Homeowners urged to keep this one festive plant out of kitchen this November — 'It's a hygiene nightmare waiting to happen'

News
By published

Keep your poinsettia away from your food

A poinsettia sitting on a table next to gifts with a Christmas tree in the background
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As the festive season is upon us, we find ourselves looking for ways to bring the cozy, charming nature of the holiday season into our homes. Plants are one of the easiest ways to do this, but there are some plants that should never come into your kitchen.

If you're anything like me, this will be brand new information and now I'm wondering how many years I've put my dinner guests at risk from the trouble some of these plants can cause. And experts have warned about one plant in particular – poinsettias.

Why poinsettias should stay out of the kitchen

Someone pinching the red bracts on a poinsettia with a gift next to it

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Caitlin King is the CEO of Wrap Your Kitchen and when it comes to poinsettias this holiday season, she says: "Poinsettias are messy plants that constantly drop leaves, especially in the warm, humid environment of a kitchen.

"Those fallen leaves can carry sap residue, which then spreads across your surfaces. It's a hygiene nightmare waiting to happen."

And your poinsettia will drop more leaves, like most houseplants, if its underwatered or overwatered, but figuring out the best middleground can be tricky.

So, how worried about poinsettia sap should we be? Well, according to the National Capital Poison Center: "If children and pets eat it, they can develop a mouth rash and stomach upset. The sap can cause a skin rash, too."

And what you don't in the festive season (or any other time of the year) is uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms.

"It's a hygiene nightmare waiting to happen."

Caitlin King, CEO of Wrap Your Kitchen

Luckily, I've not fallen victim to the effects of poinsettia sap, but that doesn't mean it can't easily happen and I can certainly see how the leaves falling around your kitchen worktops could expose you to the potential upsetting side effects.

While I'm left feeling bad about all the poinsettias I've gifted in the past, I think going forward I'll pop a little 'don't put it in your kitchen' note along with them. Because you can still enjoy these festive houseplants in your home – just not around your food.

Here's what to use instead

Herbs in white pots on windowsill

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

While Caitlin has been kind enough to impart her expert advice on avoiding poinsettias in the kitchen, she also has some festive alternatives to share: "The good news is there are plenty of kitchen-friendly alternatives that look beautiful without the hygiene headaches.

"Herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary are perfect: they smell amazing, they're useful for cooking, and they're completely safe around food." And buying herbs for friends and family over the holidays is also a great gift!

She adds: "If you want flowers, opt for sunflowers or gerberas in a clean vase. They don't produce excessive pollen, and they're non-toxic. Just remember to change the water every couple of days and wipe down the vase exterior regularly."

But, having no poinsettias in the kitchen doesn't have to be the end of your love affair with the festive-loving plant. Instead, you could pop your poinsettia on a fireplace (because what's more festive than a crackling fire), on a windowsill, or on a side table around your home. Anywhere, but your kitchen.

More from Tom's Guide

Grace Dean
Grace Dean

Grace is a freelance journalist working across homes, lifestyle, gaming and entertainment. You'll find her writing for Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Space.com, and other sites. If she's not rearranging her furniture, decluttering her home, or relaxing in front of the latest streaming series, she'll be typing fervently about any of her much-loved hobbies and interests. To aid her writing, she loves to head down internet rabbit holes for an unprecedented amount of time.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.