444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A | Lincoln, NE 68528 | 402-441-7180 | http://lancaster.unl.edu Toxicity of Common Houseplants [31] Plants are third only to medicines and household List of Toxicity of Common chemicals in causing poisonings among children in the United States. It is wise to place all plants and plant mate- Houseplants rials out of reach of very young children (including seeds, The following is a list of the toxicity of common house- plant bulbs, soil and fertilizers). lf you have a young child, plants, including some common ornamentals growing buy only non-toxic plants. around the home. African Violet (Episcia reptans) — non-toxic Nebraska Regional Poison Center 1-800-222-1222 Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei) — non-toxic Amaryllis — contain alkaloid lycorine, bulb is most toxic; American Association of Poison Control Crincum, Huemanthus, and Nerine genera of Centers 1-800-222-1222 Amaryllis also contain alkaloids in bulbs Aralia (Fatsia japonica) — non-toxic Toxic Compounds Arrowhead Plant, Nephthytis (Syngonium podo- Here is a description of the toxic compounds found in phyllum) — toxic: oxalates some plants. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus plumosus) — toxic: dermatitis Alkaloid lycorine — irritant to the gastrointestinal tract. Avocado (Persea americana) — possibly toxic Dermatitis — may give a rash or inflammation after Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale) — toxic contact with skin or mucous membranes. Glycosides — cause cardiac stimulation, gastric distress, Baby Tears (Helxine soleirolii) — non-toxic irritant to mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Bear Feet (Cotyledon tomentosa) — non-toxic Oxalates — plants which contain oxalate salts produce Begonia (Begonia sp.) — non-toxic mucous membrane irritation and pain, and/or Bird-of-Paradise (Poinciana gilliesii) — toxic swelling of mouth, lips, tongue, esophagus and stomach. Birdnest Sansevieria (Sanseviera trifasciata) Solanine — irritation and injury of the digestive tract, — non-toxic abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, Birds Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) — non-toxic weakness, unconsciousness. Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) — toxic: solanine Toxic — if plants are listed as toxic, they may contain a Bloodlead (Iresine herbstii) — non-toxic wide variety of toxins. Damage may be to stomach, heart, kidneys or other organs. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta) — non-toxic Non-Toxic — these plants have shown no more toxicity Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) — toxic: oxalates than an equal amount of vegetable matter. Bridal Veil (Tradescantia ‘Bridal Veil’) — non-toxic Symptoms are unlikely. Caladium (Caladium sp.) — toxic: oxalates Calathea (Calathea argyraea) — non-toxic Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida) — causes skin and gastrointestinal inflammation Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus) — non-toxic Continued on next page Copyright ©2015 Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger L.) — toxic: glycosides Madagascar Lace Plant (Aponageton fenestralis) Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum sp.) — may give — non-toxic dermatitis Marble Queen (Scindapsus aureus, Pothos aureus) — Coleus (Coleus sp.) — non-toxic toxic: oxalates Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) Majesty (Philodendron hastatum) — toxic: oxalates — non-toxic Moon Magic (Pilea ‘Moon Magic’) — non-toxic Creeping Charlie, Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) Narcissus (Narcissus sp.) — toxic: alkaloid lycorin — toxic Needlepoint Ivy (Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’) — toxic Creeping Charlie, Creeping Jenny, Moneywort Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria excelsa) — non-toxic (Lysimachia nummularia) — non-toxic Oleander (Nerium oleander, L.) — toxic: glycosides Creeping Charlie (Pilea nummularifolia) — non-toxic Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) — non-toxic Creeping Fig (Ficus) — possible dermatitis Painted Needle (Coleus) — non-toxic Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) — many species contain Peacock Plant (Calathea) — non-toxic croton oil, a strong purgative which causes gastroenteritis Peperomia (Peperomia sp.) — non-toxic Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) — toxic Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) — non-toxic Cyclamen(Cyclamen persicum) — a case of poisoning was Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) — A child died in reported in 1798 1919 from eating poinsettia. Currently, feeding experiments indicate that while poinsettia may Donkey Tail (Sedum morganianum) — non-toxic cause a little irritation, the reports of serious Dracaena Indivisa (Cordyline indivisa) — non-toxic poisonings are greatly exaggerated. Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia Seguine) — toxic: oxalates Ponytail Palm (Beaucarenia recurvata) — non-toxic Emerald Duke (Philodendron hastatum) — toxic: oxalates Pothos, Devils Ivy (Scindapsus aureus) — toxic: oxalates Emerald Ripple (Peperomia caperata) — non-toxic Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) — non-toxic English Ivy (Hedera helix) — toxic Primrose (Primula) — some people are allergic to this False Aralia (Dizygotheca elegantissima) — non-toxic genus. A rash similar to poison ivy may develop. Ferns — some wild species toxic, no reports of poisoning Purple Passion, Velvet Plant (Gynura aurantiaca) from houseplant species — non-toxic Fiddleleaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) — non-toxic Purple Tiger (Calathea) — non-toxic Gardenia (Gardenia radicans floraplena) — non-toxic Red Princess (Philodendron hastatum) — toxic: oxalates Gold Toothed Aloe (Aloe nobilis) — toxic: possible Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) — leaves contain toxic dermititis oxalates Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) — non-toxic Ripple Ivy (Hedera helix ‘Ripple’) — toxic Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum) — Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) — non-toxic toxic: oxalates Saddle Leaf (Philodendron selloum) — toxic: oxalates Hoya, Wax Plant (Hoya sp.) — non-toxic Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) — possibly toxic Hydrangea (Hydrangea sp.) — toxic: contains cyanoge- Silver Tree (Pilea ‘Silver Tree’) — non-toxic netic glycoside Snake Plant, Mother-in-law Tongue (Sansevieria Indian Laurel (Ficus nitida) — non-toxic, possible trifasciata) — non-toxic dermatitis Spider Plant, Airplane Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Jade Plant (Crassula argentes) — non-toxic — non-toxic Janet Craig Dracaena (Dracaena deremensis) Split Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) — toxic: — non-toxic oxalates Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) — toxic: Sprengeri Fern (Asparagus densiflorous ‘Sprengeri’) — contains solanine possible dermatitis Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe sp.) — non-toxic Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis) — non-toxic Lantana (Lantana camara) — berries of some species Tahitian Bridal Veil (Gibasis geniculata) — non-toxic toxic Ti Plant (Cordyline terminalis) — non-toxic Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) — toxic: Umbrella Plant (Schefflera actinophylla) — non-toxic; glycosides (Cyperus alternifolius) — toxic Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus lobbianus) — non-toxic Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albiflora) — non-toxic Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) Warneckii (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’) non-toxic — non-toxic Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) possible dermatitis Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) — non-toxic Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) non-toxic.