For years poinsettias had the bad reputation of being poisonous. While they are not meant to be eaten by humans, pets or livestock, ingesting poinsettias would probably cause some stomach upset, as would eating most any houseplant. However poinsettias have undergone extensive testing and there is no evidence that they are toxic or unsafe to have in the house. They are also safe to put into the compost.
A more likely problem to watch out for is contact dermatitis. Euphorbias exude a milky sap when broken. (Think of milkweed.) Some people are sensitive to this sap, which can cause an itchy rash. Be especially careful not to rub your eyes after touching the plants.
They’re beautiful, they’re safe, they say Christmas. The only remaining question is whether to save them from year to year. Now that you know they are safe, read about how to care for your holiday poinsettias.
