Beautiful but dangerous: the risky plants hiding in your backyard

Beautiful but Dangerous: The Risky Plants Hiding in Your Backyard

Many garden favorites are actually dangerous plants that can cause harm. It's essential to learn how to identify, avoid, and stay safe around poisonous plants.

Your garden, a place to enjoy nature, can also be a source of danger, with some plants capable of stinging, cutting, or even causing severe allergic reactions.

Graham Ross, a garden expert, warns: "It's a fantastic time to be out in the garden. You can actually feel the energy boost. But when you're out there, you need to be careful... There are things that bite like snakes, spiders, and those pesky mosquitoes, but I find when I go out into the yard, it's often the plants that I get bitten by."

From thorns and sharp leaves to harmful sap and poisonous flowers, even everyday plants can hurt you if you're not careful. Here's how to spot and stay away from some of the most dangerous plants in your own backyard.

Author's summary: Be aware of poisonous plants in your garden.

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Better Homes and Gardens Better Homes and Gardens — 2025-10-17