These Deadly Poisonous Plants Might Be Lurking in Your Home

Anyone who ever watched the show Breaking Bad knows that common household plants can make you violently ill or even kill you. Even the most innocent looking flowers have the potential to be toxic if they’re ingested.

Sadly, the people most at risk for serious injury or death from toxic plants and flowers are the ones most likely to ingest them accidentally. Young children and household pets won’t realize that the items are poisonous and might eat them because they’re pretty or they smell good. The results of their curiosity can be disastrous.

Do you have any of these toxic plants hiding out in your home?

1. Lily of the valley

The name sounds sweet and innocent, but this common yard dweller is anything but. Lily of the valley is the exact type of plant that Walter White used to poison a child in the hit show Breaking Bad.

Lily of the valley contains toxic compounds called cardiac glycosides, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, rashes, and diarrhea. Those pretty little bells can lead to death if you’re not careful.

Next: English yew

2. English yew

Every part of this plant is poisonous except for the flesh of the berries, but the most dangerous concentration of toxins is found in the seeds. Eating them can cause convulsions, paralysis, or even heart failure.

But the scariest thing about this plant is that sometimes you won’t have any symptoms — you’ll just drop dead in a few hours.

Next: Castor oil plant

3. Castor oil plant

One castor bean seed is enough to kill a child.

People use castor oil for everything from laxatives to inducing labor, but ingesting the plant can be incredibly dangerous. Ricin is one of the most toxic poisons known to man and is abundantly present in castor bean seeds.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Left untreated, the highly toxic beans can even kill you (Walter White also used ricin to murder people on Breaking Bad).

Next: Rhubarb

4. Rhubarb

There’s no need to turn down that second slice of strawberry rhubarb pie — it’s the leaves that contain the poison in this plant, not the stalk that’s used for baking.

Rhubarb leaves are incredibly high in oxalic acid, which can lead to kidney failure in humans. It takes about 25 grams of the toxin to cause death.

Next: Foxglove

5. Foxglove

You might have these colorful flowers in your yard — just don’t leave the kids or pets unsupervised near them.

The bell-shaped flowers and leaves look good enough to eat, but they also contain a compound that’s used for treating heart failure. Ingesting too much is essentially the same as overdosing on heart medication.

Next: Oleander

6. Oleander

These fast-growing, easy to care for plants are popular with homeowners, but use caution. You only need to eat a tiny amount of this plant to get very sick or even die — just one leaf is enough to kill a child. Drowsiness, slowed heart rate, and shaking are all serious symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.

Next: Wisteria

7. Wisteria

This gorgeous purple plant won’t harm people, but the seed pods can cause diarrhea and vomiting for dogs, cats, and horses. Call the vet immediately if you suspect your pet accidentally ingested this plant.

Next: Lilies

8. Lilies

Springtime lilies look lovely on your dining room table. Unfortunately, they could prove fatal for your feline friend.

Eating a small amount of tiger lily or daylily varieties can lead to kidney failure and death for your cat. Cat owners should use caution bringing this bloom into their homes, or better yet, opt for the faux version.

Next: Dieffenbachia

9. Dieffenbachia

Sometimes called dumb cane, this tropical household plant causes serious issues when it’s ingested. Eating the leaves may constrict airways. Even touching one can lead to burning or itching thanks to needle-shaped oxalate crystals.

While the plant won’t cause more than painful irritation in adults, the effects are more severe for pet and children.

Next: Daffodil

10. Daffodil

Have a dog who likes digging? Then keep him out of the garden where you planted daffodils. Ingesting the bulbs of this common flower can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmia in canines.

Next: Hydrangea

11. Hydrangea

You probably didn’t realize that these colorful blossoms contain a common poison: cyanide. Still, you’d need to eat a whole lot of leaves, buds, or flowers before they caused any serious damage.

Next: Rhododendron and azalea

12. Rhododendron and azalea

The flowers on these plants are stunning, making them a popular choice for gardens. Just be careful about letting your little ones play near them unattended.

Eating the flower, stem, or leaf could lead to symptoms including abdominal pain, trouble breathing, paralysis, coma, or even death.

Next: Water hemlock

13. Water hemlock

You wouldn’t plant these common weeds on purpose, but they’re likely to spring up in your yard just the same.

The problem is that the hemlock’s toxin smells like carrots, which attracts curious kids and pets. Since it attacks the nervous system, ingesting even a small amount could prove fatal.

Next: Philodendron

14. Philodendron

The most common physical ailments when this plant is ingested are more annoying than dangerous. But still, severe reactions are possible, and you should keep these household plants out of reach from kids and pets. Throat swelling, difficulty breathing, burning sensations, and stomach pain are all symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.

Next: Mistletoe

15. Mistletoe

Standing under it to smooch is fine, but eating it could cause a bunch of problems. This popular holiday plant can cause slowed heartbeat, hallucinogenic effects, and digestive issues. It’s especially dangerous for your pets.

Read more: Never Ignore These 15 Hidden Signs of Danger in Your Home

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