If you enjoy gardening in New Jersey, you should know about the poisonous plants in NJ. Understanding these deadly garden dangers lurking in your landscape is the first step to keeping your family and pets safe.
Many common ornamental plants have toxic parts. They can cause reactions from mild skin irritation to severe illness. This guide will help you identify them and manage the risks.
Let’s look at the most important ones to recognize.
Poisonous Plants In NJ – Deadly Garden Dangers Lurking
This list covers plants you might find in gardens, yards, and natural areas across the state. We’ll focus on identification, toxic parts, and symptoms.
1. Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
This is one of the most dangerous plants in North America. It’s a biennial that looks similar to Queen Anne’s Lace or wild carrot.
- Identification: Grows up to 8 feet tall. Has smooth, hollow stems with distinctive purple spots or streaks. The leaves are fern-like. When crushed, the leaves and roots smell unpleasant, like mouse urine.
- Toxic Parts: All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the roots and seeds.
- Danger: Contains coniine alkaloids which disrupt the nervous system. Ingestion can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. Even handling it can cause skin reactions in some people.
2. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Often just called Belladonna, this plant is as dangerous as it’s name suggests. It’s less common but can appear in shady gardens.
- Identification: A perennial shrub growing 3-4 feet tall. It has dull green leaves, bell-shaped purple flowers, and shiny black berries that look like small cherries.
- Toxic Parts: All parts, but the berries are especially tempting and toxic.
- Danger: Contains tropane alkaloids. Symptoms include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, headache, confusion, seizures, and coma. A small number of berries can be fatal to a child.
3. Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
Grown for its dramatic, tropical foliage and interesting seed pods, this plant hides a potent toxin.
- Identification: An annual that can grow very tall in one season. Leaves are large, star-shaped, and often deep red or purple. Spiky seed pods contain attractive, bean-like seeds mottled with brown.
- Toxic Parts: The seeds are highly toxic. The rest of the plant contains lower levels of the poison.
- Danger: Contains ricin, a deadly protein. Chewing or breaking just one or two seeds can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and liver/kidney failure. It can be fatal.
4. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
A popular landscape shrub in warmer areas, often used for hedges. It’s sometimes grown in containers in NJ and brought indoors for winter.
- Identification: An evergreen shrub with long, narrow, leathery leaves. It produces beautiful clusters of white, pink, or red flowers all summer.
- Toxic Parts: Every single part is toxic: leaves, stems, flowers, sap, and even the smoke from burning it.
- Danger: Contains cardiac glycosides. Ingestion affects the heart, causing irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, and can lead to death. Never use its stems for skewering food for a BBQ.
5. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
This classic cottage garden flower is beautiful but double-edged. It’s the original source of the heart medicine digitalis.
- Identification: A biennial forming a rosette of fuzzy leaves in year one. In year two, it sends up a tall spike (2-5 feet) of tubular, spotted flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
- Toxic Parts: All parts are toxic, including the leaves, flowers, and seeds.
- Danger: Contains digitalis glycosides. Symptoms include severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, confusion, and heart problems. The leaves are sometimes mistaken for comfrey or other herbs.
6. Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)
Also called Wolfsbane, this perennial is known for its striking blue or purple hooded flowers.
- Identification: Grows 2-4 feet tall with deeply lobed, dark green leaves. The flowers are helmet-shaped, growing on tall spikes in mid to late summer.
- Toxic Parts: All parts, especially the roots and seeds. Toxins can even be absorbed through the skin.
- Danger: Contains aconitine alkaloids. It causes numbness, burning in the mouth, vomiting, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and respiratory paralysis. Always wear gloves when handling.
7. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
A charming ground cover with sweetly scented flowers, but it’s deceptively toxic.
- Identification: A low-growing perennial that spreads by rhizomes. It has two or three broad, lance-shaped leaves and a stalk of tiny, white, bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by red berries.
- Toxic Parts: All parts, including the red berries and the water in a vase containing the flowers.
- Danger: Contains cardiac glycosides similar to foxglove. Symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, reduced heart rate, and blurred vision.
8. Yew (Taxus spp.)
A common evergreen shrub or tree used in foundation plantings and hedges throughout New Jersey.
- Identification: Needles are dark green on top, lighter beneath, arranged spirally on the stem. It produces fleshy red berries (arils) in fall.
- Toxic Parts: All parts except the fleshy red aril around the seed are poisonous. The seed inside the red berry is toxic.
- Danger: Contains taxine alkaloids. Causes dizziness, dry mouth, stomach cramps, and cardiac failure. It acts quickly and is often fatal to livestock and pets.
9. Rhododendron & Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
These popular flowering shrubs are staples in NJ gardens. Many people don’t realize they are toxic.
- Identification: Broadleaf evergreens or deciduous shrubs with showy clusters of flowers in spring. Leaves are typically oval and leathery.
- Toxic Parts: All parts, including leaves, flowers, nectar, and honey made from the nectar.
- Danger: Contains grayanotoxins. Ingestion leads to burning in the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and coma in severe cases.
10. Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
A cheerful sign of spring, but every part of this bulb is problematic.
- Identification: Spring-blooming bulb with long, strap-like leaves and a central flower stalk bearing trumpet-shaped flowers in yellow, white, or orange.
