43 Poisonous Plants to Keep Away From Your Home

As its name suggests, poison ivy is a poisonous plant. It contains a sap called urushiol that irritates the skin upon contact, causing blisters and an itchy rash. Poison ivy is easily recognizable, thanks to its three-leaf clusters—that you definitely want to stay away from. One thing to note is that the plant doesn't stop being poisonous in the winter or when it's dead, as the sap can remain active even years after the plant has been cut down.

Poinsettias may be a holiday decor staple, but they are also poisonous. While their toxicity level is mild, extra care and caution is required, especially if you have pets in the home. Poinsettias contain a milky white sap and if pets or children ingest that or the leaves, it can lead to skin and mouth irritation as well as intense digestive issues.

Both the flowers and leaves on a Clematis plant are poisonous to humans and animals. They contain a toxic agent called protoanemonin that can lead to mouth ulcers, irritation, and digestive issues when the plant is consumed. Additionally, touching the plant can cause skin irritation, so make sure you're wearing gloves whenever you prune or plant Clematis.

Larkspur, also known as Delphinium, contains diterpene alkaloids which make every part of the plant poisonous—especially the seeds and any new growth. While it's poisonous to humans as well as animals, cattle are among the most vulnerable to its toxic agents. If they graze on Larkspur, it can lead to respiratory paralysis and death.

You can instantly recognize a Morning Glory's trumpet-shaped blooms. While the popular vining plant has flowers that aren't toxic, the seeds are. In fact, the seeds contain chemical compounds that make them similar to LSD. They are toxic for humans and pets, and eating them can cause hallucinations, dizziness, numbness, and digestive issues.

Aconitum is a toxic perennial plant also referred to as Monkshood, because the vibrant flower petals' droopy shape looks like a monk's hood. It blooms in mid-summer and is known to be one of the most poisonous plants because of the high content of toxic alkaloids, which are mainly located in the roots and tubers. Even a tiny ingested amount can cause death due to heart failure.

Typically purchased during the holidays, Amaryllis is a festive plant that happens to be poisonous. Keep the plant away from children and pets, as it contains licoryne and other toxic alkaloids that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. While the whole plant is poisonous, the bulb has the highest concentration of toxins.

Although not quite as poisonous as Poison Ivy, Virginia Creeper can still be harmful. It can cause skin irritation, blisters, and a rash when touched, and lead to digestive issues and abdominal pain when ingested. In addition to the leaves being poisonous, the berries are also toxic as they (and the sap) contain oxalate crystals.

This pretty perennial is found throughout the western U.S., but don't let its beauty fool you—every part of this plant is highly toxic to both humans and animals. If it's ingested, it can lead to symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, tremors, and weakness.

While birds typically gravitate towards Cotoneaster's vibrant berries, this plant can be extremely poisonous to humans and animals (cats and dogs included!). It's native to Europe and certain parts of Asia.

These common garden plants are known to be harmful to humans and pets. Keep in mind that coming in contact with its roots and leaves can irritate the skin, so it's best to wear long sleeves and gloves if you're going to be handling them.

This perennial, which is a member of the pea family and can be found across the U.S., might boast visual appeal, but it contains alkaloid chemicals, which can cause harm to humans and animals. If ingested, parts of the lupine can cause upset stomach, difficulty breathing, and even seizures.

This invasive species can be extremely harmful to pets and animals if it's ingested. Symptoms can range from vomiting to seizures if one is exposed to its toxins.

At some point, you might have spotted this toxic plant by a roadside or in an open field. It should be left alone, as its sap can cause severe rashes, blisters, and skin discoloration.

This warm-weather plant is a go-to for adding beauty to gardens, but beware since it's part of the nightshade family. The entire plant—from the seeds to the flowers–is toxic and harmful to humans and animals.

This spring perennial, which is also known as meadow saffron and naked lady, may be easy to care for, but every part of the plant is highly toxic to humans and pets. Poisoning symptoms range from diarrhea to burning in the mouth.

With green leaves—that are sometimes tinged with purple—jimson weed is incredibly unsafe when ingested or inhaled. Although used to treat asthma and other health conditions, it can lead to nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations.

Keep these colorful plants away from your children. Although toddlers and babies may find them attractive, they're toxic and poisonous (even to dogs and cats).