Poinsettia-the History, the Folklore...the Plant

Feature Plant: Poinsettia

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! With the month of December upon us, I thought it would be a good time to talk about Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season. Known for its vibrant colors, this plant has a rich history, fascinating folklore and unique botanical features. 

The History: The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America where it thrives in the tropical rainforests. Back to the 14th century, the Aztecs valued the plant for its vibrant red color and used the bracts to create dye and the milky sap for medicinal purposes, such as treating fevers. In the 17th century, the poinsettia became attached to Mexican Christmas traditions, as the Franciscan monks began using the flower in their nativity processions. Coincidentally, this occurred around the same time as a legend of the "Flowers of the Holy Night" began. The poinsettia's introduction to the United States was credited to the first U.S ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1828 when he took clippings of the plant to propagate in his South Carolina greenhouse. December 12th is now National Poinsettia Day in remembrance of Poinsett's death and the plant's cultural significance. 

The Folklore: According to the legend "Flowers of the Holy Night", a poor child named Pepita wanted to bring a gift to baby Jesus at a Christmas service and had no money to buy one, but was reminded by her cousin "that even the most humble gift if given in love, will be acceptable in his eyes". An angel appeared and encouraged Pepita to gather weeds from a roadside. When she placed the weeds on the alter, they transformed into beautiful red poinsettias. Because of this story, the poinsettia is often referred to as the "Christmas Eve Flower".

Poinsettia (Red)

The Plant:  An interesting fact about poinsettia is that the colorful parts are not at all flowers, but rather bracts, or modified leaves. The colorful bracts draw pollinators to the true flowers, which are the small yellow-green clusters called cyathia, located in the center of the bracts. While red is the most popular color, this plant has been cultivated into a range of shades from pink to white, marbled and variegated varieties. In its native habitat it can grow up to 10-15 feet tall, but indoors it remains as as compact potted plant. Care is relatively easy with the correct conditions. Place your plant in a location with bright light and avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. Also avoid cold drafts, which can cause the leaves to drop. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry and ensure that there is proper drainage. After the holiday season, feed your poinsettia with a balanced houseplant fertilizer every two to three weeks.

Poinsettia (Pink/Variegated)

How to Get Your Poinsettia to Rebloom: To get your poinsettia to rebloom for the next holiday season, prune the plant back to six inches in height after it stops blooming. During spring and summer, place it in a sunny spot outdoors or indoors and continue regular watering and feeding. Beginning in late September, provide 14-16 hours of total darkness each night and bright light during the day. This mimics the shorter days of winter and triggers the development of the colorful bracts.

Safety: Poinsettias have a reputation for being poisonous, but it is largely a myth. The sap can cause mild skin irritation or stomach discomfort if ingested in large quantities, but it is not considered highly toxic. To be on the safe side, it is still good practice to keep these plants out of the reach of pets and children.

In conclusion, besides being aesthetically appealing, Poinsettia have been a symbol of good will, purity, rebirth, peace and hope throughout history. They will bring lasting color and a touch of the holiday season to your home. 

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Catch up on posts and other news with my newsletter, Northeastern Gardening News. Subscribe for free to receive monthly updates.

Exciting News: There is a new book in the works which covers over 120 selections of houseplants with detailed information on characteristics, care requirements, maintenance, propagation, common houseplant insects and diseases, treatment and more. Follow My Author Page for the release date, sometime in early 2025!

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved.