Non-Toxic Plants | Child Safe Plants: What You Need to Know

The good parent versus the garden!

There are plenty of friendly non-toxic plants you can grow around play spaces and maintain the reputation of being a ‘good parent’.

All parents want to keep their preschool children safe in the garden. After all, there are so many hazards out there. Selecting the right kind of plants can be a daunting task, especially as a large number of common favourites are toxic. However, that is no reason to throw in the towel!

List of top safe plants for the concerned parent: Very easy to grow, child safe plants

The following list is a selection of non-toxic plants for your garden. Please feel free to add other child-friendly plants to the comments section at the end of this article. It’s worth pointing out that even if it a plant is considered as ‘non-toxic’, eating large quantities of any non-food plant can result in a stomach upset. For this reason, keep an eye on small children and explain to them the importance of not eating from the garden without parental consent.

Nasturtium
A highly attractive annual flowering plant. Very peppery! Both leaves and flowers can be used in salad as cress. You can eat all parts of the plant. Seeds are bitter and may contain higher levels of toxins. So avoid if you or a loved one has a stomach complaint, such as an ulcer.
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum)
A colourful and fun, half-hardy annual. Not at all edible (foul-tasting), but non-toxic. Children love their magical opening and shutting mouths! There are some suggestions to avoid eating the seeds.
Pot Marigold (Calendula)
Great all round annual flowering plant. Very colourful and the petals can be used to decorate salads.
Amaranthus
Lovely annual flower. Children will be mesmerized by their hanging red millet-like flowers. Can be cooked and eaten like spinach.
Lemon Verbena
Fast growing perennial/sub-shrub. Although the flowers are fairly unspectacular, these plants make up for it with their lemon-sherbet scented leaves.
Chives
Onion-like, grassy clumps with attractive purple pom-pom flowers. Lovely in salad or stir-fries.
Borage
Annual flowering plant with attractive blue star-shaped flowers. Good in soups, salads and certain alcoholic beverages. Hairy, slightly prickly leaves may put off many children from consuming the plant.
Lemon Balm
Lovely mint-like perennial plant with a strong lemon sherbet scent and flavour. Makes a good tea or cold drink. Very good for aiding sleep. However, long term use of the plant is not recommended as there are a number of reported side-effects.
Canna Lily (Not to be confused with Calla Lily or Lilium! Both of these are toxic)
A favourite perennial. Produces large tropical banana plant-shaped leaves below gladioli-like flowers. Not at all toxic. Root can be eaten as a substitute for water chestnuts.
Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Lovely grassy leaves and trumpet flowers served daily. Flowers taste like melon and can be coated in batter mix and fried or eaten raw.
Dahlia
A very versatile and attractive flowering family-friendly plant, with a wide range of flower and foliage types. Only toxic if eaten in huge quantities. Flowers have a buttery smell.
Linden Tree (Lime)
Not at all toxic. The Linden or Lime tree’s leaves taste like lettuce and make a great lettuce substitute. They also contain beneficial antioxidants. The flowers can be made into a tea that is said to aid brain development.

Other non-toxic plants for outdoors

Please note: Although these are considered to be non-toxic plants, your child may experience a reaction. Be vigilant! This list may or may not apply to animals.

