33 Poisonous Plants to Keep out of Your Home and Yard

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

Commonly found in creeks, gardens and parks, these vines or shrubs have been found to cause livestock and pet poisoning.

These gorgeous blossoms hold a secret: they’re deadly. After consumption, people may suffer from burning on their lips, mouth and throat.

While the leaves and immature fruit of this plant may be toxic, the color pods are sometimes used in wreaths and dried floral arrangements.

If anyone touches the leaves or stems, the needle-like hairs of this plant can inject formic acid into the skin. This can lead to burning and an itchy rash.

It’s not the umbrella-shaped flower itself that’s dangerous to touch, but the sap. The toxic chemicals make the skin sensitive to sunlight, leading to sunburn and blisters.

Despite its medicinal qualities, yellow dock is unsafe when left raw and uncooked. It can cause difficulty in your breathing as well as heart issues. It’s also unsafe for dogs.

Rosary peas are found in tropical areas and are often used in prayer rosaries and jewelry. While the seeds aren’t dangerous on their own, if cracked, broken or chewed, they have poisonous effects.

The nicotine and anabasine contained in this popular plant is fatal when eaten. Nicotine is widely consumed around the world despite it being psychoactive and addictive.

Breaking Bad fans will remember that Walter White used this sweet-looking plant for some not-so-sweet deeds. Consuming its toxic compounds — called cardiac glycosides — can send people to the hospital with symptoms like dizziness, vomiting, rashes and diarrhea. If left untreated, those little bells can even cause death.

Castor oil plays a part in many home remedies, but the actual plant itself is more likely to kill you than cure you. The seeds contain one of the most poisonous naturally occuring substances known to man, according to Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Just one seed can kill a child, as the toxic protein ricin can cause severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.