They boost our mood and beautify our homes. Indoor and outdoor plants have many benefits, but some should come with a warning. Certain plants can be poisonous for humans and animals alike. Avoid the plants on the list below if you have children or pets.
There’s no safe way to tell if a plant is poisonous just by looking at it or smelling it. Learning which plants can cause harm can help you protect yourself, your family—especially children—and your pets. See IPC’s list below to find out which plants to avoid.
IPC urges parents and caregivers to keep an eye on children if they are playing in an area with potentially poisonous plants. Also, teach children that they should never put any plants or berries in their mouth without asking caregivers first.
This extremely poisonous plant takes its name from the Italian word “beautiful woman” and is also known as deadly nightshade. The plant produces several highly toxic and potent psychoactive chemicals. All parts the plant are toxic. Parents and caregivers should keep children away from the plant. Children may be drawn to the plant’s sweet, purple-black berries.
By handling the plant, you can absorb its toxins through the skin or experience dermatitis.
Used in rock gardens, this plant can cause mild to moderate symptoms if ingested and skin irritation/rash if skin exposure occurs.
All parts of this high-climbing evergreen vine are toxic: bark, flowers, fruit, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds and stem.
Also known as thornapple, this summer annual spreads by reseeding itself. The plant’s leaves have a bitter rank odor. All parts of jimsonweed are toxic but especially the seeds and leaves. This plant may be abused for its psychoactive effects.
Larkspur is both an annual and perennial plant found in woods, fields and home gardens. All parts of the plant—the flowers, leaves, seeds and stems—are toxic if swallowed.
Plant toxicity can vary based on seasonal changes and field conditions. Young, early plant growth is thought to be more toxic. As the plant matures, it typically becomes less toxic.
Ingesting any part of the plant is highly toxic to humans and animals. Children and pets may be attracted to the plant’s red berries. Ingesting a small amount of the flowers or berries or any other part of the plant can lead to symptoms.
This highly toxic plant contains a naturally occurring compound called aconite that, if ingested, can poison the central nervous system and lead to death. All parts of the plant—leaves, stems, flower petals, stamens and roots—are toxic. Sudden death from severe cardiac arrhythmias can occur due to the disruption of the nerves that control the beating of the heart.
This common field plant contains toxic seeds. Ingesting an excessive amount of these seeds can have several serious effects. The seeds of this plant have been abused for their psychoactive effects.
A small amount of this plant can be toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant, including the bark and berries, are toxic. Ingesting oleander affects the heart and digestive system.
This common landscaping plant contains toxic chemicals in the leaves, flowers and nectar. Toxicity levels are not the same across rhododendron species, but the Rhododendron ponticum is particularly concerning.
There have been cases of human poisoning are from eating honey that has been contaminated with the pollen from rhododendron by the bees that make it. This a condition known as “mad honey disease.”
This common evergreen shrub has several toxic parts: needles, bark and berry seeds/pits. Ingesting the leaves weakens the heart and may even cause it to stop, resulting in sudden death.