Plants That Can Kill: 101 Toxic Species to Make You Think Twice

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by Stacy Tornio

If a child or pet eats this, it may numb their throat and vocal cords! It contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause swelling in the mouth and throat, possibly for a couple of weeks. The sap also irritates skin.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  There are other, better houseplant options if you have small children or pets who nibble houseplants. Because of the irritation the sap can cause, it’d be better to skip this one.

  ENGLISH IVY

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  Here’s another vine that is a staple in the houseplant world. Actually, it’s a staple in many gardens, too. It can reach crazy heights of 80 feet in an outdoor setting. Indoors, it can trail quite a bit, too, especially if it has something to grow up or around. Inside, it’ll be looking for a lot of light. But if you take it outside, it can actually tolerate a lot of shade.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name English ivy

  Botanical Name Hedera helix

  Height up to 10 feet

  Spread up to 10 feet

  Foliage Green

  Light Needs High

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts All parts, including the vine, leaves, and berries

  BE AWARE

  If ingested, humans or animals might experience difficulty breathing, convulsions, vomiting, and paralysis or coma in extreme cases! Outside, the plant could produce berries, too, so that’s another thing to watch for.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Plant it (inside or out) only if you know it’s going to be mostly out of reach of kids and pets.

  JERUSALEM CHERRY

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  This is one of the coolest houseplants you can have. Houseplants tend to be mostly green, but when you grow Jerusalem cherry, you also get these bright and colorful fruit, which look a lot like little tomatoes. You’re not going to want to eat these, though. So the lesson here is look but don’t eat!

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Jerusalem cherry, winter cherry

  Botanical Name Solanum pseudocapsicum

  Height up to 2 feet

  Spread up to 2 feet

  Foliage Rich green foliage with red fruit

  Light Needs Low to medium

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts All parts, but concentrated in the fruit

  BE AWARE

  While this plant isn’t highly toxic or deadly, the fruits can still cause some nausea and upset stomach. Plus, because of its resemblance to cherry tomatoes, it might look like the kind of thing you want to eat. Just avoid, though!

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Grow it as long as you don’t have little kids around.

  ROSARY PEA

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  The seeds of this plant are pretty popular for decorative purposes. For years, they’ve been used for jewelry like necklaces and bracelets. They are also popular in rosaries. There have been some disagreements about just how poisonous this plant or the seeds can be. However, a few deaths have been linked to it, so take that as a sign to avoid!

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Rosary pea, jequirity bean

  Botanical Name Abrus precatorius

  Height up to 3 feet

  Spread up to 3 feet

  Foliage Green with bright-red seeds

  Light Needs Low to medium

  Level of Toxicity 3

  Toxic Parts Especially the bright-red seeds

  BE AWARE

  It has high toxicity in the seeds, and if a person or an animal chews on the seeds, they may experience problems like vomiting, upset stomach, and even death in extreme cases.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Even though not all experts agree on the toxicity level, it’s one you probably shouldn’t have in your home, especially if you have kids or pets.

  PHILODENDRON

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  This is a houseplant that has been popular for years. People frequently take cuttings of this plant and easily start new ones, passing them on from one house to the next. While it’s not the most poisonous houseplant you can have, it’s one that kids and pets often touch and get into because of its trailing nature. It can make a great and easy gift!

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Philodendron

  Botanical Name Philodendron

  Height trails up to 6 feet

  Spread trails up to 6 feet

  Foliage Green with whitish or yellowish flecks throughout the leaves

  Light Needs Medium

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts It has crystals of calcium oxalate called raphides throughout the entire plant.

  BE AWARE

  If a person or animal bites into parts of this plant, it releases toxic elements, and raphides will cause immediate reactions such as difficulty breathing and swallowing.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Skip this one. Since it can grow and be trailing, it’s too easy for kids and animals to get at it.

  ALOE

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  This one might surprise you. After all, doesn’t aloe vera come from this plant? The answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean it still can’t be poisonous in other ways. There are a couple hundred different types of aloe out there, and they can vary a great deal in size and shape. The houseplant, aloe, is popular among gardeners because it’s easy to care for and has beautiful, succulent leaves.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Aloe

  Botanical Name Aloe spp.

  Height up to 3 feet

  Spread up to 3 feet

  Foliage Thick, green leaves that get spiky in shape

  Light Needs Medium

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts All parts have glycosides in them.

  BE AWARE

  If consumed, you’ll likely experience vomiting and diarrhea. The side effects are generally mild, but keep an eye on any animal who might munch on this plant, especially if they’ve eaten a lot.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Yes! Aloe is a great houseplant for most.

  BIRD-OF-PARADISE

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  If you go down to southern Florida or other tropical areas, you’ll likely see this plant growing in the wild. It gets its name from the unique and colorful bloom shape, which tends to resemble a bird’s bill. You really don’t find a lot of similar blooms like it in the wild. It’s so popular that you often see it available as a cut flower, too. It’s definitely one of the most interesting houseplants you could have.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Bird-of-paradise

  Botanical Name Strelitzia reginae

  Height up to 4 feet

  Spread up to 4 feet

  Foliage Green with very distinct and unique orange and blue blooms

  Light Needs Medium

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts All parts of the plant have a toxin, which is released when bitten.

  BE AWARE

  Dogs are most at risk with this plant. If you have one and they bite or chew it, then you might notice them drooling and staggering a bit. In extreme cases or if they’ve consumed a lot, it could be more serious.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Keep it out of reach of pets. This one is such a cool houseplant to have!

  JADE PLANT

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  The jade plant has a bit of good superstition behind it. For years, people have been giving it as a gift because they believe it will bring the receiver wealth and good fortune. So it’s a popular houseplant given for a new job, new home, etc. It also has an excellent reputation among gardeners as being really easy to care for. You don’t have to water it much, so if you have a jade plant, you can feel confident you’ll have it around for a few years. However, if you have pets at all, it might not be the best houseplant for you. Take a look.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Jade plant, money tree, lucky plant

  Botanical Name Crassula ovata

  Height up to 1 foot

 
Spread up to 1 foot

  Foliage Beautiful green succulent-type leaves

  Light Needs Medium

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts All parts, including the leaves, which are especially appealing to pets because of their small size

  BE AWARE

  Vomiting, slow heart rate, and even depression are all symptoms that might come from consuming jade. If eaten in large quantities, it can definitely be deadly to pets.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Because of its small size, it might be easier and more appealing to pets, so it’s best to skip it.

  SAGO PALM

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  If you like the idea of having your very own palm tree, then this might be the houseplant you’ve always dreamed of. These plants get much, much bigger if grown in their native tropical environment. However, they’ve been cultivated to make great (and showy) houseplants. They are considered relatively easy to grow. Plus if you have a big space to fill, it can definitely do that!

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Sago palm

  Botanical Name Cycas revoluta

  Height up to 3 feet

  Spread up to 3 feet

  Foliage Feathery green

  Light Needs Medium

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts All parts

  BE AWARE

  This plant can cause serious damage to the liver of humans or animals that consume it, and it’s been known to kill dogs who have eaten a lot of it. You might also experience vomiting, increased thirst, etc.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  You should skip this plant, especially if you have pets that like to nibble. Since the needles easily drop off this plant, it makes it readily available for pets.

  FICUS TREE

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  Love the idea of having your own miniature tree inside your home? The ficus tree is going to be one of your best bets! While all varieties of ficus are known to have a sap that can be irritating, it is still a very popular houseplant. If you have one, make sure it gets lots of moisture, and keep it in a warm area. It doesn’t do too well in cold or drafty places in the house.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Ficus tree, weeping fig

  Botanical Name Ficus benjamina

  Height up to 4 feet

  Spread up to 2 feet

  Foliage Rich, glossy green leaves

  Light Needs Low

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts All parts, especially the sap that can come out of bark, leaves, etc.

  BE AWARE

  If you get ficus sap on your skin, it might cause some irritation. If pets get hold of the leaves (which are known to drop) and eat them, this might cause them vomiting, diarrhea, and sickness.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  It’s probably fine for most homes, but be sure to watch for leaf drop, and then clean up right away.

