Eastern Poison Ivy

Toxicodendron radicans L.) Kuntze

Family: AnacardiaceaeZones: 4a-10b

Skin Rash on Contact
Oil Spreads on Fur
Never Burn

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

all parts (leaves, stems, roots), living or dead

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

skin allergic reaction (urushiol dermatitis), inhaling smoke from burning the plant (NC State, UF/IFAS)

Hazard route

skin

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Sources disagree

washing after contact: UF/IFAS EDIS EP220 says Wash with warm, soapy water, then rinse thoroughly with plain, cool water. This is the value shown first for Florida.. Others: Clemson HGIC says Washing with running water is recommended; soaps that contain oils, such as complexion soaps, can spread the oil and make the rash more widespread..

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Cats, dogs and horses: The ASPCA lists the poison ivy genus (Toxicodendron) as non-toxic if eaten, but that page covers the genus, not this species, so we do not call it safe and show 'not verified for this species'. The pet risk the ASPCA does name is indirect: the oil (urushiol) can stick to fur and pass to people who touch the animal. People, contact: urushiol is in all parts of the plant (NC State, UF/IFAS, Clemson). Clemson adds that the oil can remain active for months on objects and that a dead plant stays active for about two years. People, if eaten: not verified; no source we read addresses eating this plant. Never burn it: NC State says contact with smoke from the burning plant can be just as toxic as touching it, and breathing the smoke can be even more hazardous. UF/IFAS says smoke carries oil particles that can be inhaled and cause lung irritation.

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

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Poison oak, poison sumac and poisonwood. To tell them apart: UF/IFAS: poison ivy has three leaflets per leaf and white berries; poison oak has three lobed leaflets that resemble oak leaves and is a low shrub; poison sumac has 7-13 leaflets in pairs with ivory-white berries in loose clusters; poisonwood is evergreen with oval leaflets and resin blotches, found in South Florida, especially the Keys.. UF/IFAS says all four contain urushiol, so treat any of them as the same rash hazard.

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: USDA 4a-10b
Mature size: NC State: a deciduous shrub or woody vine, anywhere from 1 to 150 feet tall and 1 to 10 feet wide.
Where it comes from: Southern Canada and North America to Central America, and central China (NC State).

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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