Toxic Plants

There are many houseplants that are poisonous to humans and pets and most of them are more common than you'd think. A few words of warning and advice before we get to the list.
Before purchasing a new plant check if it's poisonous and to what degree so you can make an informed decision on if it's the right plant for you. When researching plants remember plants may have several common names but will only have one botanical name. Do not grow potentially poisonous plants within reach of children or pets.
Exposure to poison is caused by ingestion of plants or plant parts and/or contact with the skin. Ingestion of plant parts can cause internal poisoning, heart or kidney failure. Skin contact can produce symptoms such as dermatitis and allergic reaction.

If you're concerned about a child or pet you suspect consumed or touched a poisonous plant go to an emergency room, consult your veterinarian, or call the 24-hour National Capital Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.


Here is an extensive list of poisonous houseplants, which parts are poisonous, and the symptoms produced by consuming or touching the plant. It's important to note that this list does not cover every single plant poisonous to humans or animals.

• Dieffenbachia

  All parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate. Swelling, redness, and irritation can also occur if the skin or eyes are exposed. This plant can be fatal to both humans and animals if ingested in a large amount.

• Ivy

  The Hedera family of Ivy, including the popular English Ivy, contains toxic saponins in its leaves, berries, stems. Ivy is poisonous to both humans and animals. All parts of the plant can cause symptoms that include skin irritation, burning throat, fever, rash, vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases, it can also cause breathing difficulties and coma.

• Easter Lily

  If you have cats it's best to avoid bringing Easter Lillies into your home. The entire plant including the pollen is poisonous to them. Ingesting even small amounts of any part of the plant can lead to a cat's death from kidney failure if not treated by a veterinarian.

• Peace Lily

  All parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate. This plant can be fatal to both humans and animals if ingested in a large amount.

• Daffodils, Tulips

  Both of these plants belong to a family of plants called narcissus. All plants in this family contain lycorine that is toxic to both humans and pets. All parts of daffodil and tulips contain lycorine but the highest concentration is in the bulb. Ingestion can cause can cause intense stomach problems, high blood pressure, and in severe cases, heart problems and convulsions.

• Philodendron

  Philodendrons are poisonous to both humans and pets. These plants contain calcium oxalate which can cause toxicity when the plant is ingested or improperly handled. Ingestion can cause burning and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat, along with vomiting and diarrhea. Contact with skin or eyes can cause rash, irritation, corneal abrasions, and, rarely, permanent eye damage.

• Monstera

  There are about 48 species of Monstera which are mildly poisonous to humans and poisonous to both cats and dogs. All parts of the monstera contain calcium oxalate. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset. The sap may cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.

• Pothos

  Pothos are a close relative of the Philodendron and like philodendron they contain calcium oxalate crystals. Pothos are poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset. The sap may cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.

• Arrowhead Plant

  Also known as Syngonium, all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. This makes them poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset.

• Sago Palm

  All parts of this plant, including the seeds, fronds and roots, are toxic due to them containing cycasin. This plant is poisonous to both humans and pets. Ingesting sago palm causes vomiting and diarrhea, liver damage and even death.

• ZZ Plant

  ZZ Plants contain calcium oxalate and is poisonous to both humans and pets. Ingesting any part of this plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The sap may cause skin irritation or rash and can cause eye irritation.

• Anthurium

  All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. This makes them poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset. Sometimes acute inflammatory reactions including blistering and swelling of tissues can occur.

• Snake Plant

  All parts of the snake plant are poisonous to humans and animals due to the fact they contain saponins. Ingesting the leaves or stems of this plant can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset.

• Caladium

  All parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals and Asparagine. Ingesting this plant can cause intense irritation of mucous membranes, produces swelling of tongue, lips and palate, as well as stomach upset. The sap has been known to cause dermatitis, intense itching and burning and can cause eye irritation.

• Alocasia

  This plant is poisonous to humans and pets due to the fact that all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate as well as asparagine and oxalic acid. Ingestion can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, burning of the mouth and throat, and swelling of the eyes or mouth.

• Aloe

  The plant contains a compound called aloin, which can cause digestive discomfort and even kidney damage if ingested in large amounts. It is poisonous to both humans and pets.

• Asparagus Fern

  Asparagus Fern is toxic to pets due to sapogenin. The berries and sap can cause skin irritation and dermatitis in pets and humans. If a pet ingests the berries vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain may occur.

• Spider Plant

  While spider plants aren't technically poisonous for humans or pets they do contain chemical compounds that are mild hallucinogens. If ingested by cats they may experience hallucinations, gastric problems, such as an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Azalea

  Azaleas are closely related to rhododendrons and both cause the same type of toxicity due to grayanotoxins. Ingesting any part of the plant will lead to poisoning in humans and pets. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures, coma or death.

• Begonia

  According to the National Capital Poison Center, begonias are not toxic to humans. However, begonias, especially their tubers, due to calcium oxalates are highly toxic to household pets. Ingestion of begonias can cause mouth irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing and vomiting.

