These trumpet-shaped flowers may seem perfectly innocent, but they can make your little ones sick. © 2006-2020 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. 7. This ornamental plant is also known as sky flower. It may be a universal symbol of joy and good cheer, but this holiday favorite is actually on the list of poisonous plants. Also known as dumb cane or leopard lily, this houseplant’s mix of of green, white and yellow leaves makes it stand out—as does the fact that it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate a child’s skin and mouth and, if eaten in large quantities, lead to nausea and vomiting. Teach children to keep unknown plants and plant parts out of their mouths 4. Safe for dogs and cats? Try planting bright and cheerful flowers like marigolds, sunflowers, and some of the best flowers that bloom in summer. Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia genus) The flowers, seeds and nectar are very poisonous. Chewing and swallowing a few seeds can cause severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Teach children always to ask an adult before eating or drinking anything. Safe Indoor Plant for Kids Jade Tree Christmas Cactus Parlour Palm African Violet Rubber Plant Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Spider Plant Boston Fern Coleus Begonia That’s why you need to be careful about the houseplants you choose for your space. Shrubs serve as accent plants or can be grown as a hedge or a property divider. Common or pink oleander (Nerium oleander) and yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) Every part of these shrubs, including the seeds, is poisonous. Though they’re not very poisonous, they can do some harm if a lot are eaten. RhubarbAll parts, especially the leaves, are poisonous (the stems are safe when cooked). Violets. You can also explain to them that every texture has a purpose. Species safe to grow around small children include butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10, Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia), hardy in USDA zones 3 to 6, flowering maple (Abutilon spp. To find out more about these and other dangerous plants, visit the. Accessories for a Mud Kitchen. But beware: While not fatal, eating these poisonous houseplants can cause irritated skin, nausea, burning and swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, vomiting and diarrhea. Belladonna lily, naked lady (Amaryllis belladonna) The sap and bulb are especially toxic to children. Label garden seeds and bulbs and store out of reach of children ), hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, viburnum (viburnum (Viburnum … When it comes to babyproofing your house, there are some obvious to-dos: Gate off the stairs, lock the cabinets, cover the outlets. Watch young children carefully when they play outdoors. Castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) This is a common self-sown weed with toxic seeds, flowers and leaves. Safe for dogs and cats? LantanaAll parts of this flowering shrub, especially the green berries, can cause stomach pains, jaundice and muscle weakness. Don't grow this poisonous plant around small children if you wish to stay on the safe side. Best Plants for Kids to Grow Lamb's Ear. Children: getting them interested in gardening. Dangerous plants to avoid if you have children 1. The staff may not always be able to identify the plant over the phone, but they can advise you on what to do next, based on your child’s symptoms and what the plant looks like. The … You can then work out if their leaves, berries, flowers, or fruit are poisonous. have nothing to do with African violets ( Saintpaulia... Silver Dollar Plant. Hemlock (poison parsley) and water hemlock (cowbane) These are commonly found toxic plants. Also known as spurge and milkweed, this genus includes Poinsettia, a popular Christmas plant. If eaten, this common holiday trimming can put a quick end to your family’s merry mood. Houseplants can foster conversations with kids about how plants grow, because when children see the regular care given to houseplants, they often ask questions about why and how you're caring for them. It prefers warm, dry conditions, so you won’t need to water too often. Supervising your child is the best way to avoid danger in the garden or anywhere else, but this isn’t always possible. “It’s important to educate yourself on the different plant species in and around your home and whether they can be poisonous to your baby.”. The good news is that most houseplants are safe for infants and toddlers. Eating the fruits can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, confusion, coma and seizures. The spider plant is perhaps the easiest to care for and safest plant on the market. This means it’s very important to make the garden safe. Rhus or wax tree (Toxicodendron succedaneum) Also known as poison ivy, this plant can trigger strong allergic reactions in many people, causing rashes, redness, itchiness and blisters over the course of a week or longer. Even very young children can be encouraged to take only some of the flowers or leaves for their play rather than stripping the whole plant and including children in the planting and care of the garden is a great way for them to learn to respect plants. It's worth looking around to make sure all plants within your baby's reach are safe. ... Garden plants that are safe for children. And creating your garden from seed will open so many opportunities for your children to learn. “Bring your plants to the poison center to learn which are poisonous, and also learn their names and teach them to your kids.” Clancy says the best way to childproof your house when it comes to plants is to teach children not to put anything in their mouths that isn’t food. All parts of the plants are toxic, except for the flesh of the berry.   