Green Thumb Danger

Got a curious kid or hungry pet? Many potted plants and cut flowers that people love to keep around the home are actually quite poisonous if ingested. While most house pets and children don't go around regularly munching on plants, it's still a good idea to be aware of any in your house that may pose a risk, this way you can at least put them in harder to reach places and keep an eye on them

Philodendron

Philodendrons are a favorite among house plants. They are poisonous to both humans and pets, and ingesting them will result in painful burning and swelling of the lips, tongue and throat. They can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a popular house plant for its low light requirements. The plant is highly toxic however, and native Amazonian people have long used juice from the plant in a preparation to poison arrows. Among other symptoms, if ingested the plant can cause severe burning in the mouth and swelling of the tongue, which may obstruct breathing if severe enough. In serious cases, the plant can be fatal for both humans and pets.

The following plants are toxic to both cats and dogs (unless otherwise noted) along with clinical signs of poisoning:

• Aloe Vera: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.
• Asian Lily: Vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and death is possible. Cats are only species known to be affected (toxic to cats only).
• Asparagus Fern: allergic dermatitis with repeated dermal exposure. Berry ingestion could result in gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.)
• Begonia: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. Tubers are the most toxic.
• Baby's Breath: Vomiting, diarrhea
• Calla Lily: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
• Corn Plant: Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats).
• Cycads (Sago Palm, Fern Palm): Vomiting (may be bloody), dark stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bloody diarrhea, bruising, liver failure, death. 1-2 seeds can be fatal.
• Daffodil: Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.
• Geranium: Vomiting, anorexia, depression, dermatitis.
• Jade Plant: Vomiting, depression, ataxia, slow heart rate (rare.)
• Pencil Cactus: Irritating to the mouth and stomach, sometimes causing vomiting, but generally over-rated in toxicity.
• Ribbon Plant (Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Dracaena, Dragon Tree):Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats).
• Tulip: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.

English Ivy

English Ivy is a vine plant grown both indoors and outdoors for decorative purposes. It is poisonous to humans, pets, and livestock when ingested.Symptoms include breathing difficulties, convulsions, vomiting, and in extreme cases, paralysis and coma.