What would the holidays be without plants? From boughs of holly to chestnuts to the Christmas tree, horticulture is key to the season. However, some of the plants we choose to bring into our homes can have some unexpected consequences. Here are some ways you can protect yourself, your pets, and Florida’s native ecosystems this winter.
While our holiday greenery and flowers may be festive and beautiful, several plants can be dangerous for children and pets. Here is a list of some examples below:
- Hollies: Berries can cause digestive issues, loss of appetite, and oral bleeding in pets and are also toxic to humans.
- Mistletoe: All parts of this plant are poisonous to pets and humans.
- Amaryllis: All parts of the plant are toxic to plants, but toxins are more concentrated in the bulb.
- Cyclamen: All parts of the plants are poisonous to humans and pets.
- Lillies: Highly toxic to cats.
If you have pets or children, you may want to consider opting for artificial greenery and avoiding adding these plants into areas that are accessible. Also, if you are working with these plant materials consider wearing gloves and washing your hands after handling. If you believe a person has consumed any holiday plant material, contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222 and seek medical help. If a pet is suspected of eating any toxic plant material, seek the advice of a veterinarian.
On a quick side note, poinsettias are often thought of as a toxic plant. But while they can cause some digestive problems for pets, they are much lower toxicity than those listed above. The biggest danger with these are to humans with a latex allergy due to the chemical composition of their sap.
Beware of wreaths and arrangements
One holiday hazard many people do not think of is that posed by the plants commonly found in wreaths and flower arrangements. Created or grown elsewhere and shipped to Florida, we can find many invasive species in these materials that can wreak havoc on native ecosystems. These include the white berries of dried tallow branches which is the Chinese Tallow tree (sometimes called the popcorn tree), the red berries of coral ardisia, or the orange berries of Oriental Bittersweet.
While we may buy these for their beauty, those berries found in dried material may still be viable and lead to more invasive trees that outcompete native species. It is better to use floral and wreath materials from native plants or artificial ones than to purchase those containing invasives.
Additionally, coral ardisia is sometimes sold as a potted holiday plant so do not plant this or unknown plants outside without proper identification. However, you can safely plant many other holiday species in your Florida landscape including poinsettias and amaryllis.
What to plant in your garden this December
Vegetables: Cauliflower, Beet, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese cabbage, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion, Parsley, Mustard, and Radish.
Herbs: Parsley, Thyme, Sage, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Comfrey, and Cilantro.
Annuals: Petunia, Pansy, Snapdragon, Lobelia, Alyssum, and Viola.
Bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, or corms: Agapanthus, Amaryllis, Aztec lily, Calla lily, Hurricane lily, Kaffir lily, Paper Whites, Shell Ginger, Spider lily, and Zephyr lily.