This exception affords little comfort since the seeds within the berry are poisonous. A number of houseplants are generally regarded as safe and non-toxic for humans and are also interesting to small children. Many adult gardeners keep journals about what works and what doesn't—challenge your kids to document the progress of their flowers and plants in their own garden journals. When growing things from seed, this will naturally take more time than getting something that you simply buy from the garden centre. Succulents and cacti are good choices. Use the 'Edible parts of a plant' image to help If she develops a skin reaction or upset stomach, call your child’s doctor and have her evaluated. Eating the berries can cause drowsiness, facial flushing, fever, vomiting, confusion and hallucinations. The sense most stimulated by Stachys byzantina is touch. Castor oil plant ( Ricinus communis) This is a common self-sown weed with toxic seeds, flowers and leaves. It’s unlikely that your child will get serious poisoning from eating a small piece of the plant—mild symptoms, including mouth irritation, nausea and vomiting are more typical—but swallowing large quantities of these poisonous plants, whether it’s the leaves, flowers or nectar, can be life threatening. This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Plants are important to our health and well-being, and they can help children understand and respect the natural world. It is unusual for curious children to get dangerously sick from garden plants. The maroon, purple, rose, yellow, pink, or green colors found in the leaves can be intensified by placing the plant outside in indirect bright light for the summer. Both bush and pole varieties come in a wide array of types and colors include yellow, green, and purple. You can also call the poison control hotline (800.222.1222). Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) The attractive round purple/black berries on this plant are highly toxic. You should also consider using varieties of plants that have sensory and textural qualities as well. In large amounts, it can cause severe swelling farther down the throat. But if eaten, these poisonous plants can irritate the mouth and cause soreness. Below is a collection of 10 non-toxic, air-cleaning plants that look great and won’t send you running to the ER. Visit our children’s pages for gardening activities and information about the Campaign for School Gardening. Capture their interest with brightly-coloured flowers, scented plants, tactile leaves and tasty, quick-growing, edible plants. The Hoya Carnosa isn’t technically a succulent. To learn which plants are poisonous, head to your local poison center, suggests Cathleen Clancy, MD, associate medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, DC. Teach children not to play with or eat plants; Use gloves when pruning or weeding and keep skin covered; Teach children that if it is not a food plant or crop, do not eat it; Teach children what parts of an edible crop they can eat e.g. Despite of the potential danger a peace lily poses, it's still a good choice as a houseplant. Instead, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately for information on what to do. What will children learn by growing plants from seed? ChilliesIf your child puts a chilli in her mouth or touches one then rubs her eyes, it could be uncomfortable or even painful. You can also get a list of poisonous plants from your nursery or local council. The culprit? Allowing kids to play with plants will mean setting a few ground rules in the beginning. you can't eat tomato or potato leaves or flowers. Cacti and other succulents (fleshy plants) Children can cut themselves or injure their eyes on the spikes. 2. If you have a fresh packet of morning glory seeds from the nursery, keep the kids away until the flowers start to grow. Teach children to recognize poison-ivy and other dermatitis-causing plants 5. Plants such as sunflowers, corn and pumpkins are good examples. Opt for plants that are easy to grow, look interesting, and are tolerant of environmental conditions such as, ahem, lack of water. These include agapanthus, autumn crocus, clivia, daffodil, hippeastrum, hyacinth, lily of the valley, tulips and some irises. Grevilleas (especially ‘Robyn Gordon’ and Robusta) Some grevillea species can trigger itching, redness and rashes if children have an allergic reaction on contact. Peace lily is considered one of the top 10 houseplants for cleaning the air, and it is simple to grow and maintain.If you keep the plant out of the reach of children and pets, or only grow it after the child is old enough to avoid eating the leaves, a peace lily makes a fine addition to a houseplant collection. Types meant for drying, such as pinto, kidney, and black beans, stay on the vine until the pods become brown – they … Gardens are generally safe and interesting places, and children often love spending time in them. Inspiring children to enjoy plants and gardening can give them a healthy hobby for their whole lives. All rights reserved. Pothos is another highly popular houseplant, with pointed, heart-shaped leaves in white, yellow or pale green. Eating these parts of the plant can cause nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions, fast heart rate, fever and in some cases death. The good news is that most houseplants are safe for infants and toddlers. However, if you suspect that a child (or adult) has eaten quantities of any of these plants (or any of their parts), or if you notice symptoms such as illness or dermatitis after handling these plants, call your Poison Control Center for additional information: (800) 222-1222. 8 Non-Toxic House Plants for Children, Cats, and Dogs 1. But there’s one thing you might have missed. Here’s what you need to know about these common but poisonous plants that may be in or around your home: Plenty of families have pots of philodendron scattered around the house, since they’re among the easiest to care for. A fast-growing climber, English ivy is commonly found in people’s homes, on building exteriors and under trees as a ground covering. It can also lead to a drop in blood pressure, though the American mistletoe appears to be less toxic than the European species. Thanks to their stunning, colorful blooms, azaleas decorate many home lawns and gardens. Reports of serious perforation injuries to the ear canal from spiky leaves which can readily pierce skin too. And with all those things going in baby’s chomper, creating a safe nursery is essential to your baby’s health and your sanity. It lives... Aluminium Plant. Be sure to place any poisonous plants (as well as low-hanging plants in large pots) out of kids’ reach. 10 child-friendly indoor plants for your home. Start by planting two plum tomato plants in the back of the garden, leaving two feet between them. While the blooms aren’t dangerous for kids, their seeds are—which is why they’re on our list of poisonous plants. 2020-07-14. White cedar tree (Melia azedarach) This is a native tree. Hawaiian Ti Plant - How to Grow Care Guide A Ti plant, Cordyline terminalis, is one of the most colorful foliage plants you can purchase. Kids can harvest snap, string, or French beans for eating raw or cooked. Yucca. Peace lilies are hardy plants with dark green leaves and white flowers, and are popular among homeowners with less-than-green thumbs. Indoor Plants for Children You should consider a couple of things when choosing houseplants for kids to grow. But gardens aren’t always designed with children in mind. While the boughs don’t pose a danger, the berries are toxic, and eating even just two can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and drowsiness. Foxglove is extremely toxic, and eating any part of the plant can cause the heart rate to become dangerously slow or irregular. According to Caring for Our Children Standard 5.2.9.10: Prohibition of Poisonous Plants, poisonous or potentially harmful plants are not allowed in any part of a child care facility. As diehard plant lovers, we’d like all plants to be safe for everyone, but some are surprisingly toxic to kids and pets. “We don’t usually think about the plants that live in and around the house and how they can pose a risk to our little ones,” says Katie Friedman, MD, a Florida-based pediatrician and cofounder of Forever Freckled. Back. Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner. Do not rely on pets, birds, squirrels, or other animals to indicate non-poisonous plants. However, some plants and seeds can be harmful when eaten or touched. They are also safe in the sense that each has a soft texture with … If you’re unsure whether the plants in your garden are safe, ask your local nursery for advice. 3. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia genus) Eating this plant can irritate the mouth and cause swelling, although it won’t do any permanent damage. The table below is an illustrated list of selected plants. If you want to grow succulents, choose plants without spines such as Agave attenuate. Can cause serious injury especially to the joints and tendons in the … Safe Plants (by common name) A note on "safe" plants : The plants on this list are generally believed to be safe. Safe for children? Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. It’s native to the northern Mediterranean. So, kids can get sick if they eat the berries. Find out the names of the plants. Pole beans are great for creating child-friendly structures like tepees and tunnels. In front of the basil, plant two parsley plants, leaving six inches between them. They're poisonous if you eat them fresh from the branch. Fence off or remove any suspect plants until your child is old enough to learn not to eat strange plants (usually at around the age of three years). Plant selection for children Children like large, brightly coloured flowers and vegetables that grow quickly. If she’s experiencing any difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat, your first call should be to 911, as she could be suffering from a life-threatening emergency, and time is of the essence. ), hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10, weigela (Weigela spp. A chemical similar to LSD, and if a child eats enough of them, they can lead to a variety of symptoms that require medical attention, from diarrhea to hallucinations. “Even if they put a small piece of a poisonous plant in their mouth, it typically don’t taste very good, so a child will usually spit it out and will very rarely go for a second helping,” Friedman says. People have died after mistaking hemlock for wild carrots. 1,984 Fans Like. Christmas Cactus. “Touching or ingesting a poisonous plant may lead to a simple skin reaction or upset stomach. If Head Start management … Known for their lovely white bulbs, Easter lilies are often brought home in beautiful bouquets. List of Child Safe Plants African Violet. It’s native to the northern Mediterranean. Sticky weed or asthma weed (Parietaria judaica) This can be associated with asthma attacks and can cause skin allergies. Quick facts. When camping or picnicking - only eat wild plants if you know FOR CERTAIN what they are. Best in zones 3 through 9, American violets ( Viola spp.) Do not allow children to make “tea” from leaves or suck nectar from flowers 6. “Even if they put a small piece of a poisonous plant in their mouth, it typically don’t taste very good, so a child will usually spit it out and will very rarely go for a second helping,” Friedman says. Valley, tulips and some of the following poisonous plants and seeds are used bush. Comfort since the seeds within the berry the Wax plant is an non-toxic... 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