Poinsettia Facts and Care Tips

Poinsettias are among the most popular flowers associated with Christmas, and with the proper care, they will last throughout the holiday season and beyond. Learn poinsettias facts and care tips in this video by Better Homes and Gardens:

Poinsettias were first brought to the U.S. from Mexico in the early 1800’s by diplomat Joel Poisett. While associated with the holiday season, they are actually tropical plants from a dry forest habitat that are coaxed to bloom at the holidays.

While red is the traditional color, new varieties like peach, green, chartreuse, and pure white, along with marbled and splotched varieties in multiple colors, are available. What people commonly refer to as “flowers” are actually modified colored leaves called bracts; the flowers are the tiny points in the middle. The tighter the flower buds, the longer the poinsettia will last. Some plants will have an extra layer of bracts in the middle, while others have rose-type bracts. You can slip poinsettias into more decorative containers and use them to decorate tabletops and fireplaces decor; some people who live in small spaces even substitute a huge poinsettia for a Christmas tree.

To care for poinsettias, keep them in bright indirect light, water when dry, and keep out of cold drafts. Wrap them in plastic if you are transporting them when the outdoor temperature is below 50 F. Contrary to urban myth, poinsettias are non-toxic and will not kill children or pets. The milky sap is a skin and eye irritant, however, so you should take care when handling them.

If you live in a frost-free environment, you can experiment with planting poinsettias in your yard, although the process is very detailed and high maintenance and is not recommended for the casual gardener.