Hi there. I started a moonflower seed and it's growing! But, I wanted to know if they are poisenous or not? I think I read that they are, but I can't remember if it was this plant or a different one. I have a 3 year old and will be having a baby in the next week or 2, and we really don't want to have toxic plants in the yard.
Are you talking about a moonflower vine or a moonflower plant, (datura). They are both toxic, the datura being extremely toxic. Here are a few links to check out: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~djw/plantox.html http://kinne.net/poi-list.htm http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/vme/DrSue/poisplnt.html I grow moonflower vine, morning glory, and datura, I do not have small children, but do have pets. I have never had a problem because of these plants. If you do not feel safe growing them because of the children, then wait until they are old enough to understand to grow them.
our moon flowers poisonous Melissa I have 1yr. and almost 2yr. old granddaughters and another one due in Dec. And I also have numerous plants like foxglove, moonflower,ect... I do not plant those in the designated play area. But since my oldest granddaughter was able to walk she comes out and helps me water and she has learned that those are grandma's pretty's and we don't touch.I personally don't have a problem with them picking my flowers they love them to and enjoy watching them grow. I think it is like everything, the poisons in your house the outlets,the stove you have to teach them when they are little.BUT I WOULD NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED in an area where there is anything poisonous rather it be a plant or chemical(household cleaners).Just one persons opinion. Hope it helps. :-D www.seedsofknowledge.com/poisonflowers.html I hope I did this correctly? I found this site that has a lot of info. from plants to trees even letting you know that tomato blossoms are poisonous.
Thanks for the replies I think I'll wait till the kids are a little older to grow it in our yard. Yes, you're right Sherenity, it would be like everyting else to teach kids to stay away from.
Hi there The Moonflower is indeed poisonous. Its scientific name is the Ipomoea alba. Also watch out for the Ipomoea purpurea as this one is also poisonous. There is however also edible varities such as the sweet potato.
OOPS Made mistake posted the wrong name in my previous post. THe name of the moonflower is indeed a Datura cornigera also known as Brugmansia.
I agree, have them when the kids are older. They are really pretty but we can't be sure if the kids wn't find their way to them.
great plant but you should be careful around kids and young adults. I say young adults because if the "wrong" YA discovers or reads about morning glories being hallucinogenics they're bound to experiment.
It is best to not have poisonous plants with very small children. My 2 year old niece decided to start eating dirt at any and every opportunity. Why? I don't know but kids do the strangest things outside and I love to have her help in the garden. Seeing the plants through her eyes keeps me young. I have wisteria but it is well out of her way.
You are so right D2D It is not only children that are at risk. If you have pets, they too are at risk. I once had to take one of my dogs to the vet (This was one of my previous dogs, many moons ago) because I noticed he had problems barking - he would bark with no sound. THen the vet told me to check what plants we keep. It was then that I noticed that the bugger nibbled on the Dieffenbachia (which is also known as the dumb cane) and that affected his vocal cords. It could have been more serious had it been a more poisonous plant.