Gardening in Louisiana has always been widely popular. I’ve definitely become interested in gardening and have loved introducing new plants into my garden and trying to find the balance between what survives and what thrives in my little space. If you’re considering adding to or planting your own garden, there’s one beautiful (but toxic) plant that you should be aware of, because it’s one of the most poisonous plants in Louisiana, and it’s more common than you’d think! Read on to find out more!

This beautiful blossom is oleander.
Poisonous Plants In Louisiana
Renee Grayson/Flickr
While it’s typically associated with the Mediterranean Basin, oleander is cultivated worldwide and thrives in subtropical areas. Because it does so well in these climates, states like Texas and California have planted it on median strips. There are roughly 25 million oleanders dotting highways in California!
Oleander has a bit of a sweet smell to it and, depending on the variety, can produce white, pink, or red blooms.
Gsermek/iStock Getty Images Plus Collection
And these things are durable! They were one of the first plants that were planted on Galveston Island after the Hurricane of 1900, and have thrived so well that Galveston earned the nickname “Oleander City,” and hosts an annual festival around them.

Oleander is also the official flower of Hiroshima because it was the first flower to bloom after the 1945 atomic bombing.
Oleander has been around since the dawn of time (practically).
Shooting_brooklyn/Wikimedia
Ancient Greeks and Romans had several names for it, and even believed that oleander was an effective antidote for venomous snake bikes. (It’s not.)

Oleanders even made their mark on the artistic side of history, with many famous artists painting them into their works. Pictured above is ‘Oleanders’ by Van Gogh, which he painted in 1888.

In local lore, you may be familiar with the story of Chloe, the slave from the Myrtles Plantation who baked a pie laced with oleander in an attempt to kill the master of the house, but ended up killing the wife and kids.

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While these flowers are beautiful, they are toxic and can be deadly.
OlgaKorica / iStock/Getty Images Plus Collection
Ingesting oleander can ruin your day. You would need to ingest a large amount for it to be fatal, but even a tiny bit can affect your heart and your central nervous system. On the gastrointestinal side, you’re looking at nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Even worse, your whole central nervous system could glitch and cause tremors and seizures that could land you in a coma.

Even just touching oleander can give you a bad rash and cause an allergic reaction.
Oleander grows well here in Louisiana, and it's not uncommon to see them planted on lawns or in containers.
Peter Burka/Flickr
This beauty is just living her best life on a balcony in the French Quarter.
If you do plan on growing oleander, there are a few things you should know.
Westend61/Westend61 Collection / Getty images
First, get yourself a good pair of gardening gloves. You do not want to touch this plant, and even after you plant it and remove your gloves, wash your hands and change your clothes. Why take the risk?

They're not attractive to pollinators (bees/butterflies) or even hummingbirds, so just know these beauties are just for looks. Because they have a sweet smell to them, birds and livestock tend to be curious, but they are toxic to all animals and there have been numerous livestock deaths in areas where oleander grows.

The U.S. Geological Survey website offers some additional quick tips regarding Oleander, one of the most poisonous plants in Louisiana. Importantly, use common sense. If you have kids, make sure they know the dangers of this plant. If you’ve got pets, maybe keep an eye on them when you let them out of the house, or even better, plant oleander in an elevated area where they are safe from kids and critters! Identifying this plant, especially when camping, can be a lifesaver. You wouldn’t want to pick these branches as your chosen skewer for s’mores. That mistake could ruin your entire camping trip!

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Fun Facts About Louisiana

Melanie J. | April 15, 2024

What are some fun facts about Louisiana? 

If you’re searching for fun facts about Louisiana, here’s one that might surprise you: the official state drink of Louisiana is milk. Read on for more fun facts about the Pelican State.

  • Tabasco was invented in Louisiana
  • Louisiana has the tallest state capitol in the US
  • Natchitoches is the oldest town in Louisiana
  • Mardi Gras colors can be traced back to the first parade in 1872
  • Louisiana is the only state that operates under the Napoleonic Code
  • St. Charles Streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar
  • Louisiana invented the cocktail
  • The first US opera ever performed was in New Orleans in 1796
  • Home to the world’s largest heliport
  • First licensed pharmacy in the US
  • Antoine’s is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US
  • Home to the largest statue of Ronald Reagan in the world
  • The longest bridge over water in the world is across Lake Pontchartrain
  • The first Tarzan movie was filmed in Louisiana

Be sure to check out our website to discover more fun facts about Louisiana that might surprise you.

What is it like living in Louisiana?

Have you been thinking about what life is like living in Louisiana? Well, here are some cool reasons why locals and visitors alike love Louisiana so much: 

  • The weather is typically beautiful
  • You can take your drinks to-go
  • Crawfish season is the best time of year
  • Locals are laid-back and filled with humor
  • Live music is FREE…and around every corner
  • Locals love to dance
  • There are lots of yearly festivals
  • Home of the jazz funeral
  • Mardi Gras. Need I say more?
  • Locals are true sports fans
  • Witness gorgeous architecture wherever you go
  • Cajun food is unlike any other

Read our article with more information on what life is like living in Louisiana.

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