If you’re looking for ornamental plants in fall or winter, you may be wondering if the rumors are true. “Are Poinsettias poisonous?” If you’re concerned about this popular holiday plant, this should set your mind to ease.
Although Poinsettias, (Euphorbia pulcherrima), are a tropical plant, native to southwestern Mexico and Guatemala, they are a favorite festive plant to give, receive and admire around holidays and Christmas time around the world. And for good reason. In the right conditions of diminished daylight, the green leaves of this popular plant turns shades of vibrant red to pale pink in time for the holidays and New Year.
Before decking the halls with rows of potted poinsettias, or taking them as a hostess gift, many people with new pets or little children naturally want to know whether poinsettias are safe, because “I heard somewhere that poinsettias are poisonous….”
So, Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
While the milky sap in the poinsettia leaf and stem can be a skin irritant for some people, there’s no evidence to date that proves poinsettias are actually poisonous.
This appears to be a case of guilty by association, misidentification or rumor and assumption. An irritation or allergic reactions doesn’t conclude that a plant is poisonous.
The Euphorbia genus contains complex terpenes (diterpenes) that can cause skin irritation from contact, and can cause mild stomach upset in ingested.
However, the pulcherrima species of the favorite Christmas time poinsettias do not contain the trouble causing diterpenes.[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555592/
But let’s break this down a bit more.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Humans?
Poinsettia sap can cause eye irritation or skin rash from contact, or upset stomach if ingested. However, there is no conclusive evidence that poinsettias are poisonous. Some people may be more sensitive than others, and we’ve listed those circumstances below.
People Susceptible to Poinsettia Sensitivities
Avoid direct contact with poinsettia sap if you’re:
- Allergic to latex
- Prone to sensitive skin
- Susceptible to contact dermatitis
- Have atopic eczema or other atopia[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17156355/[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555592/
When irritation from exposure does occur, it’s rare to need medical intervention. However, always play it safe and contact your physician or emergency care facility if you’re concerned about a poinsettia related reaction.
Forty percent of individuals with a latex allergy develop cross-sensitivity with the poinsettia plant.
~STUDY: Bala TM, Panda M. 2006[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16866065/
See The History of Poinsettias on Mitchell’s Nursery blog.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Babies?
The origin of the legend about poinsettias being poisonous reportedly stems from one unconfirmed case of the death of a 2 year old baby in Hawaii in 1919.
That’s over 100 years ago, with no confirmed deaths since then. However, there are circumstances for avoiding contact with poinsettias, and precautions are always prudent, especially when it comes to children and exposure.
If you or anyone in your family is allergic to latex and you have small children, that may be a case for avoiding decorating with poinsettias.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Animals?
Poinsettias are not considered poisonous plants. They may present a mild allergic reaction if ingested, likely due to the latex sap, however, poinsettia plants are not known to be poisonous.
Studies show no internal damage resulted from poinsettia ingestion of poinsettia by animals, even at higher doses. Some irritation was found to occur with external contact with poinsettia sap, though not considered serious.
SOURCE: Dec 2012 study by West J Emerg Med. [5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555592/
It’s rare for any contact or ingestion of poinsettias to pose anything other than possible mild and short-lived discomfort for animals.[6]https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/poinsettia/
However, as always, If your pet is sick NOW, stop reading and contact a poison control center such as Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 ASAP, or your local vet or animal hospital.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Cats?
If your cat has been exposed to poinsettias, it’s rarely anything to worry about. Just monitor them closely and if symptoms become more pronounced, contact your veterinarian for possible medical treatment.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Dogs?
Dogs who nibble on poinsettias may be in for some mild gastrointestinal distress or external irritations. In such cases, it’s usually mild and the most common remedy is to allow time for symptoms to dissipate.
Of course, any time your animal is in acute distress with severe reactions, always seek appropriate medical attention. Here’s another pet emergency number: SPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
Learn more about plants poisonous to dogs here.
The bottom line is that poinsettias are considered to be a safe plant for humans and animals alike.
Poinsettia Medicinal Uses
Are Poinsettias a Medicinal or Toxic Plant?
Perhaps poinsettias are often rumored to be poisonous because of the strong medicine they contain. The entire poinsettia plant, has been used medicinally in folk medicine, from root, to leaves to the poinsettia leaf and plant sap.
However, we have found no scientific studies on the medicinal uses of the poinsettia plant. If you know of any, please let us know so that we may update this article to include those references.
Traditional Folklore Medicinal Benefits and Uses for Poinsettias Include Treatment for:
- Skin conditions
- Warts
- Toothaches
- Fever
- Breast milk production
- Induce abortion
- Poinsettia latex has been used for:
- pain killer
- to kill bacteria
- cause vomiting
- remove hair
- treat warts
- heal other skin disorders
- toothaches
However, no definitive studies have proven these benefits.[7]https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-470/poinsettia The only scientific study indicating possible medicinal benefits that we’ve found was as an anticonvulsant on lab rodents.[8]https://www.drugs.com/npp/poinsettia.html
No Poisonous Effects Found by Researchers
When it comes to poisonous effect of poinsettia plants, researchers have not found any. According to an article Poison.org, by Clinical Toxicologist, Rose Ann Gould Soloway and Poison Specialist, Serkalem Mekonnen, efforts to reach a poisonous dose of poinsettia leaf ingestion did not yield results. Researchers tried experimental doses of around 500-600 leaves, or 1.25 pounds, only to conclude that poinsettias have no dangerous effects.
If you’re into home remedies, you’ll enjoy this fire cider article and recipe or this one on homemade decongestants.
What About Poinsettia Care Beyond December?
So you’re comforted that poinsettias are safe houseplants around humans and animals. You may not be wondering about how to care for your poinsettia plant beyond its holiday bloom time.
If you’re wondering about keeping your poinsettias as potted plants beyond its red showy month/s, here’s information and a video on poinsettia care.
And find more on plants poisonous to dogs here.
Wishing you abundant blossoms!
I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.
While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.
Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.
As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.
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