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.
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.
Baby’s Breath
Gypsophila
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea
POISONOUS TO:
Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors
POISONOUS TO:
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
POISONOUS PART: flowers, leaves, stems, oils
SYMPTOMS: organ failure, vomiting, tiredness
POISONOUS TO:
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, oral pain
POISONOUS TO:
Daffodil
Narcissus
POISONOUS PART: bulb
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, burning, irritation
POISONOUS TO:
Foxglove
Digitalis
POISONOUS PART: leaves, flowers, seeds
SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, seizures, dilated pupils, death
POISONOUS TO:
Hydrangea
Hydrangea
POISONOUS PART: leaves, buds, flowers, bark
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, fever, diarrhea
POISONOUS TO:
Iris
Iris germanica
POISONOUS PART: bulb, leaves, stem
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, fever, diarrhea
POISONOUS TO:
Larkspur
Delphinium
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: weakness, drooling, abdominal pain, paralysis, death
POISONOUS TO:
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, seizures
POISONOUS TO:
Marigold
Tagetes
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: diarrhea, vomiting, irritation around the eyes and nose
POISONOUS TO:
Morning Glory
Ipomoea muricata
POISONOUS PART: seeds
SYMPTOMS: diarrhea, vomiting, hallucinations
POISONOUS TO:
Mountain laurel
Kalmia Latifolia
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea
POISONOUS TO:
Naked Lady
Amaryllis
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors
POISONOUS TO:
Oleander
Nerium oleander
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, seizures, death
POISONOUS TO:
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
POISONOUS PART: leaves
SYMPTOMS: drooling, vomiting, inappetence
POISONOUS TO:
Peruvian Lily
Alstroemeria
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea
POISONOUS TO:
Tulip
Tulipa
POISONOUS PART: bulb, stem, flowers
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, diarrhea, salivation
POISONOUS TO:
Wolf’s Bane
Aconitum
POISONOUS PART: entire plant
SYMPTOMS: vomiting, frothing at mouth, seizures, death
POISONOUS TO:
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
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.