• Jade Plant

  Jade plant contains a toxic compound called bufadienolides that can cause vomiting, slow heart rate, and in severe cases, coma and death. They are mildly poisonous to humans and extremely poisonous to pets.

• Cardboard Palm

  All parts of the Cardboard Palm plant contain the toxic cycasin compound, including the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. This makes it Poisonous for humans and pets. If ingested it can can cause severe health problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, and even death.

• Dracaena

  The entire Dracaena plant is considered poisonous, including the leaves, stem, and sap. The berries of some Dracaena species are also poisonous. This plant is poisonous to both humans and pets. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as irritation of the mouth and throat.

• Geranium

  Geraniums are not poisonous to humans but the Pelargonium species are poisonous for pets. Geraniums contain linalool, gerinaol which can cause skin rashes, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

• Hyacinth

  The bulbs of hyacinths contain oxalic acid, which make it toxic to humans and pets. All parts of the plant contain oxalic acid but the bulbs have the highest concentration. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, convulsions, respiratory failure, and even death

• Chrysanthemum

  Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins which make them toxic to both humans and pets. All parts of the plant contain the toxic compounds, including the flowers, leaves, and stems. They can cause skin irritation if toucched as well as nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis if ingested.

• Rubber Plant

  The sap of the rubber plant contains a toxic substance called ficin, which can cause skin irritation and eye irritation. All parts of the plant contain the toxic sap, including the leaves, stem, and roots making it poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion can cause irritation and inflammation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion of the sap can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.

• Lantana

  Lantana is considered poisonous to humans and pets due to a groups of toxins it contains. All parts of the plant contain these toxins including the leaves, stems, flowers, and unripe berries. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps if ingested in large quantities. In severe cases for pets lantana can lead to liver failure and even death.

• Yew

  Yew is commonly used for bonsai and is considered poisonous to both humans and pets. All parts of the yew plant are toxic, including the needles, bark, and seeds, but the highest concentration of the toxic alkaloid called taxine is found in the seeds. Symptoms of yew poisoning can be severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, difficulty breathing, and in some cases, sudden collapse and death.

• Clivia

  Clivia is considered toxic to humans and pets because it contains lycorine. All parts of the clivia plant are considered poisonous, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea if ingested. Ingestion of large quantities of clivia can also cause more serious symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and even coma.

• Poinsettia

  Poinsettias are poisonous to humans and pets. The milky white sap of the plant contains a low concentration of irritating latex, which can cause skin irritation, itching, and redness upon contact. Ingestion of the plant can cause mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but it's rare for poinsettias to cause serious poisoning or death.

• Amaryllis

  All parts of this plant are poisonous, but the bulbs are the most dangerous. Amaryllis contains lycorine that is most highly concentrated in the bulbs. It is poisonous to humans and pets. If ingested amaryllis can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, and convulsions. In severe cases, ingestion of amaryllis can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

• Myrtle

  There are quite a few types of myrtle that are considered poisonous to humans and pets. A few are creeping myrtle, running myrtle and myrtle spurge. Myrtle is poisonous if ingested, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This plant exudes toxic, milky latex, which can cause severe skin and eye irritations. Severe cases in pets can lead to Vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, depression, tremors, seizures, coma, death.

• Oleander

  All parts of this plant are highly poisonous to humans and pets. It contains toxic compounds called cardiac glycosides, which can affect the heart and cause cardiac arrest. Symptoms of ingestion may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, seizures, and even death.

• Oxalis

  All parts of this plant contain oxalic acid which can be poisonous in large amounts. Its considered toxic to pets. If ingested by pets or humans in large amounts symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.

• Aralia

  All parts of this plant are considered toxic due to the fact that they contain saponins. It can be poisonous to humans and animals. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. Skin contact with the plant's sap may cause skin irritation.

• Australian Umbrella Tree

  All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans and pets. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, saponins and terpenoids. Symptoms of ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. Skin contact with the plant's sap may cause skin irritation.

• Jerusalem cherry

  All parts of this plant are poisonous as it contains solanine and other toxic alkaloids. Poisonous to humans and pets. ingestion symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other digestive issues. In severe cases, the plant can cause difficulty breathing, seizures, and even death.

• Cyclamen

  All parts of this plant are toxic because it contains cyclamin. The highest concentration of cyclamin being found in the root. Ingestion symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. In severe cases, the plant can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even death.

• Kalanchoe

  Considered poisonous to humans and pets. The leaves, flowers contain cardiac glycosides and the sap can cause irritation and dermatitis. Ingestion symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, and irregular heartbeats.

• Umbrella Plant

  Umbrella plants contain calcium oxalate and all parts of the plant are considered poisonous. The plant is poisonous to humans and pets. Ingestion symptoms include burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, ingesting large amounts of the plant can lead to seizures and even death.

• Bay laurel

  Bay Laurel is considered poisonous to humans and pets. The leaves and berries of the plant contain a toxic substance called lauric acid. If ingested, Bay Laurel can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, burning of the mouth and throat, dizziness, confusion, and even coma. The severity of symptoms depends on the amount of plant material consumed and can be fatal in rare cases.