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It’s a curious contradiction: Many dream of having a hidden garden, one where flowers bloom all year long. But how many of those dreamers actually have the time or dedication to maintain such a space? That’s another matter entirely.
At the very least, almost everyone has a favorite flower—though it might be one that could kill them or their pets in just a few hours. For some, the allure of danger is simply irresistible. Just be sure to enjoy that thrill responsibly and safely.
10. Mistletoe
It’s somewhat ironic that the berries known for sparking holiday kisses are actually poisonous. While mistletoe is rarely deadly, it’s still important to get medical help if ingested accidentally—like if a child eats some during the Christmas season. Symptoms of mistletoe poisoning include nausea, blurry vision, and diarrhea.
The ancient Greeks believed mistletoe possessed the ability to enhance fertility and 'give life.' Of course, this belief didn't take into account that consuming too much of it could actually take yours. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was regarded as a symbol of peace, and even truces were declared beneath it.
Fun fact: Mistletoe is a type of partial parasite.
9. Oleander
Interestingly, many poisonous flowers are used to treat the very ailments they can cause. Take oleander, for instance: while it can slow your heart rate, it’s also used to prevent heart failure. In fact, oleander is used to treat various conditions like epilepsy, asthma, malaria, and even ringworm. Strange, isn’t it?
However, if you ingest oleander for reasons other than medical ones, you could experience stomach pain, rashes, disorientation, fainting, irregular heartbeats, and a host of other symptoms. Toxic compounds in oleander include digitoxigenin, neriin, oleandrin, and eleondroside. Despite all these harmful toxins, oleander has been cultivated into over 300 different varieties.
8. Wisteria
Wisteria is undoubtedly stunning, with its cascading blooms of pink, purple, white, or blue. But, it’s also highly toxic. Native to China, Korea, and Japan, and introduced to the eastern United States, this plant's drooping flowers are a sight to behold—but don’t be fooled by its beauty.
Consuming wisteria can lead to severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and central nervous system depression. All parts of the plant are toxic, but the seeds are particularly dangerous. It’s also highly poisonous to both cats and dogs, so be cautious about where you plant it.
7. Angel’s Trumpet
The striking flowers of Angel’s Trumpet, a member of the Brugmansia genus, are not harmless. Eating even a small part of the plant can cause intense side effects, including delirium, hallucinations, diarrhea, vomiting, pupil issues, paralysis, and in extreme cases, death.
Once native to South America, all species of these flowers are now considered extinct in the wild. However, the genus survives through cultivation, and numerous hybrids have been created.
6. Lilies
Lilies come in many varieties, several of which are toxic. Most people recognize the “stargazer” lily, which happens to be one of my personal favorites. Interestingly, there are several flowers with “lily” in their name that aren’t true lilies, such as the daylily, water lily, and calla lily.
While lilies are the fourth most popular flower globally, few are aware of just how poisonous they can be. These plants are native to the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, although the Easter lily is native to Japan.
Lilies tend to be more toxic to animals, especially cats, than to humans, but they can still be hazardous. In some cases, the sap can cause skin irritation, while in others, ingesting certain species could be fatal. The level of toxicity depends on whether the lily is a “real” or “fake” lily, as not all varieties are equally poisonous.
5. Foxgloves
Foxgloves, or Digitalis, are native to Europe and Asia. These plants contain toxic compounds like glycosides, digitoxin, and deslanoside, all of which are harmful to the heart. With roughly 20 species of this flower, also known as “Dead Man’s Bells,” it’s best to avoid eating them altogether.
Every part of the foxglove plant is toxic, but the leaves at the top of the stem are the most lethal. Even a single bite can cause delirium, hallucinations, vomiting, convulsions, tremors, and a host of other severe symptoms.
4. Azaleas
Azaleas, which belong to the Rhododendron genus, are highly toxic, especially to animals like dogs, cats, and horses. The flowers contain grayanotoxins, which can depress the central nervous system, potentially leading to coma or even death if consumed in large amounts.
Azaleas are a common sight in the Southern United States, particularly on plantations. While they mostly come from Asia, at least 26 species are native to North America as well.
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Azaleas are the national flower of Nepal and have been mentioned in ancient Chinese texts, which admire the flower’s stunning beauty.
3. Poison and Water Hemlock
Poison hemlock, a highly toxic plant with delicate, lacy leaves, is originally from Europe and Africa but has spread to North America, Asia, and Australia. Even ingesting a small amount of this plant can lead to rapid death, as it causes respiratory failure.
Water hemlock is even deadlier than poison hemlock. In fact, it holds the grim title of the most toxic plant in North America. Consuming it will lead to grand mal seizures before it takes your life. What’s truly unsettling is that it’s a fairly common plant, and you might have mistaken it for Queen Anne’s lace at some point.
Fun Fact: The plant that caused the death of philosopher Socrates was poison hemlock.
2. Lily of the Valley
Despite its delicate and graceful appearance, this flower is actually quite toxic. It contains 38 different types of cardiac glycosides, which affect the heart. While it can cause symptoms like vomiting, hallucinations, and blurred vision, the poison enters the body slowly, so there is a window of time to receive medical help before severe harm is done.
Other symptoms may include a strong headache, nausea, a slow heart rate, and excessive urination. However, if you don’t live in Northern Europe or the Americas, you needn’t worry too much, as Convallaria majalis (a lily that’s not technically a lily) thrives in the cooler, temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere.
1. Belladonna
Atropa belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, Devil’s cherries, or simply belladonna, is a highly poisonous plant that hails from Europe, Southwest Asia, and Northwest Africa. The berries it bears are particularly hazardous, leading to symptoms such as intense thirst, a dry mouth, delirium, rash, dilated pupils, and even stupor. Ingesting it can paralyze the involuntary muscles in the body, affecting critical areas like the heart, blood vessels, and digestive muscles.
Did you know? The name 'Belladonna' translates to 'beautiful lady' in Italian. This is because Italian women once used belladonna in eye drops to dilate their pupils, thinking it enhanced their appearance and gave them the allure of a 'beautiful lady'.
