A question for you

[Mups]

This is probably a bit daft to some,  but I would like to ask you anyway.

A friend gave me a rather lovely Poinsettia plant a few days ago.   It is in a very pretty gold pot and looks very nice and Christmassy  . . . .  BUT -  now here's the problem.

Lots of people have these plants for Christmas,  with their fiery red leaves,  but attractive as they are,  these plants are also very toxic.   We are even advised to wash our hands after handling one.

For this reason, it is not a plant I would ever buy for myself,  but my friend was so pleased with it, and only had good intentions,  they probably even hadn't a clue how  poisonous they are. 
Now with my Gertie,  -  who I have said before on here - meddling with everything she finds,  I can't risk keeping this plant anywhere near the dogs.   Even if any leaves drops she might eat them.  She meddles for a living!

So here is the question:-

Would you be honest and return it to the couple who bought it for you?

Or,  would you not risk hurting their feelings and quietly give it someone else?

I can't keep it, but I don't want to hurt or embarrass them,  but I am also worried that if they pop in over Christmas they might wonder where I've put it.

How would you feel if someone gave a present back to you?

[Alex]

I'd put it high up on a kitchen window, so animals can't get it.   

Poinsettias are not poisonous. While they are not intended for human or animal consumption, they do not pose significant health risks. If ingested, they may cause mild irritation such as nausea or vomiting, but serious effects are rare. The belief that they are toxic is largely a misconception, and they are much less dangerous than other holiday plants like mistletoe. However, it's still advisable to keep them out of reach of small children and pets

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/are-poinsettias-poisonous/

[Raven]

I never had them because of my dogs, if you want to keep it try a bathroom shelf someplace Gertie can't reach. Or the living room on top of a unit.

[Michael Rolls]

I would put it high out off the way for pets, and for that matter kids, let a decent interval elapse, say well after twelfth night, say how much you had liked it so looked it up on Wikipedia and then to your horror....

[Mups]

I'd put it high up on a kitchen window, so animals can't get it. 

Poinsettias are not poisonous. While they are not intended for human or animal consumption, they do not pose significant health risks. If ingested, they may cause mild irritation such as nausea or vomiting, but serious effects are rare. The belief that they are toxic is largely a misconception, and they are much less dangerous than other holiday plants like mistletoe. However, it's still advisable to keep them out of reach of small children and pets

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/are-poinsettias-poisonous/

That's interesting Alex, and thank you for looking it up.

Only thing is, it says on the label on the plant itself   -   "Natural toxins in these plants make them harmful if eaten by humans or animals.   Wash hands after handling as some plants can cause skin or eye irritation."

I am not sure it's really worth the risk. 





December 16, 2025, 10:41:34 PM

I never had them because of my dogs, if you want to keep it try a bathroom shelf someplace Gertie can't reach. Or the living room on top of a unit.

Yes,  they are certainly not a plant I would choose for myself.

Perhaps I had better try and do what others say, and put it up somewhere out of her reach, and where the leaves can't drop on the floor.   Hmmm . . .   

Thank you for your replies folks.  Much appreciated.
 I just wondered what others would do if they were given a present which they would rather not have, but you didn't want to hurt someone's  feelings.

[Scrumpy]

I would explain to the person.. in a gentle way the things that worry you about the plant..

Many years ago my mum gave me a present of leg warmers ( do you remember them ) ?
She was so excited when phoning asking if I had opened my present.. 
Saying 'When I saw them in the shop I thought of you'..
The legwarmers were yellow and brown stripes.. I looked like a wasp...
Did i tell her ? No..

[JBR]

Marge has been given lilies or poinsettias in the past and, consequently, put them high up on a windowsill or shelf for the reasons already given.
The problem is that leaves eventually fall off and, when on the floor, are then accessible to our cats.  I think we should avoid such things completely for that reason.

[muddy]

Gosh I have just been tending to the poinsettia I bought it was a lovely plant now it's shedding leaves like there is no tomorrow .i think they need lots of water ..
I just hope it will last until Christmas Day ! 
It didn't know they were poisonous but my dog never eats anything .
( bar junk food he loves chips )  

[klondike]

Don't they always go belly up not long after?

[Alex]

It didn't know they were poisonous but my dog never eats anything .
( bar junk food he loves chips ) 

I didn't know either, that's why I Googled it  !   

[muddy]

I would explain to the person.. in a gentle way the things that worry you about the plant..

Many years ago my mum gave me a present of leg warmers ( do you remember them ) ?
She was so excited when phoning asking if I had opened my present..
Saying 'When I saw them in the shop I thought of you'..
The legwarmers were yellow and brown stripes.. I looked like a wasp...
Did i tell her ? No..

Well you can have a bit of a sting ( retort that is ) 😀😀😀

[Scrumpy]

Well you can have a bit of a sting ( retort that is ) 😀😀😀

😃 😃 😃 😃 one up to you Muddy...

[Mups]

Gosh I have just been tending to the poinsettia I bought it was a lovely plant now it's shedding leaves like there is no tomorrow .i think they need lots of water ..
I just hope it will last until Christmas Day !
It didn't know they were poisonous but my dog never eats anything .
( bar junk food he loves chips ) 

Muddy,  the plant label says the opposite about watering, so be careful about giving the plant too much.  I wonder if that's why yours is shedding so many leaves maybe?

Label says:    "Water sparingly to allow the compost to dry-out slightly between watering.  Do NOT over-water or allow the roots to stand in water for long periods."