Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Rabbits?

Popular Poinsettias

• Christmas trees are ubiquitous in December, but the poinsettia gives the evergreen a run for its money in the holiday popularity contest. Its natural winter hues are bright red and green, so no decorations are required. The red "flowers" that top lateral shoots are actually modified leaves termed bracts; you have to look closer to notice the tiny yellow buds. Poinsettia cultivars sold during the holidays are selected for the size and amount of the bracts.

Beyond Christmas

• Like Clark Kent, poinsettias have another, stronger personality just waiting to emerge from the table-size holiday decoration. Poinsettias are first and foremost fast-growing shrubs that shoot up to 10 feet or more in a season. Inexpensive, easy-to-grow and endlessly accommodating, the poinsettia shrub offers large, oval leaves pointed at the tip and blood-red winter bracts year after year in gardens and backyards in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Persistent Rumors of Toxicity

• It is unlikely that a holiday season passes without the local newspaper running at least one article about the danger of children and pets ingesting poisonous poinsettia parts. Whether you share your home with nibbling bunnies or curious toddlers, you need hesitate no longer to invite a poinsettia to your Christmas celebration. Poinsettias just got a bad rap. Research at The Ohio State University proved conclusively that the foliage of the "most beautiful" shrubs are not poisonous to either pets or humans. Even the House Rabbit Society agrees that poinsettias are not a particular bunny threat. Of course, it is wise to keep bunnies (and tots) from munching on any plant foliage.

Nurturing Poinsettias

• Unleash your potted poinsettia's potential by planting it in a sunny garden location; sun keeps the shrub's foliage full and healthy. The plant doesn't require much watering, but regular mulching impedes root knot. Your shrub will produce additional branches (and grow thicker foliage) if you trim it back before new spring growth begins. For extra bracts and blossoms, you can also pinch the shoots back occasionally during the growing season. Cease all trimming in mid-August to avoid removing bud nuclei and reducing winter color. If you want more poinsettias, just stick woody stem cuttings in the garden and keep moist.