Red Poinsettia

Poinsettias are one of the top holiday plants. December 12th is National Poinsettia Day; it marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett who introduced the Mexican native plant to the United States in 1828.  Poinsett was the first American ambassador to Mexico. He often walked the Mexican countryside in search of new plant species. During his time there, he found a shrub with large red flowers growing next to the road. Poinsett took cuttings from this plant and sent them to his greenhouse in South Carolina for further study. Euphorbia pulcherrima, the poinsettia’s botanical means, literally means “the most beautiful Euphorbia.”

The ancient Aztecs believed the poinsettia was a symbol of purity. The poinsettia’s association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to give a Christmas gift. The story says that the girl was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from a roadside and place them in front of a church alter. Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.

Although we typically only seem them in small containers, Poinsettias are classified as large shrubs that can reach a height of 16 feet. With dark green leaves, colored bracts (the colorful part of the plant), and a blooming season coinciding with the Christmas season, the poinsettia makes a great addition to any holiday decoration. In addition to red, poinsettias also bloom in cream, lemon, peach, and pink hues.