African Daisy (Arctotis)
A tough and colourful daisy-like tender perennial flowering plant. Non-toxic. Be careful not to confuse with toxic African Daisy – Osteospermum.
Alyssum
A lovely honey scented annual. Creates dense mats of either white, light or dark pink. Alyssum is non-toxic.
Astilbe
Exotic, feathery flowering perennial plant for shade and damp areas of the garden. Astilbe is non-toxic.
Begonia
Bright, flowering tender perennials with a variety of attractive flowers and leaves. Although this plant is not toxic to human, all parts of the plant are poisonous to many other animals.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia)
A day-glow and fiery poppy-like flower above silvery leaves. The California Poppy is used in herbal medicine. Will grow as an annual. Considered to be a non-toxic plant to humans.
Coleus
Bright and colourful leaves and easy to grow. Coleus is not toxic to humans but may be to other animals.
Cosmos
A lovely non-toxic annual flower. Large white, pink or purple flowers hovering above a mist of green leaves.
Crab Apple
If eaten in quantity, crab apples may cause stomach upset. As with all apples, be careful of seeds. They contain chemicals that metabolised into cyanide during digestion.
Creeping Jenny (Moneywort)
A lovely creeping plant with attractive yellow flowers. Non toxic.
Dandelion
A perennial flowering plant, often makes itself at home in our gardens with very little effort on our part! A good diuretic. Shouldn’t be eaten in high quantities as the leaves contain oxalates.
Daisies
A small, lawn dwelling perennial flower. The daisy poses very little or no toxicity risk.
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
The Evening Primrose is said to be edible and has medicinal benefits. It has large yellow or pink buttercup-like flowers.
Forsythia
Lovely banana skin flowering shrub. Fun fact: The plant is named after Bruce Forsyth’s great grandfather, who discovered it!
Fuchsia
A versatile perennial flowering plant. The dark red fruits can can be eaten like grapes, but may cause a dry or slightly sore throat.
Geranium
A bright, showy and rewarding tender/hardy perennial plant. Has some herbal and culinary uses.
Hibiscus
A tropical flowering shrub or herbaceous perennial. Hibiscus is not at all toxic, but some people have reported a mild allergic reaction when they have come in contact with leaves and flowers.
Hollyhock
Tall, Hibiscus-like flowers on this majestic herbaceous perennial. Although Hollyhock is not toxic, it may cause dermatitis in some people when touched.
Hosta
A luscious tropical foliage perennial plant. Possibly toxic to cats and dogs, but not generally to human. Eating Hostas may lead to a stomach upset in small children.
House Leek (Sempervivum: Hen & Chicks)
Tough, densely growing sempervivums have been used as a medicinal herb in the past. Not toxic and some people actually eat them! Not too sure myself.
Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)
A lovely shade dwelling flowering annual. The Busy Lizzie has a bitter flavour and may cause stomach upset.
Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
A small, self-seeding perennial plant with forget-me-not like flowers above small glossy palmate leaves. No toxic effects reported for this plant.
Lilac
A classic shrub with large clusters of showy, very fragrant flowers. Lilac is not toxic. They contain no compounds that will poison or affect humans.
Magnolia
One of the most beautiful flowering trees. Some varieties are non-toxic (such as the Star Magnolia) and others (such as the Southern magnolia) have highly toxic seeds. Read this article about Magnolia toxicity for more details.
Maidenhair Fern
A stately, green fern with curling throngs. Some ferns are toxic, but not this one. The maidenhair fern is not only non-toxic, it’s also a herbal remedy for treating asthma, rheumatism and even strengthening hair. I might start growing some myself!
French Marigold
Very showy yellow, orange and fiery sweet herbal scented flowers. Technically, they are toxic. However, the toxicity is very mild and usually only manifests itself as skin redness and irritation. Not to be confused with Marsh Marigold, which is poisonous!
Mountain Ash (Rowan Tree)
A commonly grown and small tree with bright scarlet berries. The berries are used in making jams, jellies, cordials and even wine. Unprocessed berries may cause a stomach upset.
Mulberry
A large tree with blackberry-like fruit. Although the leaves of the Mulberry are possibly mildly toxic with some herbal benefits, the berries are delicious! If you are thinking of planting one, do it for your grandchildren, as it can take several generations to fruit.
Palms
Tropical shrubs with a wide variety of leaves and form. Most palms are non-toxic, except the Fishtail and Caryota varieties.
Petunia
Sweet flowering annual with often scented trumpet-like flowers. Some people eat the flowers. However, eating the plants in quantity, may lead to a stomach upset.
Phlox (Perennial)
A herbaceous perennial with tall flowering spikes. Considered to be non-toxic plants. The flowers work well in salads and cakes.
Common Purslane
A succulent annual. Great in salads. Common Purslane has some health benefits.
Rose
The loveliest of the scented shrubs (in my opinion). Rose petals can be eaten. The only issue could be thorns.
Salvia
A brightly coloured and aromatic family of flowering plants. Salvias are not usually toxic, but some reactions may ensue if eaten.
Spiraea
A flowering shrub with white or pink bracts. Spiraea has been used in traditional medicine and is not considered to be toxic.
Violets
Lovely biannual flowering plants. Violets have edible flowers that look great on any salad.
Weeping Willow
A tree with hanging branches and fine bamboo-like leaves. Considered to be non-toxic plants.
Weigela
A deciduous shrub with foxglove-like flowers. The Weigela is considered as non-toxic, but not edible.
Zinnia
A bright sun-loving tender perennial flower. Very showy. Not edible, but not toxic.

