What are the worst poisonous plants you should never plant in your garden?
Everybody loves plants because they’re a great addition to our home, whether indoors or outdoors. Even if you might like adding some greenery to your environment, certain plants are just too harmful to you to be near. In today’s article, I am going to share a list of dangerous plants that you should avoid if you’re an amateur gardener or an expert in the world of flowers, trees, and herbage.
You will notice that most of these poisonous plants on the list are great-looking, and they also smell amazing. That’s why a lot of people are tempted to touch them. Small advice: don’t! Even pets should stay away from them because they’re too toxic. Without further ado, let’s see all the poisonous plants you should stay away from planting:
Lily of the Valley
But they’re so delicate and cute, you might be tempted to say! However, if you consume the flowers of a Lilly of the Valley, you might get dizzy and nauseated, but you will also experience terrible headaches. If, by any chance, you ingested a small amount of this poisonous plant, it’s recommended that you go to the doctor as soon as possible! Those small chimes can even be fatal if ignored.
Oleander
One of the most common ornamental plants found in the Mediterranean region, it is grown all over the world (including in the U.S) and is frequently included among the planet’s most deadly plants. Beautiful but dangerous, this plant contains a toxin called oleandrin. Compared to other plants from the list that also taste good, this one has a bitter taste which usually keeps people and pets away from it.
For this plant, there is a humorous yet fascinating legend that goes back to the era of Napoleon. It’s said that his men in Spain perished after cooking meat on oleander sticks, however, others dispute the tale and argue the meat’s reported toxicity may have been overstated. Who knows who was right? However, it’s one of the poisonous plants and you must keep it away from your garden.
Jimson weed
When eaten or breathed jimson weed, which has green leaves that are occasionally tinted purple, is extremely dangerous. Despite being used to treat hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting, it can also cause asthma and other medical conditions.
Giant hogweed
Another plant that looks like one from a fairy tale is the giant hogweed. In this case, it’s not the flower that’s poisonous, but the sap. If you touch it, it can release harmful toxins that damage your skin and make it sensitive to the sun. Severe skin rashes, scorching blisters, and permanent scarring can result from coming into contact with the plant.
Foxglove
All across the United States, people plant it for aesthetic purposes. In certain locations, it also flourishes in the wild. Its bell-shaped blooms can be white, pink, yellow, or purple, but they are often brilliant purple. Hey, don’t let its pretty colors fool you! Foxglove is one of the poisonous plants that seems to attract kids to touch them. Make sure you keep them away from it because, ingested in small amounts, it can still be toxic and disrupt the heart.
Mistletoe
They say if you kiss your dearest person under the mistletoe on New Year’s Eve, the next year will be happy and full of love. While this is a cute tradition, you might be aware of the fact that mistletoe is a toxic plant.
This plant is a parasite since it feeds on other trees and bushes. It has many branches on stout, easily broken stalks. Many times thick, the leaves are perennial. Petals are absent from its tiny yellowish blossoms. The tiny, white berries have one seed and a toxic, slimy substance within. If you have small kids or pets around, you better be careful! Ingesting these fruits can cause diarrhea or, in the worst-case scenario, can stop the heart.
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Wisteria
Wisteria is one of the poisonous plants that pose a threat to both animals and humans. Fortunately, it grows so high that it’s usually hard to reach, but if your dog is around the seed pods, watch out for their symptoms. If they start having diarrhea or they’re vomiting, go to the vet ASAP.
Daffodil
Do you have a curious dog in the house, especially one who is determined to dig holes in the backyard? Then re-think planting one or more daffodils because their bulbs contain a huge amount of toxins that are very harmful if ingested.
Diarrhea, seizures, tremors, and arrhythmia of the heart might result from eating too much.
Wild parsnip
I saw a lot of people having wild parsnips in their gardens, probably without knowing that this is one of the most poisonous plants. This plant can grow up to 5 feet tall, and like other members of the carrot family, the yellow blossoms grow in an umbrella-like fashion.
If, by mistake, you touch this plant, your skin will become more sensitive to the sun; therefore, you can get a skin rash. Apply an antibiotic cream to the area to make the itchiness and rash go away. In case the rash won’t go away in two or three days, ask for a doctor’s opinion.
Azalea and Rhododendron
Oh, and they’re so beautiful and delicate—perfect to plant near the fence. But you better don’t, because in this case, the entire plant is poisonous! Both blossom stems and leaves can cause vomiting, dyspnea, paralysis, and coma and be fatal if consumed.
If you’re not convinced that both Azalea and Rhododendron are poisonous plants, you should hear a tale from the first century BCE. Legend says that Roman soldiers who consumed mad honey made from these plants got sick without recovering. The Romans lost the war because they were too sick to fight. Oh well…
Poison Ivy
A lot of green thumbers grow poison ivy near the house because it gives shade during the warm season. And it’s so much needed, especially when the temperatures go higher than 95 Fahrenheit. It grows as a vine in the East, Midwest, and South and as a shrub in the North and West.
Living up to its name, poison ivy contains an oily sap called urushiol, which can cause an allergic reaction resulting in red, itchy, and swollen skin.
Philodendron
With a heavy heart, I must say that even if it’s one of my favorite plants to have inside my home, Philodendron is one of those poisonous plants we should stay away from. These stylish houseplants’ sap can irritate your skin and mouth, causing searing discomfort, breathing problems, upset stomachs, and swelling in the throat. Even though severe responses are relatively rare, it’s still advisable to keep children and dogs away from philodendrons.
Hydrangea
I reached the end of the list of poisonous plants, and sadly, I will be mentioning another personal favorite, hydrangea. Very beautiful and appealing to the eye, these plants that grow in tiny shrubs contain cyanide. The only difference between hydrangea and other poisonous plants from the list is that both animals and humans need to ingest a bigger quantity of it to be harmful.
…psst! If you reached so far with reading I am happy to share with you an article I totally recommend to all the rookie gardeners: 9 Beautiful Indoor Plants That Can’t Be Drowned.
