Our Plant of the Week this week is the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), a plant popular in many Christmas displays because of its bright red and green leaves. Their name comes from Joel Poinsettia, the US Minister to Mexico, who initially brought the plant to the US. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias grow on Pacific-facing slopes and require short winter days to achieve their red color. They need at least 14 hours of darkness!
Poinsettia leaves can be dark green, bright red, orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled, depending on the cultivar. This means there are countless ways to customize your display.
One misconception about poinsettias is how dangerous they are to humans. This was spread in the 1910s as an urban legend about a 2-year-old dying after eating a poinsettia leaf. After being studied, however, it was found that these plants rarely lead to serious health problems, although they can cause nausea or vomiting if eaten. Touching the sap may cause a rash or mild swelling.
If you want your poinsettias to last indoors, set them in a window so they can get bright daylight. If you want to keep them outside, they prefer 4–6 hours of sun a day, although they don’t do well in temperatures below 50F. You can water them when the soil feels dry to the touch; just make sure to plant them in a pot that allows the soil to drain. Like many plants, poinsettias are susceptible to root rot.
Overall, these festive shrubs are incredibly popular in America, with around 70 million poinsettias sold around Christmastime. We use them in churches, homes, and businesses every year to celebrate the season of giving.
If you have any questions, let us know!
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