Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used plasticizer. Human exposure has been documented, and therefore it is important to investigate the toxic potential of this compound. When DEHP was administered in vivo, it was found to be a developmental toxicant in rodents. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if DEHP was directly embryo‐toxic to rat embryos. Embryos were cultured for 44 h beginning on gestational d 10. Embryos were cultured in rat serum to which DEHP was added to attain final concentrations within the 0.01–2.0% range. DEHP decreased growth and development at all tested concentrations higher than 0.5%. These results suggest that the parent compound itself is able to alter normal embryonic growth and development; however the high embryotoxic concentrations are unlikely to be attained in vivo.