  WEEDS, WILDFLOWERS & VINES

  “Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I am not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool, you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.”

  —Vizzini, The Princess Bride

  53. Leopard’s bane

  54. Jimsonweed

  55. Stinging nettle

  56. Tansy mustard

  57. Nightshade

  58. Castor bean

  59. Wisteria

  60. Moonseed

  61. Poison parsnip

  62. Clematis

  63. Bryonia

  64. Mistletoe

  65. Trumpet vine

  66. Water hemlock

  67. Monkshood

  LEOPARD’S BANE

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  It’s not native to the United States, but this doesn’t stop it, with its yellow, daisy-like blooms, from being a popular flower among gardeners. You can find a few different species of leopard’s bane under the botanical name of Doronicum. These plants are easy to grow in both sun and shade, which is why it’s common to see them popping up along roadsides or in the wild.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Leopard’s bane

  Botanical Name Doronicum spp.

  Zone 4 to 9

  Height up to 3 feet

  Spread up to 2 feet

  Flower Color Yellow

  Light Needs Full sun to part shade

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts All parts contain a toxin called helenalin.

  BE AWARE

  If you touch this plant, it could irritate your skin. Otherwise, you might see signs of vomiting, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Only plant it if you don’t have to worry about kids or pets who might eat it. You’ll also want to wear gloves when handling it.

  JIMSONWEED

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  It wouldn’t be uncommon to see this plant pop up in your yard, garden, or veggie bed. You might even be tempted to keep it growing because it looks relatively harmless. Plus, it eventually produces pretty purple flowers. But just say no to this one. It does have “weed” in its name for a reason. This plant can be invasive (and poisonous), so discourage it from growing wherever you can.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Jimsonweed, stinkweed, devil’s apple

  Botanical Name Datura stramonium

  Zone 3 to 9

  Height up to 4 feet

  Spread up to 4 feet

  Flower Color White or lavender

  Light Needs Full sun to part shade

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts All parts, including the sap, which can cause skin rash

  BE AWARE

  Symptoms include hallucinations, convulsions, and even coma. While it takes a lot of this to cause real damage, even breathing in the fragrance of the flowers has been known to make people dizzy. Grazing animals like cattle and sheep can die from this if they eat a lot.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Skip this one. Don’t encourage anyone to grow it. It is a weed after all!

  STINGING NETTLE

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  Unfortunately, you’ve probably come into contact with stinging nettle. It pops up in the wild, in backyards, and anywhere else you do not want it to grow. It might not look that harmful at first glance, but if your skin comes into contact with it, you’ll definitely know right away. It really does “sting” you, with the pain intensifying every second. Sure, this might seem like a pretty harmless plant overall, but it’s not one you want in your garden. Some varieties of it (one in New Zealand in particular) are even known to cause death!

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Stinging nettle

  Botanical Name Urtica dioica

  Zone 3 to 9

  Height up to 7 feet

  Spread up to 3 feet

  Flower Color Yellow, white, purple, green

  Light Needs Full sun to part shade

  Level of Toxicity 2

  Toxic Parts Tiny hairs on the leaves

  BE AWARE

  The little hairs on the leaves can break off and stick into the skin. When this happens, a little poison can enter, making it very painful to the recipient—both humans and animals.

  THE BOTTOM LINE

  Don’t plant it, and don’t go near it. It hurts!

  TANSY MUSTARD

  POISONOUS PROFILE

  This flower/weed is common throughout the United States. You’ll often see it growing along the side of the road or in meadows, but it’s easy to miss since it only grows a few feet high. This plant with bright yellow blooms is related to the mustard family. You can recognize it because it blooms in early spring, and its leaves look a lot like ferns starting to grow.

  DEADLY STATS

  Common Name Tansy mustard

  Botanical Name Descurainia pinnata


  Zone 3 to 9

  Height up to 3 feet

  Spread up to 1 foot

  Flower Color Yellow

  Light Needs Full sun

  Level of Toxicity 1

  Toxic Parts All parts, especially when the plant is small

  BE AWARE

  Animals will experience symptoms of a paralyzed tongue, and if they eat enough of it, they could become blind.

 

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