Whether you’re trying to convey gratitude, love or congratulations— there’s no better way to do so than with a fresh bouquet of flowers. That being said, delicate flowers offer beauty that may look harmless, but appearances can be deceiving. There are a variety of poisonous flowers that can be harmful, or even deadly, to humans and animals if ingested or touched.

It’s important to educate yourself on the harmful effects poisonous flowers can have. Common blooms including yarrow, foxgloves and some options on our site can have toxic properties, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them completely. At ProFlowers you won’t have to wonder whether a flower is poisonous or not. Our packaging includes clear information on plants and flowers that may be potentially unsafe if ingested. It’s all about taking proper precautions.

To help you get a clearer idea of which flowers are the ones to watch out for, we’ve compiled a list of 20 poisonous flowers. Most of these flowers are safe to display or grow in your home, you’ll just need to keep them out of the path of curious children and pets. Browse through the options below to be sure you’re taking proper precautions and not putting anyone in harm’s way.

poisonous flowers
While flowers are a great way to decorate and convey our feelings, it’s important to be educated on the blooms that can put us and our pets in harm’s way. Browse the list below to familiarize yourself with some of the most common poisonous flowers.

Toxicity Levels

Not all flowers are equally poisonous. The following numbers are used to organize flowers based on what parts are toxic and how severe the symptoms are.

poisonous flowers

Baby’s Breath

Gypsophila

2
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea

POISONOUS TO:

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors

POISONOUS TO:

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

2

POISONOUS PART: flowers, leaves, stems, oils

SYMPTOMS: organ failure, vomiting, tiredness

POISONOUS TO:

Calla Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

3
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, oral pain

POISONOUS TO:

Daffodil

Narcissus

2
4

POISONOUS PART: bulb

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, burning, irritation

POISONOUS TO:

Foxglove

Digitalis

1

POISONOUS PART: leaves, flowers, seeds

SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, seizures, dilated pupils, death

POISONOUS TO:

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

2
4

POISONOUS PART: leaves, buds, flowers, bark

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, fever, diarrhea

POISONOUS TO:

Iris

Iris germanica

2
4

POISONOUS PART: bulb, leaves, stem

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, fever, diarrhea

POISONOUS TO:

Larkspur

Delphinium

1

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: weakness, drooling, abdominal pain, paralysis, death

POISONOUS TO:

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

1
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, seizures

POISONOUS TO:

Marigold

Tagetes

2
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: diarrhea, vomiting, irritation around the eyes and nose

POISONOUS TO:

Morning Glory

Ipomoea muricata

1

POISONOUS PART: seeds

SYMPTOMS: diarrhea, vomiting, hallucinations

POISONOUS TO:

Mountain laurel

Kalmia Latifolia

1

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea

POISONOUS TO:

Naked Lady

Amaryllis

1
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors

POISONOUS TO:

Oleander

Nerium oleander

1
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, seizures, death

POISONOUS TO:

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum

3
4

POISONOUS PART: leaves

SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, inappetence

POISONOUS TO:

Peruvian Lily

Alstroemeria

2
4

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea

POISONOUS TO:

Tulip

Tulipa

2
4

POISONOUS PART: bulb, stem, flowers

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, salivation

POISONOUS TO:

Wolf’s Bane

Aconitum

1

POISONOUS PART: entire plant

SYMPTOMS: vomiting, frothing at mouth, seizures, death

POISONOUS TO:

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

2
4

POISONOUS PART: leaves, flowers

SYMPTOMS: bumps on skin, oozing sores

POISONOUS TO:

Keep in mind that toxicity levels will vary based on the level of contact with the flowers. For example, ingesting even a small part of some flowers can cause symptoms, whereas for others you’d need to ingest a large amount to see any effect. With any exposure or symptoms, it’s advised that you contact the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222) or your doctor immediately.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. And it’s especially necessary to educate and warn your children if you’re going to have these flowers present in your home. Or, keep the plants out of arm’s reach; it’s the best way to avoid an accident. Use the visual guide to identify the flowers that’ll require you to take extra precaution.

Now that you are aware of some of the most common flowers with poisonous properties, you can make the safest selection for your home (and furry friends) with confidence. Browse our selection of lilies, tulips and other fresh flowers. If you’re looking for more information, check out our article featuring a complete collection of 199 poisonous plants to look out for.