Deadly House and Garden Plants: A Look at the Most Dangerous Plants Known

It's easy to be fooled by the natural beauty of a plant. After all, we consume many plants daily as part of a regular diet. As beautiful as some of these plants are, some are just plain killers. And, the killers are not limited to the plants growing in the wild. Instead, these deadly plants can be anywhere from our home to our garden to any other outdoor area. These plants are not always top to bottom toxic. Sometimes it's only the bulbs or the leaves that are toxic.

Everyone loves the look of flowers and plants in their home. Who wouldn't? The burst of color and smell can automatically cheer up even the most drab rooms. Surprisingly, there is more than one plant that could be in your home that is a potential killer. One, is the Daffodil. The bulbs of a daffodil can be deadly. If consumed they can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Include with the bulbs of a Daffodil, the bulbs of a Hyacinth and the bulbs of a Narcissus. Both cause the same symptoms as a Daffodil and both can also cause death.

The leaves and branches of the Oleander can affect your heart. They are considered highly poisonous, especially to young children and pets and can cause trauma to your digestive system. Excessive saliva and stomach pain are a few of the common symptoms associated with this toxic plant. In rare cases, this plant can cause coma leading to death.

The Dieffenbachia and Elephant ear are top to bottom toxic. Consumption can cause the tongue to swell enough to block airways preventing a person or pet from breathing. In addition to the swollen tongue, these plants can also cause a very painful, sever burning in the mouth. These symptoms are enough to cause death to a person.

The seriousness of toxic plants isn't limited to plant parts. Even certain seeds can pose a potential risk. For example, a single Rosary Pea can be fatal. They say it is unlikely to be dangerous if the seed swallowed is raw and in one piece. I still don't believe I'd leave these lying around. Same goes for Castor Beans. It only takes a few to produce a reaction in adults that can lead to death. Although rare, it has happened.

What about the plants you have in your garden? There's plenty of these that can be deadly as well. Take for example the beautiful, purple Larkspur. This plant in a seed or young state can cause serious health related problems such as depression and digestive problems. This plant has been proven deadly and should be respected for it's potential risks.

Lily-of-the-Valley is another garden plant not to be taken lightly. This plant has toxic leaves and flowers and can lead to more than one health problem. These include irregular heart beat, mental confusion, and digestive problems.

Add to the symptoms of Lily-of-the-Valley, the leaves of the Foxglove. In addition to producing the same symptoms as the Lily-of-the-Valley, the Foxglove has been proven to be deadly.

Even vegetable garden plants can be deadly. The leaf blade of a Rhubarb can cause convulsions and coma that can lead to death. Although most adults know not to consume large amounts of this, children are most at risk since they do not always understand the risks associated with these plants.

There are many, many more deadly plants out there, not necessarily in your home or garden. They may be growing in the woods behind your yard or around the tree in your yard. A few of the more deadly include Daphne, Rhododendrons, Red Sage, Yew, Wild Cherries, Moonseed, Mistletoe, Hemlock, and Nightshade.

If you know a plant is toxic, it's best not to have it in your home or garden. When in your yard or wooded areas, it's best to steer clear of unknown plants no matter how beautiful they are. Just because it's pretty, doesn't mean it's safe.