HOW TO GET RID OF A TOXIC PLANT?

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Okay, I am not happy about ever killing plants, but this one HAS to go.

It's a well developed Oleander in a large planter. It weighs at least 50 pounds and was "inherited" from the previous owner.

We put on gloves and protection and cut it to about 50% of its previous size, but it's not something that can be just pulled out of the planter and tossed.

Any ideas how to get rid of this plant? I assume it's best to also toss all the dirt once the plant is removed, but I would appreciate ANY help you can offer.

TIA!

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@Tinkrbl44 @Whatever you do, don't burn it. Oleander gives off toxic smoke.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Tinkrbl44 Why can't you just pull it out of the pot & toss it?

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

simplyfriends · ‎12-24-2010

@Tinkrbl44 It's complicated! I looked it up cause I'm curious also. It's the milky substance that's toxic. There's 8 steps to safely remove it and dispose of it.

Do you want me to post it here or did you find something?

Maybe you could have someone come pick it up??

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

If you don't need the pot then just toss the entire thing in the trash, dirt and all.

RoughDraft · ‎03-09-2010

Pour bleach on the root area.

~The only difference between this place and the Titanic is that the Titanic had a band.~

simplyfriends · ‎12-24-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 Why can't you just pull it out of the pot & toss it?

@Mz iMac she's being cautious because the plant is toxic and in some areas you can't put in your green waste

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

If you reuse the soil in that pot then it could contain some compounds from the oleander which might affect the growth/germination of other plants where that soil is used.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 Why can't you just pull it out of the pot & toss it?

@Mz iMac

Can't. The plant is much bigger with a more developed root system than originally thought.

I really wanted to keep the planter, expensive, about 24" across, but now suspect I'll have no choice but to toss the whole thing.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@simplyfriends wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 It's complicated! I looked it up cause I'm curious also. It's the milky substance that's toxic. There's 8 steps to safely remove it and dispose of it.

Do you want me to post it here or did you find something?

Maybe you could have someone come pick it up??

@simplyfriends

Where did you find the 8 steps?