Common nontoxic (safe) plants
The following plants are known to be safe or nonpoisonous. It is important to remember though, that children and animals can choke on any plant. This is not a complete list:
| African violet | Donkey tail | Peperomia | ||
| Air fern | Dracaena | Piggyback plant | ||
| Aluminum plant | Fittonia, red | Pilea | ||
| Aralia | Fuchsia | Polka dot plant | ||
| Areca palm | Ferns (many are nontoxic | Prayer plant | ||
| Baby tears | Forsythia | Pregnancy plant | ||
| Begonia (except sand begonia) | Gardenia | Primula | ||
| Birch berry | Hibiscus | Purple velvet | ||
| Bloodleaf plant | Honeysuckle | Rubber plant | ||
| Boston fern | Impatiens | Schefflera | ||
| Bromeliads | Inch plant | Snake plant | ||
| Butterfly | Jade plant | Snowball tree | ||
| Cactus, Christmas | Japanese aralia | Spider plant | ||
| Calathea, painted | Kalanchoe | Sumac | ||
| California poppy | Lady’s slipper | Swedish ivy | ||
| Camellia | Lipstick plant | Tiger lily (toxic to cats) | ||
| Coleus | Manzanita | Umbrella plant | ||
| Corn plant | Marigold | Velvet plant | ||
| Croton (most are nontoxic) | Mountain ash | Violets | ||
| Creeping Charlie | Nasturtium | Wandering Jew | ||
| Dandelion | Palm | Zebra plant | ||
| Dogwood | Patient Lucy |
Common toxic (unsafe) plants
Many toxic plants produce very minor symptoms, such as a stomach upset, mouth and throat pain or skin rash. If large quantities are swallowed, or if a person frequently takes smaller amounts of the plant, more serious symptoms could develop. Some people are more sensitive to the toxic effects of plants than are others. It is very rare for plants to cause life-threatening symptoms. This is not a complete list.
| Amaryllis: 2 | Firethorn: 2, 4 | Philodendron: 3, 4 | ||
| Azalea: 1 | Foxglove: 1 | Periwinkle: 1 | ||
| Begonia: 2, 3 | Glory lily: 1 | Poinsettia: 2, 4 | ||
| Bird of Paradise: 2 | Goldenchain tree: 2 | Poison ivy: 2, 4 | ||
| Buttercup: 2, 4 | Holly berry: 2 | Poppy: 2, 4 | ||
| Calla lilly: 3, 4 | Horsechestnut: 2 | Poison hemlock: 1 | ||
| Camphor tree: 2 | Hyacinth: 2, 4 | Potato plant: 1 | ||
| Carnation: 2, 4 | Hyrangea blossom: 1, 4 | Pothos: 3, 4 | ||
| Castor bean: 1 | Iris: 2, 4 | Pyracantha: 2, 4 | ||
| Chinese evergreen: 3, 4 | Jack-in-the-pulpit: 3, 4 | Rhododendron: 1 | ||
| Chrysanthemum: 2, 4 | Jequirity bean: 1 | Rhubarb leaves: 3 | ||
| Cotoneaster berry: 2 | Jerusalem cherry: 1 | Rosary bean: 1 | ||
| Cyclamen: 2, 3 | Jimson week: 1 | Skunk cabbage: 2 | ||
| Daffodil bulb: 2, 4 | Juniper: 2 | Snow-on-the-mountain: 2, 4 | ||
| Daisy: 2, 4 | Larkspur: 1 | Spider lily: 2 | ||
| Daphne: 1 | Laurel cherry: 1 | St Johnswort: 1, 4 | ||
| Death camas: 1 | Lily-of-the-valley: 1, 2 | Tomato leaves: 1, 4 | ||
| Dumbcane: 3 | Mistletoe: 2, 4 | Tulips: 2, 4 | ||
| English laurel: 1 | Morning glory seeds: 1 | Virginia creeper: 3, 4 | ||
| Elderberry: 1 | Nightshade, Deadly: 1 | Water hemlock: 1 | ||
| Elephant ears: 3, 4 | Oleander: 1, 4 | Wintersweet: 1 | ||
| Eucalyptus: 2, 4 | Oak tree: 2, 4 | Yew berry: 1 |
Toxicity Class
- Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death—if ingested, immediately call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
- Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. If ingested, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
- Oxalates: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset. Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if any of these symptoms appear following ingestion of plants.
- Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and painful. Call the Poison Center 1-800-222-1222 if symptoms appear following contact with the plants.