10 Plants That Can Make Your Children Sick - A Parent's Guide
As parents, we work hard to create a safe and beautiful home for our children. We fill our houses with colorful plants and tend to lovely gardens. But did you know that some of the most common plants in our homes and yards can actually make our children sick?
I am a pediatrician, and over the years, I have seen many worried parents rush to the emergency room because their curious toddler took a bite of a houseplant or chewed on a garden leaf. Most of these incidents are not life-threatening, but they can cause real discomfort and worry for both children and parents.
This guide will help you identify 10 common plants that can harm your children and teach you what to do if your child comes into contact with them.
Children are naturally curious. They explore the world by touching, tasting, and putting things in their mouths. This is normal and healthy behavior, but it also means we need to be extra careful about what plants we keep within their reach.
Dieffenbachia is a beautiful indoor plant with large, green leaves decorated with white or yellow spots. Many families keep it in their living rooms because it looks attractive and is easy to care for.
Every part of this plant contains tiny, needle-shaped crystals called calcium oxalate crystals. When a child bites or chews any part of the plant, these crystals pierce the soft tissues of the mouth and throat, causing immediate pain and swelling.
- Burning pain in the mouth, lips, and tongue
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the throat and tongue
- In severe cases, difficulty breathing
Rinse your child's mouth with cool water immediately. Do not make them vomit. Give them small sips of milk or water to soothe the burning. Contact your doctor or poison control center right away, especially if you notice swelling or breathing problems.
Philodendrons are among the most common houseplants in the world. They have beautiful heart-shaped leaves and can grow in hanging baskets or climb up walls. They are popular because they survive even in low light and need little care.
Like Dieffenbachia, philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals throughout all their parts. The danger is especially high with hanging varieties because children might grab the trailing vines.
- Immediate burning sensation in the mouth
- Swelling of lips, tongue, and throat
- Pain and irritation
- Drooling
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Upset stomach if swallowed
Remove any plant pieces from your child's mouth. Rinse the mouth with water. Offer cold milk or ice cream to help with the burning feeling. Call your doctor for guidance. Watch for signs of throat swelling.
Oleander is a beautiful outdoor shrub with pink, white, red, or yellow flowers. It is often planted along roadsides and in gardens because it is hardy and blooms for a long time.
This is one of the most poisonous plants you can find in a garden. Every single part of the oleander plant contains toxic substances called cardiac glycosides. These chemicals affect the heart and can be extremely dangerous, even in small amounts.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Irregular or slow heartbeat
- Confusion
- In severe cases, seizures or heart problems
This is a medical emergency. Call emergency services immediately if you suspect your child has eaten any part of an oleander plant. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Do not try to make your child vomit. Time is critical with oleander poisoning.
Pothos is probably the most popular houseplant in the world. It has beautiful green and yellow leaves and can survive almost any condition. Many offices and homes have pothos plants because they are nearly impossible to kill.
Despite being so common, pothos contains the same calcium oxalate crystals found in philodendron and dieffenbachia. The long, trailing vines make it especially tempting for young children to grab and put in their mouths.
- Burning and swelling of the mouth and lips
- Skin irritation if the sap touches the skin
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting if a large amount is swallowed
Wipe out your child's mouth gently with a soft, damp cloth. Rinse with water. Give cold water or milk to drink. The symptoms usually improve within a few hours, but contact your doctor if the swelling is severe or if your child seems to be having trouble breathing.
The peace lily is loved for its elegant white flowers and glossy green leaves. It grows well indoors and is often given as a gift. Despite its gentle name and appearance, it is not safe for children.
The peace lily contains calcium oxalate crystals in all its parts. The beautiful white flower and the attractive leaves can draw children's attention and curiosity.
- Burning mouth and throat
- Swelling of the tongue and lips
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach upset
Remove any plant material from the mouth. Rinse thoroughly with cool water. Offer milk or yogurt to help ease the burning sensation. Contact your pediatrician or poison control for advice. Watch your child closely for increased swelling or breathing difficulties.
English ivy is a climbing plant that many people use to cover walls and fences. It is also popular as a hanging houseplant. The small, star-shaped leaves look charming, and the plant grows quickly.
English ivy contains substances called saponins and polyacetylene compounds. The leaves and berries are both toxic. Children may be attracted to the small black berries that appear on outdoor plants.
- Skin rash or irritation from touching the plant
- Upset stomach and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Fever in some cases
- Difficulty breathing if a large amount is eaten
If your child has touched the plant and develops a rash, wash the affected skin with soap and water. If they have eaten any part of the plant, call poison control. Watch for signs of stomach upset and dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
These flowering shrubs are garden favorites because of their stunning blooms in spring. They come in many colors including pink, red, white, and purple. Many neighborhoods have rows of these beautiful bushes.
All parts of azaleas and rhododendrons contain toxins called grayanotoxins. Even a few leaves can cause problems. The honey made from these flowers can also be poisonous.
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Drooling and watery eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness and dizziness
- Slow heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures in severe cases
Call poison control or your doctor immediately. Do not make your child vomit. If symptoms develop, seek emergency medical care. The symptoms can appear within minutes to a few hours after eating the plant.
Caladiums are known for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves that come in combinations of pink, red, white, and green. They are popular both as outdoor garden plants and as indoor decorations.