Child-Safe, non-toxic plants for inside the hoME

African Violet
Soft furry leaves with pink, white or blue flowers, similar to that of the wax begonia. The African Violet is not at all toxic.
Aluminum Plant
Very interesting leaves. They do technically contain a mild toxin but are not a risk
Christmas Cactus
A lovely and rewarding spineless cactus. The Christmas Cactus is absolutely free of poisonous compounds.
Dracaena
A popular indoor palm. Dracaena is not considered to be poisonous to humans. It can cause some negative reactions in some people with heightened sensitivities.
Freesia
A highly scented bulb-based flower. No part of a freesia is toxic and safe to have in the home or garden.
Gardenia
Highly scented camellia-like white flowering shrub. Gardenias are not poisonous, but their woody stems may offer a choking hazard.
Gloxinia
Very lovely velvety leaves and flowers. Gloxinias are not a risk to humans or animals
Kalanchoe
A Succulent perennial with coral or salmon flowers. Kalanchoe is not considered to be toxic to humans but can be to cats and dogs.
Orchids
A prized indoor tropical flowering plant. Orchids such as Cattleya, Epidendrum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum are considered to be a non-toxic plant. Other varieties may be toxic.
Poinsettia
A Christmas classic. Non-toxic but some may experience a reaction if eaten.
Streptocarpus
A very rewarding and profusely flowering house plant. Considered to be non-poisonous. Read more about growing Streptocarpus.
Venus Fly Trap
A fly eating house plant. The Venus Fly Trap is not at all considered to be toxic…unless you are a small insect.
Yucca
A leafy house palm. Yucca plants are not harmful to humans, but they may be to cats and dogs.

Poisonous: Common plants to avoid!

Acorn (Oak)
Contains high concentrations of tannic acid and can be harmful to humans if eaten in large quantities.
Amaryllis
The bulb is the most toxic part of the plant.
Angel’s Trumpet
All parts of the plant are poisonous – the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous.
Anemone
Contain protoanemonin, which can lead to severe skin and gastrointestinal irritation, burning in the mouth and throat, mouth ulcers, vomiting/nausea, diarrhea, and hematemesis.
Asparagus Fern
Contact with sap can result in skin irritation. Enticing, bright red berries can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Autumn Crocus
Contains colchicine and colchicine which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, multi-organ failure and blood clots.
Avacado (leaves)
Contains persin, which some individuals can be allergic to.
Azalea
Ingestion can lead to abdominal discomfort, cramps, and even heart-related complications.
Bird of Paradise
The leaves can contain hydrocyanic acid and the seeds contain toxic tannins.
Bleeding Heart
Contains alkaloid toxins. Heart-shaped, red and white flowers may look edible to young children.
Boston Ivy
The berries are moderately toxic but bitter in taste.
Buttercups
Contains Protoanemonin. However, they are so foul-tasting, poisoning is unlikely.
Caladium
Contains Asparagine and Calcium oxalate crystals. All parts of Caladium are poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
Calla Lily (Not to be confused with Canna lily)
Ingestion can lead to diarrhea, intense burning sensations, stomach cramps, swelling to the lips, tongue, and throat.
Carnation
Castor-Oil plant
Chinese Lantern Plant
Clematis
Cotoneaster
Crocus, Autumn
Cyclamen
Daffodil
Daisy (Chrysanthemum)
Daphne
Delphinium
Elderberry (Green parts)
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
Foxglove
Gladiola
Grape Hyacinth
Hemlock (All parts of this plant are extremely poisonous!)
Holly
Horse Chestnut
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy
Jasmine
Laburnum
Lantana Camara
Larkspur
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lobelia
Lupin
Mistletoe
Monkshood (Extremely poisonous!)
Morning Glory
Mountain laurel
Narcissus
Nightshade
Oleander
Pansy (seeds)
Peony
Periwinkle (Vinca)
Poppy
Potato (Leaves and stems)
Privet
Ranunculus
Rhododendron
Rhubarb (Leaves are very poisonous)
Spider Plant
St. John’s Wort
Sweet Pea
Sweet William
Tobacco
Tomato (Leaves, stems and green fruit)
Umbrella Plant
Virginia Creeper
Wisteria (forms poisonous pods that look like runner beans)
Yew

Babies and Children with Pica and Autism

I recently received a request for a list of non-toxic plants. It came from a friend of mine who’s son has a rare disorder called pica. Pica results in an unnatural desire to eat non-nutritional substances such as soil, sand, grass and of course anything growing in the garden.

My eldest son, Samuel was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Quite commonly for children with autism, he will readily eat anything if not supervised. A constant worry to us. To a large degree, this has shaped our own choices in what we plant in our own back garden.

Of course, this problem is not limited to the parents of children with pica or autism. Babies will happily see your back garden as a finger buffet. There are so many common garden plants that could cause sickness and even death if consumed. Therefore, it is important to find out exactly which garden beauties can be considered as non-toxic plants, and which are safe.

Important advice

Although I have tried to research every plant on this list, this must still be taken as an “opinion”. Please thoroughly research each plant to ensure that toxicity levels are at an appropriate level for your children. Remember, eating any plant to excess, may result in undesired consequences. Try ‘Googling’: plant-name toxic humans.

The good parent versus the garden!