Gardens serve as valuable educational tools, offering people of all ages hands-on learning experiences that enhance their understanding of science, nature, and sustainability. While these gardens provide numerous benefits, they also pose potential risks due to the presence of certain plants that may be toxic if ingested or improperly handled.
These documents are designed to provide information on common plants in educational gardens, including information about the plant, the nature of their toxicity (if any), and practical strategies for mitigating risks. The information provided is intended to serve as a resource where there was previously a lack.
A team of Cooperative Extension staff and faculty, Poison Control staff, Arizona Department of Health Services staff, and Master Gardeners have contributed to this project. Our goal is to provide educators with essential information on toxic plants that may be encountered in gardens. By familiarizing themselves with the identification, risks, and safe management of these plants, educators can ensure an enriching environment for everyone, while prioritizing safety and well-being.
This resource includes detailed information on specific plant families and potential toxicities present. Each two page document lists plant information, toxicity for each part of the plant, signs of toxicity, and actions to take in the event of exposure. The toxicity of each plant, indicated by a color code system, is referenced below.
- Red means that toxicity was recorded in humans when ingested in small amounts.
- Yellow means that it has some indication of toxicity or irritation, but it depends on the audience.
- Green means that there is no indication of toxicity.
The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center provides services to Arizonans 24/7/365 completely free of charge. Calls are answered by board certified pharmacists who are specialists in poison information. Poison centers accept calls about poisonous plants, bites and stings, household products, personal care products and much more. Many of the cases reported are able to be safely managed at home with the guidance of poison control experts, saving callers the time and money associated with visiting the emergency department. The poison center has services available to assist callers in over 150 languages and those hard of hearing. Poison centers also accept information calls; if you have a question about something, experts are available to answer them. The poison center number (1-800-222-1222) is a national number which can be used from anywhere in the United States.