Flowers are a beautiful addition to any home, but some types can be truly deadly. While it is easy to assume that a flower is safe to bring into your home, that is not always the case. In fact, there are some flowers that can cause serious harm to humans and animals if they are grown in the home. Below are five of the most deadly flowers which you don’t want to grow in your house.
1. Oleander:
Oleander is a common flowering shrub found in warmer climates. It is known for its bright pink, white, or red flowers and is often used as a decorative hedge or ornamental feature. While it is a beautiful flower, it is also highly toxic. All parts of the oleander plant contain a poison known as a glycoside, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and even death if ingested.
2. Foxglove:
Foxglove is a tall flowering plant found in gardens and woodlands throughout Europe. It is known for its tall spires of small purple, pink, or white flowers. While it is a popular garden flower, it is also highly toxic. All parts of the plant contain a poison known as digitalis, which can cause vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and even death if ingested.
3. Rhododendron:
Rhododendrons are a type of flowering shrub which are commonly used in landscaping. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are known for their showy clusters of flowers. Unfortunately, all parts of the rhododendron are toxic if ingested. The poison found in the plant, known as grayanotoxin, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and even death.
4. Monkshood:
Monkshood is a tall flowering plant found in woodlands throughout Europe. It is known for its tall spikes of deep blue flowers. All parts of the monkshood plant are highly toxic, containing a poison known as aconitine which can cause paralysis, irregular heartbeat, and even death if ingested.
5. Castor Bean:
Castor bean is a common garden plant that is known for its large, glossy leaves and bright red or yellow flowers. While it is a popular ornamental, it is also very toxic. The seeds of the plant contain a poison known as ricin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death if ingested.
These five deadly flowers should be avoided at all costs when it comes to home gardening. While they may add beauty to your home, the potential for harm is too great to ignore if you are looking for something to brighten up your home, look for flowers that are known to be safe to grow around humans and animals.
