The vibrant red and green plant that graces homes during the winter months is the undisputed Christmas flower, the Poinsettia. Known scientifically as Euphorbia pulcherrima, this plant has become a global symbol of the holiday season. Its striking, festive appearance makes it a favorite for seasonal decoration. Its widespread presence in December is a modern tradition rooted in a rich history and unique botanical structure.
The Botanical Reality of the Poinsettia
The most noticeable parts of the Poinsettia are commonly mistaken for flower petals, but they are actually specialized leaves called bracts. These modified leaves, which can be brilliant red, pink, white, or marbled, surround the plant’s true flowers. The actual flowers are the small, yellowish-green structures clustered in the center of the bracts, known as cyathia.
The plant belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Its scientific name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, translates to “the most beautiful Euphorbia.” The bright colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning they require long periods of uninterrupted darkness to change color. This explains why the plant naturally displays its festive coloring during the short days of winter.
Cultural History and Holiday Symbolism
The Poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a woody shrub or small tree. In its homeland, it is known as Flores de Nochebuena, or “Christmas Eve Flower,” because it naturally blooms during the winter.
This association is cemented by a popular Mexican legend involving a poor girl named Pepita. Pepita could not afford a gift for the Christmas Eve service and offered a humble bouquet of weeds. Upon laying the weeds at the altar, they miraculously transformed into the brilliant red Poinsettia, symbolizing a gift given with a pure heart.
The plant’s colors also carry Christian symbolism: the red bracts represent the blood of Christ, and the star-shaped leaf arrangement represents the Star of Bethlehem.
The Poinsettia was introduced to the United States in the 1820s by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico and an amateur botanist. Poinsett sent cuttings back to his greenhouses in South Carolina, leading to the plant being named in his honor and its subsequent popularization as a seasonal decoration globally.
Post-Holiday Care for Extended Longevity
To keep a Poinsettia thriving past the holiday season, it requires consistent attention to its tropical origins.
Light and Temperature
The plant needs bright, indirect sunlight, such as near a south, east, or west-facing window. Direct sun can scorch the leaves, while insufficient light causes the green foliage to yellow and drop. Poinsettias prefer a warm environment, ideally maintaining temperatures between 65 and 75°F, and must be protected from cold drafts and heat vents.
Watering
Watering should only be done when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly until it drains out of the bottom of the pot. Allowing the plant to sit in standing water must be avoided, as this quickly leads to root rot.
Toxicity and Re-blooming
A common concern about the plant is its perceived high toxicity, but this claim is largely exaggerated. While the milky sap can cause mild skin irritation or stomach upset if ingested, the Poinsettia is not deadly to humans or pets. Forcing the plant to re-bloom the following year is possible, but it is a cumbersome process requiring a strict regime of long, uninterrupted dark periods beginning in early autumn.