15 Plants You Should Never Use for Holiday Decorations

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Don’t let the holidays fool you, while decking the halls and spreading cheer is a requirement of the season, not everything in your festive display is green. Some plants are pretty and comforting while some are trouble. Not every plant in the world will be a holiday hero. It’s worth thinking about the less obvious cons before you pick up that bundle of foliage to spruce up your home.

They may be harmless or even pretty, but there’s always strings attached: poisonous parts, a stubborn maintenance requirement, or a tendency to bring the bugs along. If you’re considering purchasing any of these plants to use in your holiday decor, here are 15 you might want to think twice before adding to your collection.

Norfolk Island Pine

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Norfolk Island pines are a common substitute for a traditional Christmas tree, and they shed needles like there’s no tomorrow. They’re also mildly toxic, so it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Cedar

12 Types of Wood You Should Never Set Ablaze! — Photo Credit:Lyle Muller/Wikimedia Commons

Its scent is definitely holiday-esque, but cedar can be hell on allergies. If pine needles are bad, cedar bits are worse, and you’ll be sweeping them up for weeks.

Azalea

While these flowers might cheer up a dreary winter day, they are poisonous to pets and humans. Even small amounts of it can cause serious health problems – not the holiday vibe we’re after.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs are undeniably gorgeous, but they are toxic. These plants are the holiday grinch of the plant world, deceptively pretty but they carry a nasty surprise for cats and dogs who may take a nibble.

Christmas Cactus

You might think this festive sounding plant would be safe, but according to PetMD, Christmas cacti can cause stomach upset in pets. They’re also prone to dropping segments when stressed, kind of like that one relative who can’t handle holiday drama.

Ivy

Yes, it’s pretty, draping around a doorway, but ivy is a sneaky troublemaker. It’s toxic and can irritate the skin, according to Mayo Clinic. If you’re not careful, it could later decide that your walls are its new home base.

Juniper

This sweetly fragrant shrub appears to be a good choice for wreaths or garlands. However, be warned, as juniper berries are toxic to both pets and humans. Handling its prickly branches, even with gloves, is also no fun.

Oleander

10 World’s Deadliest Plants You Should Never Touch - Or Eat — Image Credit:Alvesgaspar/Wikimedia Commons

This plant is not just a dabbling toxic, it is dangerous. Oleander is poisonous in every part of it, making it a poor plant for a house with pets, kids, or overly enthusiastic plant chewers.

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is often used as a decorative indoor plant but is anything but festive. It contains compounds that, if chewed, can cause severe irritation and swelling. Who needs that drama over the holidays?

Cyclamen

Cyclamens are a favorite for festivity due to their delicate flowers, but their tubers are highly toxic. If you have pet that like to dig in pots, this one is not for you.

Baby’s Breath

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You may think dried baby’s breath is a dreamy addition to arrangements, but it can irritate your skin and cause an allergic reaction. Plus, once it dries, it crumbles, like an old cookie, hello, vacuum duty.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is trendy and aromatic, so you might think it would be a cool thing to have in your decor. Its oils are toxic to pets and humans and its dried leaves crumble easily, making it more trouble than joy.

Mistletoe

Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek/Wikimedia Commons

Mistletoe might be synonymous with stolen kisses, but it’s no friend to pets or kids. If ingested, its berries are toxic and will make you nauseous and vomit, or worse. Plus, it drops leaves like crazy so you’ll need to clean up more than wrapping paper this season.

Poinsettias

Yes, they are a classic red beauty, but poinsettias are mildly toxic to pets and can cause skin irritation. Then, add in their high maintenance watering needs, and they really don’t seem that magical. If you don’t want to be a plant nursemaid, skip this one.

Holly

Although those bright red berries may be festive, they are a no-no for curious toddlers and pets. Holly is toxic if ingested and it doesn’t help that those spiky leaves are on it. A holly induced hand jab is nothing if not a Christmas topper.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.