Kid-Safe Garden Design: Non-Toxic Plants & Hazard-Free Practices

Children and gardens belong together — but toxic plants, choking hazards, and chemicals can turn wonder into danger. A safe garden keeps the joy, removes the risk.

Non-Toxic Plant Palette

Roses, bamboo, begonias, daisies, honeysuckle, lilacs, magnolias, marigolds, petunias, violets, wild onions, zebra plants — diverse, colorful, safe.

Avoid These Toxic Varieties

Buttercups, azaleas, caladium, English ivy, foxglove, iris, oleander, primrose, tulip, wisteria.

Safety Practices

• Include kids in gardening — familiarity reduces unsupervised exploration.
• Store seeds, bulbs, fertilizers, pesticides high and locked.
• Choose non-toxic pest controls — many safe options exist.

The best safety lesson is shared gardening time.

Article by Claire Quaty.