Poinsettias are popularly, though incorrectly, thought to be toxic to humans and other animals. In 1944, the plant was included in H. R. Arnold’s book “Poisonous Plants of Hawaii” based on this premise. However, research at The Ohio State University is changing that misconception.
“Poinsettias, in fact, are not poisonous,” said Garrett Owen, assistant professor of sustainable greenhouse and nursery systems. “Previous research at [Ohio State] has found that poinsettias are not poisonous, but we do not encourage anybody or any animal to ingest poinsettias.”
In the 1970s, Ohio State’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science debunked the longstanding myth of poinsettias being poisonous. The research assured the public that poinsettias pose no threat, encouraging a reevaluation of the popular holiday plant.
Owen advises buyers to focus on personal preferences when choosing a plant, emphasizing color variations such as reds, whites, pinks and novelties with variegated bracts. He stresses the importance of choosing a visually appealing plant with roundness and well-branched elegance.
He said with care, the colorful plants can last throughout the season.
“Keeping poinsettias beyond the holiday season can be performed. You want to keep those in a sunny window away from cold air drafts, and then you periodically want to water them maybe one to two times a week,” he said. “You want to make sure that the soil is … not over moist because they are susceptible to root rot. So just picking up that pot to see if it’s too wet, you may not want to water it, but if it’s a little dry, you can go ahead and hit it with a little water.”
In 2019, the U.S. poinsettia industry was valued at an impressive $216.5 million, producing around 45 million plants, according to industry reports. As families prepare to adorn their homes with poinsettias, the plant once feared for its perceived toxicity is now celebrated as a symbol of beauty, resilience and the enchantment of the season.
Source: osu.edu