PlantFunGarden Croton Toxic?
All parts of the plant are toxic, with the highest concentration of irritants found in its colorless sap
Contact or ingestion causes oral lesions, salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans and most domestic animals
It is classified as moderately toxic due to its suspected phorbol ester content
FAQ
Is Garden Croton toxic to Humans?
Oral mucosa lesions/irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, local skin rashes on sap contact (Moderate)
Is Garden Croton toxic to Cats?
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat after exposure to the plant or its sap (Moderate)
Is Garden Croton toxic to Dogs?
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pawing at the mouth after contact or ingestion (Moderate)
Is Garden Croton toxic to Horses?
Oral irritation, excessive salivation, colic, diarrhea, reduced feed intake following ingestion (Moderate)
Toxicity Details
Oral mucosa lesions/irritation, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, local skin rashes on sap contact
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat after exposure to the plant or its sap
Oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, pawing at the mouth after contact or ingestion
Oral irritation, excessive salivation, colic, diarrhea, reduced feed intake following ingestion
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • For skin contact: Wash affected area with mild soap and cool running water for at least 10 minutes
- • For ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean cool water; do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional
- • For eye exposure: Flush eyes with lukewarm running water for 15 minutes, holding eyelids open
- • Remove all remaining plant material from the affected person/animal and surrounding area to prevent further exposure
Contact Vet Immediately
- • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 2 hours after exposure
- • Visible oral lesions, difficulty swallowing, or excessive non-stop drooling
- • Lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behavioral changes in pets after exposure
- • Eye exposure that causes persistent redness, pain, or vision changes
Prevention
- • Keep the plant out of reach of children, cats, dogs, and horses, especially during pruning when sap is released
- • Wear disposable gloves when handling or pruning the plant to avoid sap contact with skin
- • Wash hands thoroughly immediately after any contact with the plant, even if gloves were worn
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Medical decontamination including activated charcoal administration for recent large ingestions, as directed by a healthcare provider/vet
- • Symptomatic care including fluid therapy to treat dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea, and pain management for lesions
- • Monitoring for secondary complications such as gastrointestinal ulceration in severe ingestion cases
Professional Toxicology
• Suspected phorbol esters act as potent irritants, causing inflammation and damage to mucous membranes, skin, and gastrointestinal tissue on contact or ingestion
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.