Poinsettias are beautiful and one of those statement Christmas items right up there with Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and gingerbread houses. That being said, many people avoid them in fear of accidentally poisoning their pets and/or children.  This idea that Poinsettias will kill your child or your pet is totally FALSE!

Here are some Poinsettia facts:

  • Contact with the milky white sap can be an irritant and can cause a mild, itchy rash. According to the Mayo Clinic if this occurs, wash with soap and water and use a cold compress to sooth the rash.  If the sap comes in contact with the eyes, flush them out with water.
  • Consuming any part of the plant can cause a mild stomachache, vomiting or diarrhea. This applies to both humans and pets.  If you stumble upon your child munching on the leaves clear their mouth and rinse their mouth out with water.
  • A child would have to eat about five leaves to get sick and close to five hundred or more leaves to die, according to WebMD. This is still probably nothing to worry about because the Poinsettia leaves taste absolutely awful… not speaking from experience here.

Now that no one is nervous about bringing home a Poinsettia this holiday season, here are a few tips in keeping them happy and blooming all holiday season:  Poinsettias prefer lots of bright, indirect light and are sensitive to extreme temperatures so its best to keep them away from the front door where they could get blasted by cold wind or away from heat vents.  Water the plants thoroughly once the soil is dry and if your Poinsettia comes wrapped in foil or a festive pot make sure it isn’t sitting in water.

Poinsettias come in a variety of colors- red, yellow, white, pink or even multicolored.  There are plenty of options to add some festive Christmas plants to your home this year!

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