Many of us encourage milkweed to grow in our yards because it's a host plant for monarch butterflies. When caterpillars eat milkweed, its toxins shield them against predators.
Mistletoe's white berries and leaves are moderately poisonous to humans. The plant also attaches to trees and steals their nutrients. But mistletoe also holds an important place in the web of life.
Unlike milkweed and mistletoe, whose ecological benefits often outweigh the dangers they pose in our gardens, poison hemlock offers no positives.
Some of the most cheery plants in our flower garden hold a toxic surprise. Many bulb plants, including tulips, daffodils and some lilies and irises.
Sago palms and closely related cardboard palms cheer us up with their wispy, tropical feel.
The white, latex sap from these plants irritates the skin and eyes, even causing blisters and temporary blindness in some cases.
"These are two other super-common houseplants that have chemical compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.