The vibrant red plant that defines the holiday season is officially known as the Poinsettia. This iconic plant, a member of the spurge family, has become the most popular potted plant sold in the United States and Canada during the Christmas season. Its striking coloration and festive appearance cemented its status as a symbol of winter holiday cheer, and its common name honors the individual who first introduced it to the United States.
The True Name and Structure of the Plant
The Poinsettia’s scientific designation is Euphorbia pulcherrima, which translates from Latin to “the most beautiful Euphorbia.” It is a woody shrub native to Mexico and Central America that can grow quite large in its natural habitat. The brilliant red portions are not the plant’s petals, but modified leaves known as bracts. Bracts attract pollinators to the true flowers, called cyathia, which are small, yellowish-green bead-like structures clustered in the center. The plant is a photoperiodic species, requiring long periods of uninterrupted darkness to develop these colorful bracts.
Why This Plant Defines the Holidays
The Poinsettia’s deep-rooted connection to the Christmas season traces back to its native Mexico, where it is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or the Christmas Eve Flower. Its association with the holiday is often linked to a 16th-century Mexican legend about a poor girl named Pepita. The story tells of Pepita who could only offer a humble bouquet of roadside weeds as a gift for the Christ child at a Christmas Eve service. When she placed the weeds at the altar, they miraculously transformed into the brilliant red Poinsettia. The plant’s star-shaped leaf pattern is also said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, while the red color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus. The plant was first brought to the United States in the 1820s by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, who sent cuttings back to his home in South Carolina.
Basic Seasonal Care Requirements
To keep a Poinsettia healthy through the holiday season, one must maintain specific environmental conditions, as the plant is sensitive to temperature and light fluctuations. Poinsettias thrive best when placed in a location that receives bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day. Windows facing south, east, or west are generally suitable, but direct, intense midday sun can scorch the colored bracts.
Temperature control is the most important factor in maintaining the plant’s health. The ideal daytime temperature range is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with slightly cooler temperatures around 60 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The plant will suffer damage if exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plant away from cold drafts, exterior doors, and heat registers.
Watering should only occur when the soil surface feels dry to the touch, which prevents the roots from sitting in overly saturated conditions. When watering, saturate the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Never allow the plant to sit in standing water, especially if it is wrapped in decorative foil, as this is the most common cause of root rot and premature leaf drop. Poinsettias purchased during their peak bloom phase generally do not require fertilization.
Dispelling the Toxicity Myth
A persistent misconception suggests the Poinsettia is highly poisonous, but this is largely an exaggerated myth. Scientific studies and data from poison control centers indicate that the plant is only mildly toxic. The milky white sap, or latex, found in the stems and leaves contains compounds that can cause irritation. If a large quantity is ingested by humans or pets, symptoms are typically limited to mild stomach upset, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The plant is not considered deadly, even to small children or household animals. Contact with the sap on the skin may cause a temporary rash or mild irritation, but the plant does not pose a severe poisoning risk.