Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Fragrant Evergreen Vine

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

People: not researched yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

NC State Extension states plainly: 'This plant has high severity poison characteristics,' with symptoms including sweating, nausea, muscular weakness, dilated pupils, lowered temperature, convulsions, and respiratory failure from the alkaloids present in every part of the plant. No ASPCA page exists for this species to give an explicit dogs/cats/horses verdict, but Gelsemium's whole-plant alkaloid toxicity is broadly documented in veterinary poisoning literature as dangerous to animals as well as humans: treat this as a high-severity toxic plant for pets on that basis, even though the strongest single citation here is for human toxicity specifically.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Mature size: 10-20 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide when trained on a support structure, reached within 3-4 growing seasons (NC State Extension).
Family: Gelsemiaceae (yellow-jessamine family)
Where it comes from: Southeastern United States extending to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras (NC State Extension).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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