Poinsettias along with decorated trees and Santa Claus are a mainstay of Christmas. They are bright red and green as if they were tailor made just for the holidays. But these pretty little plants are actually bad for the Earth. According to Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander author of Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season, 80% of all poinsettias are trucked throughout the country from one grower in Southern California. They don’t live long and end up in landfills. Since its a plant that may not seem so bad, afterall its biodegradable. But when you consider the changes in the environment to make them grow (they aren’t native to the US) and the fuel and exhaust it take to deliver them, that’s a pretty big imprint for such a little plant.
Consider using plants and flowes that are native to your area and that are in season instead. Don’t forget to choose florists that use non-toxic methods for growing their flowers and plants.
