Just how dangerous is foxglove?

Question

I just bought a pair of common foxglove plants (sp. purpurea, I think) at the nursery because they were pretty. I'm thinking I might pot them. But the name sounded familiar to me, and I remembered after a while that duh, foxglove = digitalis = nothing you want in your salad.

That said, how careful do you have to be in handling it in ordinary gardening? Is it dangerous just to touch? I brought a pair of catnip plants home in the same box with the foxglove, and now the catnip has sort of a lemon cleaner scent that I noticed on my hand after I accidentally put my finger in one of the foxglove blossoms. Is it safe to give the catnip to the cats?

Answer 1

It's pretty toxic, but as long as you (or your cat) don't eat it you should be fine. If you're worried rinse the catnip in water, and wash your hands after handling it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis_p...

Answer 2

Not to worry.

Keep the plants away from each other, just in case.