When the Christmas season begins, many households are adorned with a common plant— the vividly colored poinsettia. Although it looks very colorful, it isn’t a true flowering plant. Since it is visually appealing and can add vibrancy to interiors, many people choose to decorate their homes with poinsettias instead of spending money on pricey flowers.
The poinsettia is originally a native plant of Mexico, where it grows wild. Joel Robert Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, introduced it to the United States in 1825. Legend has it that he brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, South Carolina. Since then, this plant has become a household name across the country.
The Story Behind the Poinsettia
There are a few stories associated with this plant. According to one legend, a young girl named Pepita didn’t have a gift to present to baby Jesus. As she made her way to the church, she picked a handful of weeds along the way. As she approached the church, the weeds miraculously bloomed into vibrant flowers, which became known as “Flowers of the Holy Night” or Flores de Noche Buena.
The Various Names of the Poinsettia
The Aztecs referred to the plant as Cuetlaxochitl and used the bracts to make a reddish-purple dye. In Chile and Peru, the poinsettia is called the “Crown of the Andes,” while it is also known as the “Flame Leaf Flower.” It is a perennial shrub that can grow up to ten feet tall.
Botanically Speaking
The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also called Mexican Flame Leaf, is a partially deciduous shrub that is erect, spreading, and sparsely branched. The leaves are lobed or toothed, ovate to lance-shaped, and medium to deep green in color, measuring about 15 cm in length.
Poinsettias come in a variety of colors, ranging from white to pink to the traditional red. There are also shades of yellow, peach, and marbled, wrinkled, or flecked bracts. Grown from small cuttings, they are cultivated in all fifty states, though most of them originate from the Paul Ecke Ranch in California.
Is It Poisonous?
Many people mistakenly believe that the poinsettia is poisonous. However, according to scientific tests conducted by Ohio State University, the plant is non-toxic to both humans and animals. Studies by Carnegie Mellon University and Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh found no significant toxicity after 22,793 reported exposures. Therefore, pet owners need not worry about poinsettias. That said, it’s still advisable to keep the plant out of reach of small children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion. Like all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not edible and could cause discomfort if eaten.
Price
Poinsettias typically range in price from under $10 to more than $100, depending on their variety, size, shape, decorative trim, and quality. When purchasing a poinsettia, look for bracts that are fully colored and expanded, sturdy stems, no signs of wilting, and abundant green foliage.
Care
Poinsettias require indirect sunlight, room temperature, and moderate soil moisture. The most common threats to the plant are excessive heat and overwatering. To keep your poinsettia healthy, avoid soggy soil, extreme temperatures, and cold drafts. With proper care, your poinsettias can thrive throughout Christmas and beyond. These plants also make popular gifts and are a favorite decorative item.
How to Care for Poinsettias in Different Seasons
In winter, the poinsettia produces terminal cymes, about 30 cm across, with green cyathia encircled by large, bright red bracts. Some varieties have white or cream involucra. While these vibrant red bracts are often mistaken for flowers, the true flowers are the small yellow buds at the center.
You can grow poinsettias in spring by sowing seeds or dividing the plant in early spring, or using basal cuttings in early summer or spring. To prevent bleeding, dip the cut surfaces in charcoal or lukewarm water.
Poinsettias thrive in a soil mix of 3 parts loam-based potting compost and 1 part grit. They need a well-ventilated area with full light. During growth, water sparingly and apply a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep the plant dry during winter.
Poinsettias are short-day plants and require special care to bloom for Christmas. To encourage blooming, place the plants where night temperatures are around 15°C (60°F), and ensure they are kept away from artificial light at night.
To initiate flowering, poinsettias need 12-14 hours of complete darkness each day for at least two months. You can control the day length by placing the plant in a dark area at 5 pm and removing it at 8 am. This needs to be done for 11 weeks, starting in mid-autumn, to achieve a vibrant bloom by Christmas. Remember to water adequately, regulate night temperatures, and fertilize to get the best color display during the holidays.
After flowering, to maintain the brightest bract colors, keep the compost moist and place the plant in a brightly lit room. If the plant gets too cold, it may lose its color and start shedding leaves and bracts. Therefore, ensure it is well covered during the flowering season when purchased.
