Warning: This Native Vine Can Harm Your Dogs and Cats

An otherwise beloved plant was recently thrust into a negative light after a dog in Washington, D.C., died from ingesting its flower petals. The tragedy has sparked concern nationwide, with some groups rallying to get it banned from landscaping altogether.

But Carolina jessamine is also a beneficial native plant, common in the wild and in many yards. Its cheery flowers are important to pollinators, including bumblebees and blue orchard bees. It’s also far from the only plant in our yards that is toxic. The long list of those includes everything from azaleas to daffodils.

Here’s what to know about the dangers of Carolina jessamine and how to mitigate them to keep your pets and children safe.

What Is Carolina Jessamine?

Carolina jessamine, aka false jasmine, yellow jessamine or Gelsemium sempervirens, has become popular in landscaping because it is low-maintenance, fast-growing, has attractive yellow petals and helps sustain local wildlife, including bees and hummingbirds.

What Does Carolina Jessamine Look Like?

Carolina jessamine is a twining, vining plant with slender, pointed leaves. In landscaping, it often hangs from walls, fences or trellises. In the wild, it can be found growing up tree trunks in wooded areas and thickets.

“Its evergreen foliage stays attractive even through the winter months,” says farmer and florist Jessica Chase. “Come early spring, the plant bursts into cheery yellow flowers with a sweet fragrance reminiscent of honeysuckle.”

Where Does Carolina Jessamine Grow?

Carolina jessamine is native to the southeastern United States, most commonly from Virginia to Texas, in USDA Zones 7 to 10.

Is Carolina Jessamine Safe?

No, all parts of the plant contain a neurotoxin. If ingested, even a minor bit can be dangerous or lethal for a small dog or cat. Ingesting it is also hazardous to children, adults and livestock.

In the case of the dog in D.C., Goose, a 2-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo, was playing in the courtyard when he ate the yellow petals. Within minutes, he was fatally ill.

“There are several reports that the toxins of Gelsemium sempervirensis, or one of its related species, have been the source of various fatalities, including such that were under criminal investigations,” says Michael Gruenstaeudl, an assistant professor at Fort Hays State University. “Hence, the news that a dog died from eating this plant is, unfortunately, very much possible.”

Sometimes, prompt veterinary treatment can save a pet’s life. But that is far from guaranteed since the toxins are absorbed rapidly and symptoms progress quickly.

Why Would Pets Eat Carolina Jessamine?

Puppies and younger dogs are especially prone to chewing plants indiscriminately when teething and exploring the world. Carolina jessamine’s bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and sweet scent can capture a pet’s attention, says veterinary physiotherapist Lucy Miller.

“Sometimes pets eat plants out of boredom, nutritional deficiencies or even just for the texture and sensory experience,” says Miller. “Unfortunately, they cannot distinguish which plants are safe and which are toxic based solely on their appearance.”

Still, according to the ASPCA, plants are only the sixth most common type of toxin pets commonly encounter, accounting for 8.1% of exposures. Human medications and food/drinks, including chocolate, gum, grapes, and protein supplements, account for more than 60% of poisonings. Rounding out the top-10 list include household products, rodenticides, insecticides and recreational drugs.

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Carolina Jessamine?

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If there’s a chance your pet has eaten any part of a Carolina jessamine plant, don’t wait for symptoms to manifest or try home remedies. Instead, try your best to get the plant parts out of its mouth, rinse it with water and then seek immediate veterinary emergency care. Your pet can rapidly develop severe respiratory issues, so time is of the essence.

Your vet may perform a vomiting procedure and administer charcoal to reduce toxin absorption. They may also provide oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids and other medications. In case of a delayed reaction, they’ll likely also do blood work and 24-hour monitoring.

How to Keep Your Pets Away From Carolina Jessamine

Carolina jessamine is a fast and aggressive grower, which can cause it to spread quickly in your yard. Regular pruning and physical barriers such as fencing, cages or netting will help keep it manageable. Deterrents like bitter sprays can also discourage chewing. Also, remember that even if Carolina jessamine is growing on an overhead trellis, out of reach of pets, you still need to promptly sweep up any petals or leaves that fall to the ground.

If you’re planning a garden, cross-reference the ASPCA’s toxic plant list. Then strategically plant poisonous ones in areas where pets don’t commonly play or spend time, says Chase. “Using poky mulch materials like bark or rocks at the base of the plant may also discourage pets from approaching,” she says.

Importantly, supervise pets whenever they are outdoors and practice boundary training with them, using high-value treats. “Training your pet to obey commands like ‘leave it’ would greatly help, especially with nippy dogs,” says Miller. “Another thing to do is to keep your pets mentally stimulated and exercised, so there is less likelihood of them wandering around chewing plants out of boredom.”

For cats, cat grass can offer a safe distraction as well.

Rather than strive to eliminate all poisonous plants, it’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with them, so you can keep your pets safe wherever you are. And if you have kids, a vital safety tool is teaching them about your landscape. Then they will know what plants to steer clear of, plus gain curiosity about nature, too.

How to Get Rid of Carolina Jessamine

“Carolina jessamine is a survivor, making it a tough plant to fully remove,” says Chase. Her recommendations for removal include:

• Wear gloves when cutting the plant back;
• Dig out as much of the root system as possible;
• Smooth the soil, then use a combination of landscape fabric with cardboard or mulch to starve any remaining roots of light;
• Remove any new growth immediately when it appears;
• Dispose of all plant material in the trash (do not compost it, as it can easily re-root and grow again);
• Periodically inspect your yard for any new growth or fallen vines, as even dried leaves can be toxic.

But removing Carolina Jessamine isn’t always necessary or possible. If you would like to keep it around, but make it safer for your pets, build a safe barrier or fenced-off area around it.

Other Common Plants Dangerous to Pets

Many common landscaping plants are dangerous to pets and people. “Some even double as popular cut flowers from florists, but remain toxic even after cutting,” says Chase.

Lilies, including Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, and tiger lilies, are incredibly toxic to cats and can cause fatal kidney damage.

“Especially indoor cats are often drawn to lilies because of their scent and appearance,” says Chase. “Even brushing against the pollen can contaminate their fur, and grooming afterward can quickly lead to a medical emergency.”

A few other common landscape plants Miller warns to be cautious with include:

• Oleander, of which every part is toxic and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias;
• Sago palms, which ingestion of even a tiny fragment or a single seed can cause severe liver failure in dogs;
• Azaleas and rhododendrons, which have grayanotoxins that cause vomiting, diarrhea, reduced blood pressure, coma and death; and
• Foxglove, which can injure the heart.

About the Experts

• Jessica Chase is a farmer, florist, and owner of Sierra Flower Farm in the Tahoe area. She also writes the Sierra Flower Farm Blog.
• Lucy Miller, MSc, is a veterinary physiotherapist at Step Ahead Veterinary Physiotherapy in the UK.
• Michael Gruenstaeudl, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at Fort Hays State University in Kansas. His work focuses on genetics, bioinformatics and plant biology.