Like several other plants on this list, caladiums contain calcium oxalate crystals. The bright, colorful leaves can be especially attractive to young children who might want to touch or taste them.
- Immediate pain and burning in the mouth
- Swelling of tongue, lips, and throat
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing and speaking
- Hoarse voice
Remove any plant pieces from the mouth carefully. Rinse the mouth with cool water several times. Offer milk or ice cream to help with the burning. Call your doctor or poison control, especially if the swelling seems severe.
The castor bean plant is grown for its large, attractive leaves and is sometimes used as an ornamental plant in gardens. It grows quickly and can reach impressive heights. You might recognize it because castor oil, which is safe and used as a medicine, comes from this plant.
This plant is extremely dangerous. The seeds contain a poison called ricin, which is one of the most toxic substances known. Even though castor oil is safe, the seeds themselves are deadly. Just one or two seeds can cause serious harm to a child.
- Symptoms may not appear for several hours
- Burning in mouth and throat
- Severe stomach pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea, often with blood
- Extreme thirst
- Weakness and drowsiness
- Seizures
- Can cause kidney and liver damage
This is a medical emergency. Call emergency services immediately if you think your child has eaten any part of this plant, especially the seeds. Do not wait for symptoms. Do not make your child vomit. This poisoning requires immediate hospital care.
Daffodils are cheerful spring flowers that many families plant in their gardens. The bright yellow or white blooms are often associated with Easter and springtime celebrations.
All parts of the daffodil plant are poisonous, but the bulbs contain the highest concentration of toxins called alkaloids. Children sometimes mistake the bulbs for onions. Even the water from a vase of cut daffodils can be harmful.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Drooling
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tremors or shaking
- Seizures in serious cases
Call poison control immediately. Do not make your child vomit. If your child has eaten a bulb or a large amount of the plant, seek emergency medical care. Store bulbs in a safe place where children cannot reach them.
Call emergency services or go to the emergency room immediately if your child:
- Is having trouble breathing or swallowing
- Shows signs of severe throat swelling
- Becomes unconscious or very drowsy
- Has seizures
- Has an irregular heartbeat
- Shows signs of confusion or unusual behavior
- Has eaten oleander, castor bean seeds, or a large amount of any poisonous plant
Always bring a sample of the plant with you to the hospital if possible. This helps doctors provide the right treatment quickly.
Know Your Plants: Learn the names of all plants in your home and garden. Take pictures and use plant identification apps or ask at your local garden center if you are not sure what a plant is.
Keep Dangerous Plants Out of Reach: Place toxic houseplants on high shelves or in rooms that children cannot access. For outdoor plants, create physical barriers like fences around dangerous plants or consider removing them completely.
Teach Your Children: Even young children can learn that some plants are not safe to touch or eat. Use simple words like "This plant can give you an ow-ie" or "We only eat food from the kitchen, not plants from the house or garden."
Supervise Play: Always watch young children when they are playing in the garden or near houseplants. Children aged 1 to 5 years are at the highest risk because they explore by putting things in their mouths.
Choose Safe Alternatives: Many beautiful plants are safe for children. Consider spider plants, Boston ferns, African violets, or Christmas cacti for your home. For the garden, marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers are safe choices.
Be Prepared: Keep the number for poison control saved in your phone and posted in your kitchen. Know where the nearest emergency room is located. Keep a first aid kit easily accessible.
Check Before You Buy: Before buying a new plant, look it up to see if it is toxic to children. Garden centers do not always label plants as poisonous, so you need to do your own research.
In my years of practice, I have learned that most plant poisoning incidents happen not because parents are careless, but because they simply did not know the plant was dangerous. That beautiful philodendron was a housewarming gift. Those daffodil bulbs were left out during a busy weekend of gardening. Knowledge is the best prevention.
I also want you to know that most children who have contact with poisonous plants recover completely with no lasting effects, especially when parents act quickly and seek help. Your vigilance and quick thinking make all the difference.
Creating a safe environment for our children means being aware of potential dangers, including the beautiful plants we keep in our homes and gardens. This does not mean you need to remove all plants from your life. Plants bring joy, clean our air, and teach children about nature.
The goal is to make informed choices. Know what plants you have, understand which ones could be harmful, and take simple precautions to keep them away from curious little hands and mouths.
Remember that plant poisoning is rarely life-threatening when handled promptly and correctly. Stay calm, act quickly, and do not hesitate to call for professional help. Trust your instincts as a parent. If something does not feel right, seek medical attention.
By sharing this knowledge with other parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we can all work together to keep our children safe while still enjoying the beauty and benefits that plants bring to our lives.
For additional information about plant safety and poisoning prevention, consider these trusted resources:
Recommended Reading:
- Poisonous Plants: A Handbook for Doctors, Pharmacists, Toxicologists, Biologists and Veterinarians by Dietrich Frohne and Hans Jurgen Pfander
- The Complete Guide to Safe Gardening by the Royal Horticultural Society
- American Academy of Pediatrics website section on safety and prevention
Trusted Websites:
- American Association of Poison Control Centers website
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention poisoning prevention resources
- National Capital Poison Center plant database
- Your local poison control center website
Information in this article is based on established medical knowledge and toxicology references including databases maintained by poison control centers and peer-reviewed medical literature on plant toxicity.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your pediatrician, doctor, or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's health or a medical condition. If you think your child has been poisoned, call your local poison control center or emergency services immediately.