West Virginia Poison Center warns of indoor and outdoor toxic plants

CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) — Poisonous plants are a risk both inside and outdoors. During this pandemic, plants may be of special concern as people are spending more time at home enjoying their landscaped backyard or bringing the outdoors inside with decorative plants.

Poisonous plants can cause symptoms that range from skin irritation to more serious effects depending on the amount ingested and how the poisoning occurred.   It is important to use caution when choosing plants in or around your home.

Many people plant flowers, shrubs, and trees without knowing if they could be poisonous to their family or pets. The West Virginia Poison Center recommends homeowners find out which plants are toxic before purchasing them. Once the name of the plant is known, you can check the list of toxic and non-toxic plants on the WVPC website: www.wvpoisoncenter.org

The following are a few additional recommendations from the West Virginia Poison Center regarding plants:

Know the names of all your plants, both indoors and outdoors. Label each plant with the correct common and botanical name. Consult a local greenhouse or nursery to identify unknown plants.

Keep plants, including their seeds and blubs, and plant food up, away, and out of reach from children and pets.

Do not assume a plant is non-toxic because birds or wildlife eat it. Also, do not assume a pet can eat a plant because it is non-toxic to a human.

Do not rely on cooking to destroy toxic chemicals in plants.

Use caution with the following plants: lily-of-the-valley, azalea, rhododendron, oleander, and yew.

If you or someone you know has consumed a plant, do not wait for symptoms to appear. Call the West Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Sponsored Content