Poisonous Indoor and Outdoor Plants to Be Aware of

While many plants are beautiful, some hold a hidden danger: all or part of the plant is poisonous. In fact, the leading cause of inquiries to poison control centers nationwide are related to children nibbling on garden or household plants. So it’s important to know which plants are poisonous.

It’s vital to keep these plants far away as possible from children and pets. When pruning or repotting these plants, keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

The dangers range from mild skin irritations to severe reactions that require immediate medical attention. Here’s a list of the common names of common plants, arranged by which part of them is poisonous.

Poisonous Berries

Asparagus Fern
False Jerusalem Cherry

Poisonous Bulb

Amaryllis

Poisonous Leaves

Anthurium
English Ivy
Schefflera
Swiss Cheese Plant

Poisonous Roots

Cyclamen

Poisonous Sap

Arrowhead Vine
Croton
Crown of Thorns
Daffodil
English Ivy
Peace Lily
Poinsettia

All Parts Are Poisonous

Angel’s trumpet
Aralia
Australian Umbrella Tree
Caladium
Clivia
Calla Lilly
Devil’s Ivy or Pothos Ivy
Dumb Cane
Glory Lily
Heart-Leaf Philodendron
Lily of the Valley
Myrtle
Oleander
Oxalis
Poison Primrose
Sago Palm
ZZ Plant

Know What You Grow

Which ones are in your home or garden? Do a bit of research on each and consider if the risk they pose to children, pets or yourself (as you handle them) is worth keeping them.

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Featured image credit: “Lily of the Valley” by Randi Hausken, https://www.flickr.com/photos/randihausken/2505596762/. License by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.