Do you have poisonous plants in your backyard?
While we think wild animals and sharp rocks can be dangerous, we often forget about poisonous plants. As beautiful as plants can be, many are actually toxic—and you can encounter them anywhere, from your backyard to a simple walk in the park.
The worst part is that they sometimes go unnoticed, blending in with their surroundings, making them easy to touch or even mistake for something pretty and harmless. However, looks can kill—or at least provoke danger.
Whether you’re picking flowers for a stunning bouquet or hiking through the woods, it’s important to stay away from touching particular plants, especially if you don’t know anything about them. If you come in contact with a poisonous plant, it can cause mild irritation and even serious health issues, such as nausea, burning skin, or even poisoning if ingested.
But don’t worry, because today’s article is all about getting familiar with some poisonous plants that are more common than you think. Knowing how to spot them could save you from a painful (or even life-threatening) encounter. Want to learn more? Then, keep reading!
1. Chinese lanterns
The Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) is a dazzling plant, popular for its orange, lantern-shaped husks that house tiny berries. While people typically grow it for ornamental purposes, this plant is poisonous if ingested.
The berries inside might look delicious, but they’re rich in solanine, a dangerous compound that can cause vomiting, nausea, and even more severe symptoms if consumed in large quantities.
Its appearance is charming, without a doubt, making it easy to assume it’s harmless. You’d better keep this plant in your living room to brighten up your space, but never in your belly. It’s not good!
2. Mountain laurel
The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a stunning shrub, but don’t let its beauty fool you—it’s a poisonous plant. Known for its vibrant clusters of pink or white flowers that bloom in spring, this plant should be admired from a distance.
If ingested, this beautiful shrub can be highly toxic due to its rich content of grayanotoxins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and even severe reactions in extreme cases.
Those gorgeous flowers might make you want to get closer, but trust us—you’re better off keeping a safe distance. While it can add charm to your garden, make sure to keep it out of reach of pets and children—it’s definitely not a snack!
3. Easter lily
Another beautiful but poisonous plant that should be admired from afar is the eastern lily (Lilium longiflorum). Known for its charming blooms and sweet fragrance, this lily is typically seen in springtime celebrations.
If you have a pet at home, especially a cat, you’d better say pass to this shrub altogether. Veterinarians say that even tiny amounts of eastern lily can cause serious symptoms in your cat, like vomiting, lethargy, and even kidney failure in extreme cases. Better safe than sorry!
4. Lantana
Lantana (Lantana camara) is a pretty and colorful plant that many people have in their gardens for ornamental purposes, but it’s also a poisonous one. Popular for its lovely clusters of bright flowers in shades of orange, pink, and yellow, this poisonous plant is, without a doubt, a real eye-catcher.
Unfortunately, all parts of this stunning shrub are toxic if ingested, containing compounds that can trigger vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Not to mention, doctors say it can even lead to liver damage in severe cases.
Its beauty might be calling your name, but watch out because it’s not what it seems! If you want to enhance the look of your garden with some gorgeous lantanas, make sure you keep them away from children and pets!
5. Tansy
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a dazzling, aromatic plant you can see in multiple gardens, but let’s talk about its safety for a few seconds, shall we? This poisonous plant is known for its bright yellow button-like flowers, but remember to admire it with caution.
In case you ingest it, this toxic shrub contains thujone, a dangerous compound that can trigger symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and even seizures in extreme cases. Its beauty might be appealing, but refrain from touching it, as it can immediately irritate your skin!
6. Oleander
The Oleander (Nerium oleander) is another gorgeous but poisonous plant that should be admired from afar! You can typically find it in parks, gardens, and even roadsides, and it will be easy to spot thanks to its delicate and charming white, pink, or red blossoms.
Don’t be fooled by its innocent looks, because this poisonous shrub can immediately trick you! All parts of this poisonous plant are packed with compounds called cardiac glycosides, which can cause dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and even severe heart complications if ingested.
Experts consider oleander to be one of the deadliest ornamental plants since even a tiny amount can be harmful to humans and animals. While it can add a gorgeous touch to any space, you’d better keep it at a safe distance!
7. Jimsonweed
The Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is a stunning yet highly poisonous plant you can find in gardens, roadsides, and fields. It looks very intriguing, thanks to its spiky seed pods, sublime lush green leaves, and trumpet-shaped purple or white flowers, but don’t be fooled—it’s not safe.
Experts say that every part of this striking shrub is toxic, as it’s rich in tropane alkaloids. These compounds are so dangerous that they can easily cause hallucinations, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and even life-threatening symptoms if ingested. Even the tiniest amount consumed can be highly toxic for humans and pets.
What can we say? Jimsonweed is pure trouble, so make sure you admire its eerie looks from afar and never touch it!
8. Foxglove
The Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a charming, tall, and poisonous plant known for its bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple. You can typically find it in gardens and woodlands, and while it adds a stunning touch of magic and beauty to any landscape, it’s highly toxic.
This astonishing shrub is rich in cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and even heart failure if consumed. Even the smallest amounts ingested can be incredibly toxic for humans and pets, so admire it from a distance because it comes with an invisible warning bell!
9. Poison Sumac
The ninth poisonous plant on our list is the striking poison sumac—even its name tells you a lot about how toxic it is. This one might look like a typical, harmless small tree or shrub, but don’t be fooled—it’s dangerous!
You can find poison sumac in different areas, such as wetlands, wooded areas, and swamps, and you’ll recognize it by its oval-shaped leaves and white berry clusters. Never let kids near this poisonous plant—it’s definitely not a sweet snack!
Similar to poison ivy, this plant is rich in urushiol, an oily resin that can cause severe itching, burning rashes, and blisters upon contact. You’d better stay away from it because even the slightest brush against its leaves can lead to days of discomfort.
10. Bittersweet nightshade
The Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) may look like an ordinary shrub, but don’t be fooled—this plant is as dangerous as it is deceptive.
Commonly found in woodlands, along fences, and even in backyards, it contains solanine and other toxic alkaloids that can trigger dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and even breathing difficulties if ingested.
Its bright red berries and delicate purple flowers might seem inviting—especially to curious pets and children—but they’re anything but safe. While birds can snack on them without harm, for humans and animals, this poisonous plant is a hidden danger in plain sight!
If you need more help with identifying poisonous plants, here’s a guide you MUST check out!
Did you know about these poisonous plants? Do you have any of them in your garden? How do you protect pets or children from these shrubs? If you have any tips, please let us know in the comments below!
There are many other poisonous plants we didn’t include in today’s list, so if you’d like to know more about them, we’ll take care of part II sooner than you think!
Until next time, here’s another great post from Gardeners and Plants you won’t want to miss: 8 Delicious Water-Growing Herbs for Your Kitchen
