People warned 'most dangerous' plant in UK gardens can be 'fatal' to touch

Gardeners have been warned over the UK's most dangerous plant which can be "fatal" when touched. Oleander poisoning can affect many parts of the body with symptoms including an irregular or slow heartbeat as well as low blood pressure and also weakness

Fiona Jenkins, a gardening expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, has identified oleander as the UK's most dangerous plant. She warned: "The oleander plant is the UK's most dangerous plant due to it being very toxic for both humans and animals."

Other signs are blurred vision, vision disturbances, including halos around objects and a loss of appetite with nausea and vomiting and stomach pain. Confussion, dizziness, drowsiness and depression are also listed, alongside headaches, lethargy and fainting.

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Hives and rashes have also been seen. She added: "This plant is very poisonous, and if you ingest even a very small amount of this plant, it can result in death. Physical contact with the plant can cause allergic reactions and severe skin irritations. It's important to keep oleanders away from children and pets."

Fiona also shared a word of warning this plant contains toxic cardiac glycosides, which can lead to "serious poisoning". She also hinted at the dangers of Deadly Nightshade, a common plant found in garden centres, and said: "It features several green berries that then ripen to a black colour. Every part of this plant is toxic, and the berries are particularly poisonous."

And in a final warning, she reminded dog owners and cat lovers how lilies can prove fatal to pets, stating that all parts of the plant can be toxic and should be avoided entirely. Fiona went on and said: "Unfortunately, this can be fatal. It's important to keep your pets away from lily plants."

Fiona said: "Lily pollen can easily fall onto your pet's fur, which they may then ingest when they groom themselves."