Is Privet Poisonous?

Which parts of Privet are poisonous?

Privet should be treated as an ornamental hedging plant rather than an edible plant. The RHS lists Ligustrum, the botanical genus that includes Privet, as harmful if eaten. Both the foliage and the berries should therefore be kept away from people and animals likely to chew or swallow them.

Privet berries develop after the plant’s clusters of white summer flowers. They are usually green at first before ripening to a dark purple or black. Their appearance can make them tempting to young children, but they must not be eaten.

Wild Privet berries are eaten by birds such as thrushes. This does not mean they are safe for people, dogs or grazing animals. Birds can tolerate fruits that may be harmful to other species.

Is Privet poisonous to people and children?

Privet is harmful to people if eaten. Serious poisoning from garden plants is uncommon in the UK, but this should not be interpreted as meaning Privet leaves or berries are safe to taste. The amount swallowed, the part of the plant and the age and size of the person can all influence the risk.

A healthy Privet hedge does not normally present a danger simply by growing in a garden. The practical concern is preventing young children from picking or eating the berries and clearing away plant material after pruning.

Children should be taught not to eat unidentified berries or leaves from the garden. Where a Privet hedge grows beside a lawn, play area, school or nursery setting, fallen berries and fresh clippings should be collected regularly.

If someone may have swallowed Privet, contact NHS 111 for advice. Do not try to make them sick or give them food or drink unless advised by a healthcare professional. Call 999 where there is loss of consciousness, severe breathing difficulty or a seizure.

Is Privet poisonous to dogs and cats?

Privet is considered toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. The ASPCA identifies Privet as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with gastrointestinal upset being the most commonly reported effect. Other possible signs include poor coordination and an increased heart rate, although severe outcomes are described as rare.

Possible signs of plant poisoning in a pet can include:

• vomiting or diarrhoea
• drooling
• reduced appetite
• unusual tiredness
• twitching or tremors
• difficulty breathing
• collapse

The reaction can vary between animals, so the absence of immediate symptoms does not confirm that no harm has been caused. PDSA advises contacting your vet straight away if you see your pet eating a potentially dangerous plant rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Where a dog repeatedly chews garden plants, consider preventing access to the hedge or choosing a different species for areas where the dog is left unsupervised.

Is Privet poisonous to horses and livestock?

Privet is not a suitable choice for a paddock boundary or anywhere horses, ponies, sheep, cattle or other grazing animals can browse the foliage.

Best4Hedging specifically advises against Privet around paddocks and farmland because its foliage is poisonous to horses. Hedges Direct also includes Privet among plants that are toxic to horses.

The greatest practical risk occurs where animals can reach through a fence to eat the hedge or where cut branches are thrown into a paddock. Never dispose of Privet clippings in a field, animal enclosure or livestock feeding area.

A hedge growing outside a secure stock fence may be less accessible, but the risk of animals reaching it should still be assessed before planting.

Is Privet safe to touch and prune?

The principal safety warning for Privet concerns eating the plant rather than normal contact with it. Privet can be planted, clipped and maintained using ordinary gardening precautions.

Gloves are sensible when pruning, particularly when working with large quantities of cut material or using powered hedge trimmers. They protect against scratches, blisters and contact with dirt or residues on the foliage.

After cutting a Privet hedge:

• collect loose leaves, berries and branches
• keep clippings away from children and pets
• do not leave piles where horses or livestock can reach them
• dispose of the material through an appropriate garden-waste or composting system

The complete Privet Hedge Care Guide explains how to plant, water and prune Common, Golden and Wild Privet. HPD’s current Privet range includes all three types, which differ in foliage colour, winter leaf retention and wildlife value.

What should you do if Privet has been eaten?

If a person has eaten Privet

Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth and establish, if possible, which part was eaten and approximately how much.

Contact NHS 111 promptly for medical advice. Do not deliberately cause vomiting. Keep a sample or photograph of the plant available to help with identification.

If a pet has eaten Privet

Contact your vet straight away and provide:

• the animal’s species, breed, age and approximate weight
• the part of the plant eaten
• the estimated amount
• how long ago it happened
• any symptoms that have developed

Animal PoisonLine provides a specialist 24-hour UK service for owners who are concerned that a pet has been exposed to something poisonous. Pets showing collapse, convulsions or breathing difficulties require immediate veterinary attention.

If a horse or livestock animal has eaten Privet

Remove access to the hedge or cut material and contact a veterinary surgeon promptly. Keep other animals away from the same area while the source of exposure is investigated.

Should you avoid Privet if you have children or pets?

Not necessarily. Privet is widely grown in domestic gardens, and the important distinction is between a plant being harmful when eaten and a hedge presenting a danger simply by being present.

Privet may still be suitable where children are supervised, pets do not habitually chew plants and pruning waste is cleared promptly.

A different hedge may be more appropriate where:

• a dog regularly eats leaves, berries or garden debris
• very young children have unrestricted access to fallen berries
• a hedge directly borders a paddock
• horses or livestock can reach through a fence
• cuttings cannot be kept securely away from animals

Customers comparing the available varieties can view the Privet hedging range for Common Privet, Golden Privet and native Wild Privet.