Poinsettias are not considered highly poisonous to humans, and there are no confirmed human deaths from eating them, but they can still cause mild irritation if ingested or touched.

Quick Scoop

  • Eating poinsettia leaves or bracts usually causes at most:
    • Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially in young children.
* Possible mouth or throat irritation due to the plant’s milky sap.
  • Touching the sap can lead to:
    • Mild skin rash or irritation, particularly in people with sensitive skin or latex allergy, since poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family.
  • Toxicology reviews of thousands of reported exposures found:
    • No fatalities and overwhelmingly no or only minor symptoms in both children and adults.

Where the “Poisonous” Myth Came From

  • The deadly reputation traces back to a 1919 story about a child’s death that was incorrectly blamed on poinsettia ingestion, and the story kept circulating for decades.
  • Later scientific testing, including feeding very large amounts of poinsettia to lab animals, failed to show serious toxicity, which helped debunk the myth.

What To Do If Someone Eats One

  • In most cases:
    • Wipe out the mouth, offer a drink of water, and watch for mild stomach upset.
* Call a poison center or a medical professional if a large amount was eaten, symptoms are more than mild, or the person is very young or has medical conditions.
  • Go to emergency services right away if there are:
    • Trouble breathing, swelling of lips or tongue, severe or persistent vomiting, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Safety Tips For Homes With Kids

  • Keep plants out of easy reach of toddlers to avoid:
    • Curious nibbling that could cause an upset stomach or choking on leaves.
  • Wash hands after handling poinsettias, especially if the sap got on the skin, and avoid touching eyes until hands are clean.

Bottom Line

  • Poinsettias are widely tested and regarded as low-toxicity ornamental plants for humans, not deadly poisons.
  • Treat them with normal caution: don’t snack on them, keep them away from very young children, and seek medical advice if symptoms appear.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.