Me and My Not So Green Thumb

A tragedy happened in our garden this weekend, as I thoughtlessly plucked off all the flowers on the tomato plants that Daniel and I have been raising since spring. Somehow I got it into my head that in order for the plants to focus on the fruit, I had to pick off the flowers. But what I didn't know then is that tomato plants flower first, and then the fruit begins to appear from underneath the flowers. So basically I killed about 25 tomatoes this weekend, and Daniel will never let me near them again.

My inexperienced gardening got me to thinking about the plants we have at home, and I decided to do some research. Some plants can be very harmful to animals, and I wanted to make sure that it was safe for Gus and Charly to be around our house plants.

So here's an abbreviated list of some common garden and household plants that can be poisonous to your pet. There are over 700 plants that can be toxic to pets, but I've decided to cover just a few. How could I possibly list them all.

Let's start with the 10 most common poisonous plants:

Marijuana – Animals who attempt to snack on this plant can suffer serious consequences such as diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, drooling, in-coordination, and even possibly seizures and coma.

Sago Palm – While the seeds and nuts of this plant are most poisonous, the entire plant is toxic. Animals ingesting parts of this plant may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies – Plants of the lily variety are very poisonous to cats. Even very small amounts of this plant could cause serious kidney damage.

Tulips – The toxic portion of this plant is the actual bulb, which can cause drooling, central nervous system depression, gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac issues and convulsions.

Azalea – The toxins in azalea plants can be very severe and potentially cause drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, central nervous system weakening and depression, and in some cases possibly coma or death.

Oleander – All portions of this plant are poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, hypothermia, heart problems and possibly death.

Castor Bean – Poisoning as a result of this plant can cause abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea, vomiting increased thirst, loss of appetite and weakness. More serious cases could also lead to dehydration, tremors, seizures, twitching muscles, coma and possibly death.

Cyclamen – The most poisonous portion of this plant is located in the root. Ingestion of the plant can cause severe vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation. In some cases death has been reported as a result.

Kalanchoe – Ingestion of this plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac rhythm and rate problems.

Yew – Poisoning as a result of the yew plant can affect the nervous system and cause in-coordination, trembling and breathing difficulties. It may also result in gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac failure and could possibly lead to death.

The following are various other plants and flowers that could be harmful to your pets. It's impossible to list them all, so the best thing to do when planning a garden or buying household plants is to consult a veterinarian or the internet for more information about each plant. Check out the ASPCA website for a complete listing of toxic plants.

And when you're done reading through that exhausting list, head on over to Bloomsbury Market in Minneapolis where you can find these adorable Mind The Dog garden signs (pictured above). They're just perfect!

Bulbs: Daffodil, Lily, Hyacinth, Gladiolas, Iris, Tulip, Buttercup.

Ferns: Asparagus Fern Australian Nut, Emerald Fern, Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern.

Flowering Plants: Cyclamen, Hydrangea, Poinsettia.

Garden Perennials: Tomato Plant, Onion, Marijuana, Rhubarb.

House Plants: Cut Leaf Philodendron, Chinese Evergreen, Devil's Ivy, Folden Pothos, Nephthytis, Caladium.

Shrubs: Cycads, Heavenly Bamboo, Holly, Mistletoe, Oleaner, Rhododendron.

Succulents: Aloe.

Trees: Avodado, Buddist Pine, Japanese Yew, Macademia Nut.

Vines: Branching Ivy, English Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy.

Misc/Uncategorized: Andromeda, Azalea, Calla Lily, Castor Bean.