A Guide to Safe and Unsafe Holiday Houseplants

Amidst the holiday spirit, we can forget that some of these festive plants are actually toxic and dangerous to our kids or pets.

 

Even the Grinchiest of all folks can’t say “bah humbug” when surrounded by the cheer of festive plant decor. There are handcrafted wreaths for the front door, freshly-arranged dining table centerpieces, and the invigorating scent of fresh pine from the Christmas tree. Amidst the holiday spirit, we can forget that some of these festive plants are actually toxic and dangerous to our kids or pets. 

 

Which Christmas Plants Are Safe?

 

Poinsettias

Poinsettias are the quintessential holiday plant with bright red blooms but are unfortunately quite misunderstood. Way back in 1919, a young child was reportedly poisoned by a poinsettia, but the blame was misattributed; poinsettias were innocent! In reality, there are no confirmed cases of poisoning from ingesting this plant. A small child of 50 pounds would have to ingest more than 500 leaves before becoming sick. 

It is worth noting that the plant’s milky sap can irritate the digestive system or cause a mild skin rash, but it won’t cause any severe harm. It’s still a good idea to keep poinsettias out of reach, perhaps using them as a tabletop plant or as part of a dining table centerpiece.  Learning about proper holiday plant care will help you ensure that your blooms are vibrant and healthy all year long.

 

Christmas Cactus

Another popular holiday house plant that blooms in the wintertime is the Christmas cactus. With their pink or lilac tubular flowers and long bloom time, it’s a stunning tabletop addition to bring holiday cheer to your home. 

It is worth noting that the Christmas cactus is not a typical cactus, so it has no spines (needles characteristic of cacti); it’s safe to keep within reach of children or pets. However, if a child or pet ingests several inches of the stem, it may upset the digestive system, but the Christmas cactus is not considered toxic in general.  

 

Which Christmas Plants Are Unsafe? 

Holly

A classic festive plant commonly added to holiday floral arrangements, holly is unfortunately on our unsafe list. The berries, in particular, are highly toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain if eaten by children or pets. Even five berries will cause extreme upset to the digestive system. The best way to use holly, if you have children or pets, is in a wreath for the front door or decorations in the home that are kept far out of reach. 

 

Amaryllis

A beautiful addition to the home due to its deep Christmas red blooms, Amaryllis also comes in a variety of colors. Although its trumpet-shaped flowers generally do not flower in the winter, you can force it to bloom in time for the holidays. 

It’s unfortunately on our list of beautifully dangerous festive plants, as Amaryllis is toxic to children and pets. The bulb of the plant is the most toxic, although the leaves and flowers contain toxins as well. Ingestion can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, nausea, and even tremors; it’s best to keep it out of reach on a tabletop or shelf. 

 

What About Christmas Trees?

To many, a collection of holiday houseplants wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas tree. Fir, spruce, and pine trees are excellent choices and are safe for pets and children. 

The issue lies in the needles, which tend to drop from trees when they dry up or suffer from transport stress. If handled or ingested, Christmas tree needles can irritate the stomach, mouth, throat, and skin and can also be a choking hazard.

If you have children or pets and a fresh Christmas tree is a must, vacuum the needles up meticulously and frequently, or cordon off the tree from those curious little hands and paws.  

 

Visit us at Primex Garden Center in Glenside for all your holiday decor and festive plant needs. We’d love to help you set up for a safe and worry-free holiday season!