For years, many of us have heard the tale: poinsettias are extremely poisonous and should be kept out of reach of children and pets alike. However, is this really the case? As a poinsettia grower, I’ve never seen evidence of this myth in the greenhouse myself. Our children and pets have had free reign to roam around the greenhouses for many years, and I can’t think of one time that anyone has been sickened by a poinsettia. So, I decided to get to the bottom of this myth. 

Luckily for everyone hoping to bring a little Christmas spirit into their home, the idea the poinsettias could kill is an absolute myth. 

In the old days of poinsettia growing, growers had to spray relentlessly with very strong pesticides to keep white flies away. These pesticides were much more toxic than any naturally occurring compound carried within the poinsettias. Through the development of modern varieties and growing practices, these pesticides are no longer necessary, thereby making the new poinsettia varieties much safer to humans and their home companions. Scientists have attempted to find a lethal dose of poinsettia plant when consumed–fortunately for Mr. Kitty, they found no such dose! Poinsettias are just about as safe as any other house plant.

Going back even further to the days of the Aztec Empire of Central America, I found that the poinsettia was actually used for medicinal purposes. According to the University of Illinois, the Aztecs used the sap of the poinsettia to control fevers! Yet today, many people assume the poinsettia is poisonous! While the poinsettia has always been popular in Central America where it grows naturally at lower altitudes and takes on more of a shrub form, it was not until 1828 that the poinsettia was first brought to the United States. Joel R. Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador the Mexico and an avid botanist, discovered a shrub with beautiful red leaves while exploring the Mexican countryside. He sent cuttings of this shrub back to his personal greenhouse in South Carolina, where they grew quickly, and were eventually named after him. That is where poinsettias get their name.

While poinsettias are not deadly poisonous, there are reasons to keep your herbivore house pets at bay. Consuming a significant number of poinsettia leaves can cause nausea, diarrhea and a rash around the mouth, in addition to having a mangled holiday decoration. 

In conclusion, although you should try to keep pets and children from destroying and/or consuming any plants in your home, consuming the poinsettia will not lead to any dire consequences, only a lifelong lesson–don’t eat decorative plants! At Pochedly Greenhouses, we grow about 10,000 poinsettias every holiday season. We carry them in a variety of sizes and a variety of beautiful colors. When the weather and the news are gloomy, at least you can have a beautiful poinsettia to bring you cheer. Ours will be available for order through our online store soon!

In conclusion, although you should try to keep pets and children from destroying and/or consuming any plants in your home, consuming the poinsettia will not lead to any dire consequences, only a lifelong lesson–don’t eat decorative plants! At Pochedly Greenhouses, we grow about 10,000 poinsettias every holiday season. We carry them in a variety of sizes and a variety of beautiful colors. When the weather and the news are gloomy, at least you can have a beautiful poinsettia to bring you cheer. Ours will be available for order through our online store soon!