- Toxic Parts: The bulb is the most toxic part, but leaves and flowers are also poisonous.
- Danger: Contains lycorine and other alkaloids. Causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Sometimes mistaken for onions by foragers.
Less Severe But Still Problematic Plants
Some plants cause uncomfortable reactions but are less likely to be life-threatening. You should still be aware of them.
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
This native vine or shrub is famous for causing an itchy rash.
- Identification: “Leaves of three, let it be.” Leaves are glossy or dull, with three leaflets. The middle leaflet has a longer stalk. It can grow as a ground cover, shrub, or hairy vine on trees.
- Reaction: Contains urushiol oil. Causes a severe, itchy, blistering rash in most people upon contact. The oil can stick to tools, clothing, and pet fur.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
NJ’s state flower is a beautiful native shrub, but it’s toxic.
- Identification: A broadleaf evergreen with glossy leaves and clusters of beautiful pink or white cup-shaped flowers in late spring.
- Danger: Contains grayanotoxins like rhododendron. Ingestion leads to salivation, watering of the eyes and nose, slow heartbeat, and convulsions.
What to Do If Exposure Happens
Acting quickly and correctly is crucial. Here are the steps to follow.
- Identify the Plant: Try to remember exactly what the plant looked like. Take a photo or sample (with gloves) for identification.
- Call for Help: For any severe symptoms (difficulty breathing, seizures, unconsciousness) call 911 immediately. For advice, contact the NJ Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. They are experts and available 24/7.
- For Skin Contact: Rinse the area thoroughly with cool water and soap as soon as possible. For poison ivy, use rubbing alcohol first, then water. Wash all clothing and tools that may have touched the plant.
- Do Not Induce Vomiting unless instructed to by a poison control expert or doctor. This can sometimes cause more harm.
- Bring the Plant Sample with you to the emergency room if you are advised to go. This helps medical staff provide the right treatment.
Safe Gardening Practices
You don’t have to remove all toxic plants. With smart practices, you can manage the risk effectively.
- Educate Everyone: Teach all household members, especially children, not to put any plant parts in their mouths. Supervise young children closely in the garden.
- Wear Protective Gear: Always wear gloves when handling plants you know or suspect are toxic. Consider long sleeves and eye protection when pruning or removing plants like poison hemlock.
- Label Your Plants: Keep plant tags or create a garden map. Knowing what you have is the first step in risk management.
- Secure Your Garden: Fence off areas containing highly toxic plants if you have curious pets or young children. Consider removing the most dangerous ones (like castor bean or poison hemlock) entirely.
- Dispose Properly: Do not compost or burn toxic plants. Bag them and place them in the trash. Burning plants like poison ivy or oleander can release harmful toxins into the air.
Pet Safety Considerations
Dogs and cats are also at risk. Some plants that are mildly toxic to humans can be deadly to pets.
- Extra Dangerous for Pets: Lilies (Lilium spp.) are extremely toxic to cats, causing kidney failure even from pollen grooming. Sago Palm (cycads) are fatal to dogs, causing liver failure.
- Common Symptoms in Pets: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, difficulty breathing, seizures, or collapse.
- Action Plan: Know the names of all plants in your yard. If you suspect ingestion, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. Time is critical.
Creating a Beautiful and Safe Garden
You can have a stunning garden without the highest risks. Here are some excellent non-toxic alternatives for New Jersey gardens.
- Instead of Foxglove: Try Snapdragons (Antirrhinum) or Bellflowers (Campanula).
- Instead of Oleander or Rhododendron: Use Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica), or Fothergilla.
- Instead of Castor Bean: For dramatic foliage, plant ornamental grasses like Miscanthus, or use a non-toxic Canna lily.
- Great Non-Toxic Flowers: Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Impatiens, and Petunias are all safe bets.
Gardening is a joy, and knowing your plants makes it safer for everyone. By learning to identify these hazardous species, you can apreciate your garden with confidence and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most deadly plant found in New Jersey?
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is considered one of the most deadly. It contains potent neurotoxins that can be fatal even in small amounts if ingested.
Are there any poisonous plants in NJ that look like edible ones?
Yes. Poison hemlock looks similar to wild carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace. The roots of deadly nightshade can be mistaken for horseradish. Always be 100% certain of identification before foraging.
What common garden plants in New Jersey are poisonous to touch?
Poison Ivy is the main one, causing a skin rash. Some people also get dermatitis from handling plants like monkshood, daffodil bulbs, or euphorbias (like spurge). Wearing gloves is a good habit.
Is it illegal to grow poisonous plants in my NJ garden?
Generally, no, it is not illegal to grow ornamental toxic plants. However, you have a responsibility to manage them safely. In some cases, if a plant poses a direct threat to others, there could be liability issues.
How can I get a plant identified if I’m unsure?
You can contact your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension office. They have master gardeners who can help with plant identification. You can also use reputable plant ID apps or take a sample to a trusted nursery.
What should I tell my children about dangerous plants?
Use clear, simple rules: “Never put any leaf, berry, or flower in your mouth unless mom or dad says it’s okay.” Teach them to recognize poison ivy. Supervison is the best protection for young children.