POISONOUS CHRISTMAS PLANTS: MYTH VS. FACT


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While the holidays come with some of the best meals of the year, you might want to keep your favorite festive plants off the table! Some of the most beautiful holiday greenery can cause a Christmas celebration to take a turn for the worst. And, interestingly, some plants that have a Grinchy reputation are actually quite harmless. Before you bring home some new plants for the holidays, let’s set the record straight about these popular holiday houseplants.

MYTH: POINSETTIA

You won’t find a more popular holiday plant in Indianapolis than the poinsettia. Found everywhere from grocery stores to our shelves at the garden center, these classic hostess gift plants are known for their seasonal red-and-green colors—but they’re also reputed to have a dark side. But is their bad reputation warranted?

The truth is, poinsettias are some of the least toxic holiday plants you’ll find. There are a few explanations for why poinsettias have been believed to be toxic for so long—the similarity between the words “poison” and “poinsettia”, for one. There’s another particularly sad myth about a child being found near a poinsettia plant. However, the myth has been disproven many times over, and the worst result you, your pets, or your kids can expect from eating poinsettia is an upset stomach. Scientists have determined that a 50-pound child would need to eat 500 poinsettia leaves before they experienced any grave harm. Frankly, with how difficult it is to get most kids to eat 5 leaves of kid friendly salad, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

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FACT: MISTLETOE IS POISONOUS

Mistletoe is a truly beautiful plant to decorate with. Its attractive slim leaves, graceful stems, and pretty white berries are just as romantic as the mythology around the plant. What most people don’t know is that mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant—rather than soil, it needs a “host”, such as a tree, to grow on. 

Another surprising fact about mistletoe is that its ethereal white berries are toxic when eaten. While an adult may be able to eat a few berries and live to tell the tale, young children and pets are much more at risk. If you have small children or pets living with you, it might be best to opt for the artificial stuff.

MYTH AND FACT: EVERGREENS ARE POISONOUS

What would the holidays be without Christmas trees and fragrant wreaths? Spruce, fir, and pine make up some of the best-known scents of the season. However, not all of these trees are a suitable treat for all the senses. Yew, for instance, is very toxic and can be very harmful if ingested. Fir tree oils are known to cause irritation to the mouth and stomach. The berries of most juniper varieties are also best left alone. Norfolk Island Pine, which is not a true pine but could make an adorable miniature Christmas tree, is toxic to cats and dogs. So much for ‘more bark than bite’!

However, many of your favorite evergreens are perfectly safe. Spruce, for example, is not only safe but used to be considered a staple food by Native Americans. Some pine species—but not all!—are safe and even have antiseptic properties.

If toxicity is a concern for you and you live in the Indianapolis area, consult with our team at Dammann’s before hauling your wreath or Christmas tree home.

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FACT: HOLLY IS POISONOUS

The song gleefully tells us to deck the halls with boughs of holly, but if you have little kids or pets, you may prefer to stick with lights and garland. While the leaves of the holly are fairly safe (albeit prickly!), the red berries are best left to the birds. Holly berries contain very toxic compounds that can seriously injure people and domestic animals. If you love the look of holly for interior decor, choose the artificial stuff—there are some very lifelike replicas available that are much safer to keep in the house.

MYTH: CHRISTMAS CACTUS IS POISONOUS

The unusual segmented stems and trumpet-like blooms of Christmas cactus are another beloved holiday plant. If you receive one of these as a gift this year, feel free to place it wherever you like! While curious kids and pets may push it around or steal a nibble, the plant itself is harmless. 

FACT: AMARYLLIS IS POISONOUS

Forcing amaryllis bulbs is a lot of fun, and we love how they gift us with a big beautiful bloom in time for Christmas. However, amaryllis isn’t exactly the safest plant to keep around kids and animals—especially since their flowers are so hard to ignore. The blooms and stems can cause some pretty scary symptoms for pets; depression, tremors, and stomach upset, among others. Humans may tolerate the stems and flowers to some extent, but the bulb itself is much more toxic if consumed. If you choose to grow amaryllis this year, keep it on a shelf where your household’s smallest residents can’t reach it.

While we all love to surround ourselves with holiday beauty, safety is always priority number one. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for decorating your home with plants this season without running any risks. If you’re in the market for non-toxic Christmas plants in Indianapolis, visit us at Dammann’s! We can introduce you to some fabulously festive, child-and-pet-safe options. Who knows, holiday plant shopping might just become your new Christmas tradition!