Are Succulents Poisonous?
Succulents may be trendy houseplants, but some varieties can be toxic, especially to young children. Two types to watch out for are Kalanchoe and Euphorbia.
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Kalanchoe succulents may cause mild symptoms like nausea or vomiting if ingested.
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Euphorbia succulents are more dangerous. Their milky sap can irritate skin and cause rashes. If it gets in the eyes, it can lead to pain and redness. Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling these plants.
🪴 As a rule of thumb: don’t eat your plants. Want to learn more about succulents and their toxicity? Check out our detailed succulents blog here!
If someone accidentally swallows part of a succulent, wipe their mouth with a soft cloth, have them drink some water, and call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. The call is fast, free, and confidential 24/7.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with various succulents and the video title “Are succulents poisonous?”. The Missouri Poison Center logo is in the bottom right corner.
Sound: [Upbeat, light-hearted instrumental music begins.]
Visual: Person 2, wearing a black hoodie, stands in a kitchen holding a fern in a white pot.
Person 1: Are succulents poison?
Sound: [Person 2 says “Succulents” in an eerie echoing voice with a whoosh sound effect.]
Visual: Person 1, wearing a blue “#Poison Prevention” t-shirt, appears in a different room.
Person 1: Yes. Yes they are.
Visual: Stock footage of a lot of different colored succulent plants seen from above.
Person 1: Kalanchoe and Euphorbia succulents are especially toxic, but as a general rule:
Visual: Back with Person 1.
Person 1: Just don’t eat your plants. Kalanchoe succulents,
Visual: Person 2’s head appears floating on screen.
Sound: [Person 2 says “Succulents” in the eerie echoing voice with a whoosh sound effect.]
Person 1: produce a tiny cluster of flowers with one large bloom above the stem.
Visual: Stock footage shows a large plant with vibrant, dark green leaves in a concrete pot.
Person 1: The large leaves are usually a vibrant, dark green.
Visual: Back with Person 1.
Person 1: Most varieties of the Kalanchoe plant only produce possible nausea or vomiting when eaten.
Visual: Stock footage shows a potted cactus with multiple green stems.
Person 1: Euphorbia, on the other hand, can really
Visual: A close-up of a green plant with a drop of white sap oozing from a cut.
Person 1: sap your health.
Visual: Back with Person 1.
Person 1: If you get its sap on your skin, it can cause a rash. And if you get it in your eyes, it can cause redness and pain. So it’s very important to wear gloves and eye protection when handling Euphorbia succulents.
Visual: Person 2 extends his hand into the frame.
Sound: [Person 2 says “Succulents” again in the eerie echoing voice.]
Person 1: Stop it!
Visual: Person 2 is back in the kitchen, pretending to eat the fern, then makes a disgusted face.
Person 1: If you or someone you know has ingested a piece of succulent, wipe their mouth out with a soft towel and have them drink some water.
Sound: [Person 2 coughs.]
Visual: The Missouri Poison Center logo and the phone number 1-800-222-1222 appear on screen. Text reads: “Open 24/7!” and “There’s always an expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.”
Person 1: Then give the poison center a call to talk with a specialist about possible symptoms. It’s fast, free, and 100% confidential.
