glory Lpomoca species 4
Mother-in-Law Tongue Sansevieria trifasciata 3
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia 4
Mulberry Tree Morus species 1
Naked Lady Lycoris or Amaryllis 3
Nandina domestics 6, 7
Nephthytis Syngonium podophyllum 2
Nightshade, Black Solanium nigrum 4
Norfolk Island Pine Araucarica excelsia 1
Oak Tree Quercus species 4, 7
Oleander Nerium oleander 4, 5
Orchid Cattleyas or Onciaium 1
Oregon Grape Mahonia acquifolium 1
Ornamental Pepper Solanum pseudocapsicum 4
Ornamental Plum Tree Prunus Species 4
Palm Species 1, 5
Pansy Viola tricolor 3
Peach Tree Prunus persica 4, 7
Peperomia Species 1
Petunia Species 1
Philodendron Species 2
Photinia arbutifolia 4
Piggyback Plant Tolmiea memziesii 1
Pilea 1
Pine Tree Species 6, 7
Pittosporum tobira 1
Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima 6
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana 4
Potato Plant Solanum tuberosum 4, 7
Pothos Epipreumnum aureum 2
Prayer Plant Maranta Leuconeura 1
Pregnant Onion Ornithogalum caudatum 4, 5
Pregnant Plant Kalanchoe pinnata 1
Privet Ligustrum Species 4
Purple Passion Plant Gynura sacramentosa 1
Purple Velvet Plant Gynura Species 1
Pyracantha 3, 5
Ranunculus 3, 5, 7
Redwood Tree Sequoia sempervirens 3, 5
Rhodondendron Species 4
Rhubarb Leaf Rheum species 2, 5
Rosary Beads lbrus precatorius 4
Rosary Vine Crassula rupestris 1
Rose Rosa species 1, 5
Rubber Tree Ficus elastica decora 1, 5
Sago Plant Cycas revoluta 4, 7
Schefflera Brassaia actinophylla 2, 5, 7
Sedum 1
Sensitive Plant Mimosa pudica 1
Silk Tree Albizzia 1
Snake Plant Sansevieria trifasciata 3
Snap Dragon Antirrhinum species 1
Snowberry Symphoricarpos racemosus 3
Spathiphyllum 2
Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum 1
Split Leaf Philodendron Monstera deliciosa 2, 5
Spruce Tree Picea species 6, 7
Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoldes 1
Stephanotis 1
String of Hearts Creopegia woodii 1
String of Pearls Senecio rowleyanus or herreianus 4
Swedish Ivy Plectranthus australis 1
Sweet Pea Lathyrus odoratus 3, 7
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus 3
Ti Plant Cordyline terminalis 1
Toyon Photinia arbutifolia 4
Tulip Tulipa 5
Umbrella Plant Cyperus altemifolius 3
Umbrella Tree Scheffiera actinophylla 2, 5
Verbena Species 5
Viburnum Species 1
Vinca Species 4
Violas Species 3
Virgina Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia 2
Walnut Tree Black Juglans nigra 5
Wandering Jew Tradescantia albifora 5
Wandering Jew, Red or White Zebrina pendula 1
Wax Plant Hoya comosa 1
Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina 5
Wisteria 4
Xylosma 1
Yellow jessamine Gelsemium 4, 5
Yew Taxus species 4
Yucca 1
Zebra Plant Aphelandra squarrosa 1
Zinnia 1

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