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 Common Deadly Plants:

South Carolina Poison Control Center 1-800-922-1117

What are the common poisonous plants?

Plants are a leading cause of poisoning in preschool children. There is no easy way to determine whether a plant is poisonous. The best advice is to supervise children closely and to teach them never to put leaves, berries, or other plant parts in their mouths. There are over 700 plants in the US and Canada that have been classified as poisonous. Even eating too much of a "non-poisonous" plant can make a child sick.

What are the common non-poisonous plants?

The following is a partial list of common non-poisonous plants. Remember, even eating too much of a non-poisonous plant can make your child sick. If you think your child has eaten a poisonous plant, remove any uneaten plant parts from your child's mouth, bring a piece of the plant to the phone, and call the poison control center now.

Common non-poisonous plants

What are the symptoms of plant poisoning?

The symptoms of poisoning depend on what your child has been exposed to or ingested. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, skin rash, stomach upset, and other more serious symptoms.

Home care

Home therapy should be instituted only after you seek advice from the poison control center or our office, unless your child is at immediate risk of suffering injury.

If there are two people in the home while attempting to contact the poison control center, here are a few common sense guidelines that you may consider.

Swallowed plant parts

  • Remove any plant parts from your child's mouth.
  • Bring a piece of the plant to the phone.
  • Call the poison control center now.

    • Skin exposure

  • Without exposing yourself to irritating plant oils (use gloves), remove any contaminated clothing from your child and wash the skin with soap and water for 10 minutes.
  • Call the poison control center or our office for advice now.

    • Eye exposure

  • Flood the eye with lukewarm water (NOT hot water) by pouring from a large glass 2 to 3 inches from the eye.
  • Do this for 15 minutes, measured by the clock, and have your child blink his eyes very often during the flushing.
  • Be sure to call the poison control center for advice now.

    • Using syrup of ipecac

  • Ipecac is a very effective emetic - swallowing this medicine will usually make your child vomit.
  • Do not use syrup of ipecac unless advised to do so by the poison control center or our office.
  • Give children one year and older one tablespoon or three teaspoons (15 ml) followed by at least one glass of water.
  • For children under one or older children and adults, call the poison control center now for the appropriate dosage of ipecac.
  • It can take some time for the syrup to work. Wait for twenty minutes measured by the clock. If your child has not vomited after 20 minutes, give one and only one more dose. Never give more than two doses of ipecac. If your child has not vomited after another 20 minutes, call the poison control center or our office again for advice now.

    • Prevention

    Supervise your children around plants.

    Teach your children never to put plant parts in their mouths.

    Become aware of poisonous plants and remove them from your home or keep them out of reach of children.

    Share this information with people whose homes your child visits frequently.

    Warning signs - Call the poison control center for advice immediately

  • You have any suspicion that your child has eaten any poisonous plant, or you are not sure if a plant your child has eaten is poisonous. Bring a piece of the plant to the phone and call the poison control center now.
  • Your child is having any of the symptoms listed above after possibly having contact with any questionable plant, call the poison control center now.
  • You have any questions or concerns, or if you have any doubts about the severity of your child's symptoms, call the poison control center or our office now.

    • If you go to the emergency room, bring a piece of the plant with you.