Houseplants are a popular addition to homes, providing a natural touch of greenery, joy, and fragrance. They have become popular due to their ease of care and ability to thrive in low light and water conditions. However, it's important to note that some common houseplants can be poisonous and potentially deadly if ingested. It's recommended to educate yourself on the types of plants in your home and ensure they are safe. Additionally, while they may not necessarily be indoor plants, some exotic plants can also be grown in a small home garden.
Beware These Houseplants Are Poisonous And Deadly At Worst!
1- foxglove plant
Foxglove is a plant species (Digitalis purpurea) in the plantain family, native to Europe. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant for its tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers that range in color from pink to purple to white. While foxglove is highly prized for its beauty, it is also highly toxic and contains cardiac glycosides which can cause serious heart problems, including death, if ingested in large quantities. As a result, foxglove should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.
2- Hydrangea flower
Hydrangea is a flowering plant species native to Asia and the Americas, known for its large clusters of flowers in shades of pink, blue, purple, and white, depending on the species and soil pH. They are popular ornamental plants, grown in gardens and landscapes for their attractive appearance and showy flowers.
These flowers are very common in public and home gardens, but they contain a very toxic substance, cyanide. Cyanide can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, a racing heart, and low blood pressure.
3- Poinsettia plant
Poinsettia is a flowering plant species native to Mexico, known for its bright red and green leaves that are used to create holiday decorations. It is a popular ornamental plant, especially during the Christmas season, and is often used as a potted plant or cut flower. The red, showy leaves are actually modified leaves called bracts, while the small yellow flowers in the center are the plant's true flowers.
Poisoning by the milky substance in poinsettia leaves can lead to vomiting, severe diarrhea, and, in rare cases, death.
4- Purple fox berries
Stay away from this plant completely, as it produces a toxin that, in most cases, has proven fatal. Once you take a small handful of purple gooseberry in your mouth, you won't even be able to call for help because of the accelerating symptoms that start with losing your voice, then respiratory complications, digestive disorders, and severe and violent convulsions.
5- lily of the valley
Lily of the valley is a flowering plant species in the lily family (Liliaceae), native to Europe and Asia. It is known for its delicate, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom early to mid-spring and its sweet, fragrant aroma. The plant forms low-growing clumps of leaves and produces long, upright spikes of white flowers. Lily of the valley is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its fragrant blooms and attractive appearance and is also used in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions.
But a bite can cause headaches, hot flashes, hallucinations, and irritability — not to mention the red patches of cold, bumpy skin.
6- Oleander
Oleander is a flowering shrub or small tree species native to the Mediterranean region. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant due to its attractive appearance, tolerance to harsh growing conditions, and long-lasting blooms that come in various colors including pink, red, yellow, and white. The plant produces narrow leaves and clusters of highly fragrant flowers that bloom from spring to fall, depending on the region. Despite its ornamental value, oleander is highly toxic and all parts of the plant contain poisonous compounds that can cause serious illness or death if ingested. It is important to handle oleander with caution and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
7- Water hemlock plant
Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) is a highly toxic plant species found in marshy or wet areas in North America. It is considered one of the most poisonous plants in North America, and all parts of the plant contain cicutoxin, a toxic alkaloid that can cause seizures, muscle twitching, respiratory distress, and death if ingested by humans or animals. It is important to properly identify and avoid water hemlock, especially if you have children or pets who might be tempted to sample plants in the wild.
8- mistletoe
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant species that grow on the branches of trees and shrubs. It is commonly associated with the holiday season and is often used as decoration. Mistletoe has a distinctive appearance, with small, oval leaves and white, sticky berries that grow in clusters.
Mistletoe is considered a semi-parasitic plant, as it can produce its own food through photosynthesis but also draws water and nutrients from its host plant. In some cultures, mistletoe is believed to have mystical or symbolic significance, and the tradition of kissing under a mistletoe sprig at Christmas time is a well-known custom.
However, it is important to note that mistletoe can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested in large quantities, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and a drop in blood pressure.
9- Larkspur plant
Larkspur is a common name for plants in the genus Delphinium, which are known for their tall spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are often grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Larkspur is also the common name for a group of plants that belong to the genus Consolida, which are also known as annual larkspur or field larkspur.
Immediately after eating any part of this attractive plant, you will experience nausea, burning in the mouth, vomiting, and a slow heartbeat. All it takes for this flower to become a killer is just six hours!
10- Wolfsbane plant
Wolfsbane, also known as Aconitum, is a plant species that is highly toxic and has been used historically in poison-making and medicinal remedies. It is found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and its roots, leaves, and flowers contain several toxic alkaloids. It is important to handle this plant with caution and avoid ingesting any part of it, as even small amounts can be lethal.