Your garden is full of plant treasures of all kinds and you love the diversity of your green space. In general, you think you know most of the plants you have and take care of on a daily basis. However, you might be surprised to learn that some plants or trees around you are actually toxic, and therefore dangerous, for you, your children or your pet.
For example, if you have a fig tree, you may not know it but it is toxic. It is very popular for its delicious fruits and its beautiful, large leaves, but you should be careful of its sap, which is phytophototoxic and can, among other things, cause serious second-degree burns. It is therefore not recommended for children to play under a fig tree to avoid any possible burns.
So here's a tip: find out about the varieties of plants you have at home!
What are the most common toxic outdoor plants?
There are actually hundreds of toxic outdoor plants. It would be impossible to list them all. So, we decided to focus on the most common ones. You will be able to be informed about the dangers of these outdoor plants, some of which are actually poison within reach.
Among the climbing plants, the most widespread in gardens and which you should be wary of, especially for your children, we have Wisteria, Jasmine, Morning Glory, Clematis, Ivy or even Honeysuckle.
As for herbaceous plants, Primrose, Columbine, Anemone, Aconite, Foxglove, Carnation, Buttercup, Datura and Castor Oil Plant are all plants that you should learn to be wary of. Also watch out for the rhizomes of Cyclamen, Lily of the Valley and Irises which are also very toxic.
Among the toxic shrubs and trees, we can count the Oleander, the Daphne, the Lilac, the Hydrangea, the Holly, the Yew, theSpurge, Boxwood, Azalea and Rhododendrons.
Identify at-risk berries in your garden, such as Lily of the Valley, Ivy, Cotoneaster, or Solanum. If you have children, prune these plants after flowering to avoid accidental poisoning.
Also note that treating yourself with plants requires having specific knowledge. So it can be dangerous to do it without a specialist because the confusion of garden plants is the primary cause of poisoning. Indeed, a Comfrey leaf for example which is edible looks a lot like the Purple Foxglove which is dangerous.
Also, you may not know it, but only certain parts of a plant can sometimes be dangerous. Rhubarb for example, whose stem is edible, but the leaf is toxic. The latex of the Euphorbias causes significant skin irritation, and the Schefflera photosensitization.
As we already mentioned in our article Poisonous houseplants, Oleander is very toxic. Castor oil plant, Viburnum, Monkshood, Lily of the valley, Anemone or even Colchicum are all plants or flowers that appear harmless but can be dangerous.
Admire them and enjoy their beauty, but stay vigilant!
