Gardening season is nearly upon us, and if you have a green thumb, you’re probably dreaming of laying out your flowerbeds and containers. If you have young ones around, you may want to take a few precautions to eliminate the most poisonous plants from your landscaping, and practice child safe gardening.
If you think your child has ingested a poisonous plant, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers immediately at (800) 222.1222.
The following is a partial list of poisonous plants you may want to avoid when cultivating this spring.
Boxwood: When ingested, boxwood may cause diarrhea, convulsions and respiratory failure.
Calla Lily: If eaten, calla lily causes swelling of the mouth, stomach pain, diarrhea and death.
Cyclamen: Causes convulsions and paralysis when eaten.
Daffodil: Causes digestive distress and convulsions and may be fatal if swallowed.
Dumbcane (Diffenbachia): These popular broad-leaf plants may cause oral swelling and irritation of the mouth. Severe swelling may be fatal.
Elephant Ear: Swallowing sap may lead to diarrhea, nausea, burning and swelling of the mouth and throat.
Hyacinth: Ingesting these flowers may cause diarrhea, vomiting and can cause death.
Iris: The leaves and blossoms of these common early-blooming flower may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.
Larkspur: May cause upset stomach, can cause death.
Oleander: Affects digestive and circulatory system, and may be fatal.