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Potato plant poisoning - green tubers and sprouts
     
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Potato plant poisoning - green tubers and sprouts

Solanum tuberosum poisoning

 

Potato plant poisoning occurs when someone eats the green tubers or new sprouts of the potato plant.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

 

The poisonous ingredient is:

  • Solanine (very toxic even in small amounts)

 

Where Found

 

The poison is found throughout the plant, but particularly in green potatoes and new sprouts. Never eat potatoes that are spoiled or green below the skin. Always throw away the sprouts.

Potatoes that are not green and have had any sprouts removed are safe to eat.

 

Symptoms

 

Effects are mostly gastrointestinal. They are often delayed 8 to 10 hours. Central nervous system effects may occur in large ingestions. These poisonings can be very dangerous.

Symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • Delirium (agitation and confusion)
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated (wide) pupils
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations
  • Headache
  • Loss of sensation
  • Lower than normal body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Paralysis
  • Shock
  • Slow pulse
  • Slowed breathing
  • Vision changes

 

Home Care

 

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider.

 

Before Calling Emergency

 

Get the following information:

  • Person's age, weight, and condition
  • Time it was swallowed
  • Amount swallowed
  • Name and part of the plant that was swallowed, if known

 

Poison Control

 

The local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also get online poison help now at Poisonhelp.org. Just enter the product, poison, or medicine to get expert help.

 

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

 

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood and urine tests
  • Chest x-ray
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Treatment may include:

  • Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Laxatives
  • Medicine to treat the effects of the poison and other symptoms

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

How well you do depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The faster you get medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Symptoms may last for 1 to 3 days, and hospitalization may be necessary.

Death has been reported, but is rare.

DO NOT touch or eat any plant with which you are not familiar. Wash your hands after working in the garden or walking in the woods.

 

 

Open References

References

Auerbach PS, Constance BB, Freer L. Toxic plants. In: Auerbach PS, Constance BB, Freer L, eds. Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 40.

Graeme KA. Toxic plant ingestions. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 65.

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Nonbacterial food poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 762.

Meehan TJ. Care of the poisoned patient. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 135.

Nelson LS, Calello DP. Acute poisoning. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 96.

Theobald JL, Corcoran JN. Poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 94.

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            Review Date: 10/14/2025

            Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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