Few plants have as many names as the the poinsettia. Bought primarily during the holidays, they are one of the most popular potted plants in the United States.
Deep roots
What we call the poinsettia is native to Mexico and was called Cuetlaxochitl by the Aztecs. The Aztecs used its sap to cure fever and its red leaves to make dye. The Aztec legend is that the plants were a gift from the gods as a reminder of the sacrifice made to create the universe, and were to be repaid by human sacrifice.
Multiple names
After Mexico was conquered by the Spanish, the plants got a new name, “la flor de Nochebuena,” or Holy Night flower. Instead of indicating human sacrifice of the Aztecs, the blood red color symbolized Christ’s sacrifice and is associated with the Christmas season. In Mexico, poinsettias in the wild are much different than those we buy in stores today. Some plants can grow more than 15 feet tall.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Other names: Christmas star, Easter flower, lobster flower plant, Mexican flame leaf, painted leaf
In some parts of Europe, it is customary to give poinsettias as a gift on Christmas Eve. The star-shaped clusters of the plant are said to resemble the Star of Bethlehem.
Coincidental twist
In Mexico, poinsettias are displayed around Dia de la Virgen on Dec. 12. In the U.S., Poinsettia Day is also Dec. 12. The date is in remembrance of Joel Poinsett, who died Dec. 12, 1851. Poinsett was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 1828, as well as a botanist who collected plant species. He is credited with introducing the plant to the U.S. and successfully growing it in his greenhouse in South Carolina. The plant was named after him by a botanical society in Europe.
A matter of bract
Often mistaken for flower petals, the red leaves of poinsettias are called bracts. The bright red bracts attract pollinators.
This file photo shows a view of poinsettias. (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Myth buster
The belief that poinsettias are poisonous to humans and animals is a misconception. Studies conducted by The Ohio State University in cooperation with the Society of American Florists concluded that no toxicity was evident at experimental ingestion levels far exceeding those likely to occur in a home environment. That said, the plant’s sap may produce a mild reaction in those allergic to latex.
California roots
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, about 34 million poinsettia plants are sold in the U.S. It wasn’t always this way. The popularity of the poinsettia is mostly due to the Ecke family from California. The Eckes developed a way to breed plants that produced many long-lasting blooms and were easy to transport. In the early 1900s, Paul Ecke Sr. began selling poinsettias from a roadside stand in Hollywood. His son, Paul Ecke Jr., improved their breeding and got them on the sets of popular TV shows such as the “Tonight Show” and “Bob Hope Christmas Specials.” For a while, the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas produced about 90% of the poinsettias sold in the world.
Branching out
In 1990, a report by botanists at the University of Minnesota revealed how the grafting process used by the Ecke family yielded the compact, so-called “free-branching” poinsettias. After this revelation, competition began to stiffen, and in 2012 the Ecke family sold its company to a Dutch agricultural operation, citing global competition and consolidation.
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There are hundreds of types of poinsettias. Along with the traditional red, poinsettias can be pink, white or yellow.
Going to the dark side
The Penn State botany department states that poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning that waning daylight triggers the flowers. Despite the term “short-day,” research has shown that it is really the length of night, or darkness, that is important in the blooming cycle. In order to flower for the winter holiday season, a poinsettia needs 12-14 hours of darkness each day, beginning around Oct. 1. Even a short light interruption during the dark period can reset the clock and prevent the plant from blooming.
U.S. horticulture
The poinsettia is one of the best-selling flowers worldwide. It’s especially popular in the U.S, where the market grew to $213.7 million in sales in 2021, according to the USDA. That’s a 40% increase from 2020. California is the top poinsettia-producing state. Other top poinsettia-producing states include North Carolina, Texas, Florida and Ohio.
Poinsettia care
With proper care, your poinsettia will last through the holiday season and right into late winter. Here are some tips to make it last:
Place in a room where there is bright natural light but not where the sun will shine directly on the plant.
Keep the plant away from locations where it will receive hot or cold drafts.
Place the plant high enough to be out of reach of unmonitored children and pets.
Set the plant in a waterproof container to protect your furniture.
Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Discard any excess water which remains in the saucer after 10 minutes.
The bright color of the bracts will remain longer if temperatures do not exceed 71.6 degrees.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clemson University, University of Minnesota, poinsettiaday.com, Penn State University, University of Vermont, ffa.org, bradfordgreenhouses.com
