9 Deadly House Plants (PHOTOS)

Got a curious kid or hungry pet? Many potted plants and cut flowers that people love to keep around the home are actually quite poisonous if ingested. While most house pets and children don't go around regularly munching on plants, it's still a good idea to be aware of any in your house that may pose a risk, this way you can at least put them in harder to reach places and keep an eye on them, or buy something safer instead.

Here are 9 dangerous plants that you might have in your home!

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Daffodils

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Daffodil is a name commonly applied to all varieties of Narcissus flowers. Daffodils are highly toxic, especially if the bulb is ingested. They can cause intense stomach problems, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. When eaten, they can also cause high blood pressure, tremors, and irregular heartbeat. In some cases, ingestion of the bulbs can even be fatal. Daffodils are toxic to both humans and pets.

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Daffodil is a name commonly applied to all varieties of Narcissus flowers. Daffodils are highly toxic, especially if the bulb is ingested. They can cause intense stomach problems, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. When eaten, they can also cause high blood pressure, tremors, and irregular heartbeat. In some cases, ingestion of the bulbs can even be fatal. Daffodils are toxic to both humans and pets.

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Top 5 Surprisingly Poisonous House Plants

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Comments

[burtmckinly]

06:38 AM on 05/18/2010

More information on Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane: http://anthrome.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/araceae-dieffenbachia-seguine-spotted-dumb-cane/

[Jay in Austin]

02:05 PM on 05/17/2010

Yawn - I've been seeing lists like these printed in newspapers from time to time since back in the 1970's ! How about listing some REALLY dangerous things like cyanide, arsenic, ammonia, bleach, insect poisons, gasoline, and oven cleaners ! Better yet, how about showing that you can cut your cleaning costs by 75% or more simply by NOT buying most of the "new and improved" cleaning products, gadgets, gizmos, and doo-dads. Just saying.

[mrm3]

01:33 PM on 05/17/2010

This should read: "Deadly House Plants for Stupid Dogs Who Eat House Plants"

[nikanj]

12:32 PM on 05/17/2010

Another 'not a houseplant but deadly' one not listed is lily of the valley.
I think i heard a case of a toddler drinking the water out of a vase of lily of the valley
and becoming desperately ill.

[deruo]

11:45 AM on 05/17/2010

At least now I know the reason that squirrels will dig up but toss away daffodil and iris bulbs but eat the tulip bulbs.

[ramal]

09:40 AM on 05/17/2010

It's a jungle out there.

[cloudjungle]

09:29 AM on 05/17/2010

I guess the people that put this together don't know the difference between poison and irritant. Aroids (Dieffenbachia and Philodendron) have calcium oxalate crystals. So do many fruits and vegetables. These crystals are not poisonous but irritate the soft tissue if chewed. All Aroids have these and many Aroids are eaten daily around the world. Taro being only one. They are not deadly. Dieffenbachia got it's common name 'dumb cane' since when ingested it swelled the larynx and made one unable to speak for a while.

It might be a good idea to teach your children the truth about the natural world as opposed to putting out some 'Deadly Houseplant' list that just reinforces many people's disdain for nature.

[Matt Sewell]

03:26 PM on 05/17/2010

Exactly. Poinsettia and mistletoe are really poisonous. Diffenbachia and Philodendron not so much.

[cloudjungle]

04:28 PM on 05/17/2010

Actually Poinsettia are not poisonous either. This has long been assumed to be the case but recent studies have shown that to be untrue. Many Euphorbia have a milky sap that is considered an irritant but I'm not sure any are outright poisonous.

[samifloo]

07:47 AM on 05/17/2010

I really think so many posters just are too lazy to read. First line, "Got a curious kid or hungry pet?" Nothing in the article is suggesting that an adult is going to chow down on these plants.

[poco767a]

04:17 AM on 05/17/2010

You missed the Castor Bean plant

[LastAngryWoman]

08:08 AM on 05/17/2010

No kidding. That's a good one!

[jingles32]

02:45 PM on 05/17/2010

And Datura (one common name being Angel Trumpet). Also Easter lilies (toxic to cats) which if ingested can cause kidney failure with hours, and death within days. Treatment within 6 hrs. of ingestion is essential.

[nikanj]

07:25 PM on 05/17/2010

I raise lilies and cats. The cats eat the voles which eat the lily bulbs.
Have never had a problem with the cats eating the lilies but it's good
information to know. Guess they prefer catnip, although it's impossible
for me to grow it, the stuff doesn't have a chance, I have to buy from others.

[RubalKhali]

04:12 AM on 05/17/2010

They forgot the most dangerous plant of all, the G.W.Bush. Causes extreme nausea, vomitting and stupor. Deadly to many without ever having come in contact with him.

[eyelashviper]

12:40 PM on 05/17/2010

Perfect, have to fan you for this one! (also known as shrub, arbusta).....we should have had some of the Roundup extra super duper powerful to deal with this devious plant in 2000.

[hippie4ever]

03:31 AM on 05/17/2010

I'll have to keep in mind that house plants aren't for salad.

[rblackbird]

02:47 AM on 05/17/2010

Thank God, I can keep eating my rhododendrons.

[Lulubelle1]

02:42 AM on 05/17/2010

I have every plant in this list! Dieffenbachia and philodendron I knew about, as well as others not listed here.

But I had no clue about azaleas, irises, etc.

One note, though. I don't believe that the aloe plant is poisonous if ingested, or an irritant to stomach and intestines. I know two people who put aloe into a blender with other ingredients to make a morning juice drink, and one of them has experienced a complete recovery from his ulcers.

It's anecdotal, and I'm not recommending it. I just have a hard time believing it's poisonous or irritating.

[nickmagoo]

05:15 AM on 05/17/2010

the article mentioned the exterior of the plant is harmful, not the inside of it, where the aloe gel is located that is used for many remedies.

[freeforall1]

01:40 AM on 05/17/2010

This post is for people with kids or stupid people.

[poco767a]

04:16 AM on 05/17/2010

or pets

[LastAngryWoman]

08:11 AM on 05/17/2010

My cat just ate some philodendron this weekend. Oy. o.O

[mackiemary]

12:54 AM on 05/17/2010

how much of these plants would need to be ingested to cause toxicity to pets? Anyone know /

[yannb]

03:03 AM on 05/17/2010

For the daffodil bulbs, roughly 3 good size bulbs. For philodendron, at least 20 lbs of leaves within a 12 hour period.

[mayrose]

07:33 AM on 05/17/2010

Depends on the size of the dog, small dogs can take less, of course. With cats just assume that everything is toxic - they lack an enzyme in the liver so the are unable to metabolize many things from their bodies.