'Tis the season to decorate with poinsettias and mistletoe: We explain their history
Two very distinct plants – poinsettias and mistletoe – have gained popularity as holiday decorations.
Because of its vivid red, pink, and white hues, the poinsettia, one of the most popular winter holiday plants, is a decorator's dream. Since the early 19th century, they have made the holidays more cheerful, according to the Library of Congress.
And for holiday lovers hoping to share a kiss beneath its branches, mistletoe has been seen as a mythical plant. It is associated with fertility, life, power and tranquility, according to History.com.
We describe the interesting connection that exists between these two plants to the holiday season:
Interesting facts about the poinsettia
With its vivid hues, the poinsettia has been an iconic part of our seasonal décor since it arrived in the U.S. in 1828 thanks to Joel Robert Poinsett, the first American ambassador to Mexico, who brought the plant back to his native state of South Carolina.
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How to care for poinsettias inside your home
Poinsettias are a bright addition to your holiday decor. Here's how to have them last for the holidays and beyond, according to the University of Minnesota.
- Remove any plastic wrapping or foil. It will need proper water drainage to prevent root rot.
- Since poinsettias are native to South America, they prefer warmer temperatures. Try to keep between 65 to 70 degrees during the day and slightly cooler at night at around 60 degrees.
- Be sure to check the soil daily, it should be moist but not soggy. Both dryness and over-watering can cause the plant to droop and the leaves to fall off.
Are poinsettias poisonous?
The poinsettia may have gotten its bad reputation for being considered poisonous to humans in 1919, according to Harvard Health Publishing, when a child of an army officer was said to have died after consuming a portion of a poinsettia plant. Whether the plant was to blame is unknown.
A survey of almost 23,000 cases of people consuming poinsettia published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed there were no fatalities. In almost all cases, 96% didn't need any outside medical care, while 92% had no symptoms at all.
The plant may be mildly toxic to your pets. The dangers of these plants rarely lead to fatal or serious outcomes, says the American Kennel Club. The sap in poinsettias contains chemicals similar to those in detergents. If ingested in large amounts, the sap can lead to vomiting, drooling, or, in some cases, diarrhea. Poinsettias have a low toxicity level.
Christmas wishes and mistletoe kisses
A Christmas custom deeply rooted in magic and folklore is kissing beneath a twig of mistletoe, with its glossy leafy foliage and berries.
The Celtic Druids of the first century A.D. are credited with giving the plant its romantic connotations, according to History.com. The Druids regarded mistletoe as a mystical symbol of life since it could bloom even in the dead of winter. With the aim of restoring fertility, they would give it to both humans and animals.
In the Victorian era, a "kissing" ball, composed of ribbons and mistletoe, was placed as a decoration to represent love and devotion for holidays, marriages, and other important occasions.
Is mistletoe poisonous?
The short answer: Yes. Mistletoe contains a toxin called phoratoxin, which can be found in all parts of the plant, especially the leaves. If consumed, it can cause weakness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision and sometimes seizures, which can affect all parts of the body.
Try to keep mistletoe plants out of the reach of small children and pets. If a child or pet consumes it, it's best to check with poison control (800-222-1222), your physician, or your veterinarian for medical advice.
Contributing, Olivia Munson
SOURCE AgAmerica.com, Harvard Health Publishing, Oklahoma State University Extension, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Michigan State University and U.S. Geological Society
This story was updated to add new information.