Holiday Plants at Home: A Calm Guide to Poinsettias, Mistletoe and Winter Cherries

Each winter, a few new plants arrive in many American homes.

A poinsettia comes home from the grocery store.

A sprig of mistletoe goes up in a doorway, and a pot of bright little cherries appears on a table.

These seasonal plants bring color to the darkest weeks of the year.

They also raise a common question in homes with children and pets.

Which ones are actually risky, and which ones only have a scary reputation?

This guide answers that calmly, one plant at a time.

It draws on MedlinePlus, the health information service of the National Library of Medicine.

For pets, it points to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

It is general information, not medical advice.

Poinsettias: Less Dangerous Than Their Reputation

Poinsettias may be the most talked-about holiday plant.

Many people still believe they are deadly.

The MedlinePlus article on poinsettia plant exposure says something different.

It states that poinsettias are not poisonous.

It adds that, in most cases, eating this plant does not lead to a trip to the hospital.

That does not mean the plant is a snack.

MedlinePlus explains that the leaves, stem and sap contain substances called diterpene esters.

These can still cause some discomfort.

  • Sap in the eyes can cause burning and redness.
  • Eating leaves can cause mild nausea, vomiting or a stomach ache.
  • Sap on the skin can cause a rash and itching.

MedlinePlus lists simple home steps for an exposure.

  • Rinse the mouth with water if leaves or stems were eaten.
  • Rinse the eyes with water, if needed.
  • Wash irritated skin with soap and water.
  • Seek medical help if the person has a severe reaction.

So you can enjoy a poinsettia without panic.

Keep it out of easy reach of small children, and wash your hands after handling it.

If anyone in your home has sensitive skin, gloves make handling the plant more comfortable.

Mistletoe: Hang It High and Watch the Floor

Mistletoe is a different story.

The MedlinePlus article on mistletoe poisoning describes it as an evergreen plant with white berries.

It says poisoning occurs when someone eats any part of the plant.

It can also happen if someone drinks tea made from the plant or its berries.

MedlinePlus notes that the poisonous ingredient is found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves.

Possible symptoms include blurred vision, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Weakness and drowsiness are also listed.

For mistletoe, MedlinePlus advises seeking immediate medical help.

A few calm habits keep this old tradition safe.

  • Hang mistletoe high, well above the reach of children and climbing pets.
  • Check the floor under it every day for fallen berries and leaves.
  • Consider artificial mistletoe if you have toddlers or curious pets.
  • Never make tea or any home remedy from mistletoe.

Winter Cherries: Pretty Fruit to Keep Out of Reach

Some holiday plants are sold for their bright little fruit.

One of them is the Jerusalem cherry, a small plant with round red and orange fruit.

The MedlinePlus article on Jerusalem cherry poisoning says the poison is found throughout the plant.

It is especially present in the unripe fruit and the leaves.

Shiny fruit at a child's eye level is hard to resist.

  • Place plants with colorful fruit on a high shelf, out of reach.
  • Pick up any fruit that drops right away.
  • Keep the plant tag, so you know exactly what you have.

If you are not sure what a fruiting plant is, treat it as one to keep out of reach.

Other Flowering Gifts

Flowering plants are popular gifts at this time of year.

Some of them deserve more care than others.

For example, MedlinePlus explains that the flowers, fruit and leaves of lily of the valley are poisonous.

Its general page on poisoning lists several plants among possible poisons.

Mistletoe, Jerusalem cherry and lily of the valley all appear on that list.

The best habit is simple.

When a plant arrives as a gift, find out its name before you choose a spot for it.

Then look it up in a trusted source.

Write the name on a small label and tape it under the pot.

Holiday Plants and Pets

Cats and dogs explore new plants just as children do.

A plant that is mild for people is not always mild for a pet.

The ASPCA list of toxic and non-toxic plants lets you check each plant for cats, dogs and horses.

Look up every new holiday plant before it goes on the floor or a low table.

If a pet eats part of a plant, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Our guide to pet-friendly houseplants has more ideas for shared homes.

If Someone Eats Part of a Holiday Plant

Stay calm and follow a few steps.

  • Take any remaining pieces out of the person's mouth.
  • Do not make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to.
  • Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 from anywhere in the United States.
  • For a serious reaction, such as trouble breathing, call 911.

MedlinePlus explains that Poison Help is a free and confidential service.

It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The call does not need to be an emergency.

Have these details ready, as MedlinePlus suggests.

  • The person's age, weight and condition.
  • The name and part of the plant swallowed, if known.
  • The time it was swallowed.
  • The amount swallowed.

Our guide to houseplants and young children covers these steps in more detail.

Caring for a Holiday Plant Calmly

Holiday plants often arrive wrapped in shiny foil or set in a decorative sleeve.

The wrap looks festive, but it can hide a pool of water.

The University of Maryland Extension advises never letting a houseplant sit in water.

  • Lift the plant out of the foil or sleeve before you water.
  • Water slowly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
  • Let it drain fully in the sink, then set it back.
  • Pour out any water that collects in the wrap later.

The UMD Extension also recommends watering by need rather than on a fixed schedule.

Push a finger about two inches into the mix.

Water when it feels dry at that depth.

Our guides on how to water indoor plants and choosing a pot with good drainage explain the routine.

When the Season Ends

After the holidays, decide calmly what stays and what goes.

  • Bag fresh mistletoe and any fallen berries before they go in the trash.
  • Check the floor and furniture for dropped fruit or leaves.
  • If you keep a plant, give it a regular spot with good light and normal care.
  • Wash your hands after handling plants, soil and decorations.

For lights, trees and candles, our guide to calm, cozy holiday decorating covers fire safety.

A Calm Checklist

  • Learn the name of every holiday plant that comes into your home.
  • Enjoy poinsettias, but keep them out of easy reach of small children.
  • Hang mistletoe high and check the floor below it daily.
  • Keep plants with bright fruit on high shelves.
  • Check each plant for pets in the ASPCA list.
  • Save Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222, in your phone.
  • Lift plants out of foil wraps to water, and never leave them in standing water.

Holiday plants are meant to bring a little cheer, not worry.

With a name on every pot and a few high shelves, they can.

Then you can enjoy the color of the season with a calmer mind.

Sources and Further Reading