We all like to have beautiful, immaculately planned landscapes and indoor plant refinement, but we also love our pets and want to keep them healthy. When planning your spring plantings and indoor floralscapes, keep in mind that, though it may work in your design scheme, some popular plants are dangerous to your pet’s health. The Humane Society lists more than 95 poisonous plants on its website; however, here are some of the most popular plants that should not go in your house or garden if you have pets.
Autumn Crocus
Plant type: Garden flower
Toxic parts: Entire plant
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, bloody diarrhea, black-tarry stool, organ damage, respiratory failure, seizures and death
Azalea
Plant type: Shrub
Toxic parts: Entire plant
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate, hypotension, weakness, tremors, depression, blindness, seizures and coma
Bird of Paradise
Plant type: Garden flower
Toxic parts: Pods
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, rapid pulse and muscle tremors
Buttercup
Plant type: Wildflower
Toxic parts: Entire plant, especially leaves
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, blisters in mouth, tremors, seizures and paralysis (rare)
Daffodil
Plant type: Garden flower
Toxic parts: Bulb
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, abdominal pain, abnormal breathing and cardiac arrhythmias
Daphne
Plant type: Shrub
Toxic parts: Bark, berries and leaves
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Blistering of the mouth, esophagus and/or stomach; drooling; vomiting; bloody diarrhea; coma; and death
Dumb Cane
Plant type: Houseplant
Toxic parts: Entire plant
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, oral pain, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and lack of appetite
Elderberry
Plant type: Tree
Toxic parts: Leaves, bark, roots and buds
Level of toxicity: Moderate to severe
Effects on your pet: Vomiting, diarrhea, slowed heart rate, severe heart arrhythmias, seizures and death
Elephant Ear
Plant type: Houseplant
Toxic parts: Entire plant
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Lack of appetite, drooling, oral pain, vomiting, pawing at the mouth and swelling of the upper airway
Hyacinth
Plant type: Houseplant
Toxic parts: Bulbs
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression and tremors
Iris
Plant type: Wildflower
Toxic parts: Leaves and roots
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, vomiting and diarrhea
Ivy
Plant type: Vine
Toxic parts: Leaves
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea
Larkspur
Plant type: Wildflower
Toxic parts: Entire plant, especially sprouts
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Drooling, abnormal heart rhythms, constipation, abdominal pain, paralysis, tremors, seizures, heart and lung failure and death
Lily of the Valley
Plant type: Wildflower
Toxic parts: Leaves and flowers
Level of toxicity: Mild to severe
Effects on your pet: Vomiting, diarrhea, slowed heart rate, heart arrhythmias, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures and death
Morning Glory
Plant type: Wildflower
Toxic parts: Seeds and roots
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Lack of coordination, diarrhea, anemia and liver failure
Nightshade
Plant type: Wildflower/vine
Toxic parts: Leaves and berries
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Hypersalivation, lack of appetite, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils and slow heart rate
Oleander
Plant type: Shrub
Toxic parts: Leaves
Level of toxicity: Moderate to severe
Effects on your pet: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, tremors, seizures and death
Philodendron
Plant type: Houseplant
Toxic parts: Entire plant
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, oral pain, pawing at the mouth, vomiting and lack of appetite
Rhubarb
Plant type: Garden plant
Toxic parts: Leaves
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, tremors, bloody urine and change in thirst and urination
Wisteria
Plant type: Ornamental plant
Toxic parts: Pods and seeds
Level of toxicity: Mild to moderate
Effects on your pet: Vomiting, diarrhea and depression
Sources: The Humane Society, ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline
