The winter holiday season is traditionally marked by specific decorative flora. Among the many options, one particular plant dominates the seasonal landscape and is easily recognizable by its vibrant, star-shaped display. This plant is the single best-selling potted plant in the United States and Canada, becoming an international symbol of Christmas. This article identifies this predominant seasonal plant and provides context regarding its structure, history, and care.
Identifying the Predominant Christmas Plant
The universally recognized holiday plant is the Poinsettia, scientifically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. This Latin name translates to “the most beautiful Euphorbia.” The plant’s decorative appeal comes from its colorful, modified leaves, which are correctly called bracts.
These bracts, commonly mistaken for flower petals, surround the plant’s true, inconspicuous flowers. The actual flowers are the small, yellowish-green structures located in the center of the bract cluster, which botanists refer to as cyathia. While the most popular variety displays brilliant red bracts, modern cultivars are available in shades of pink, white, cream, and marbled patterns.
The Festive History and Origin
The Poinsettia is indigenous to the Pacific slope region of Mexico and Central America, where it can grow into a small shrub or tree reaching heights of up to twelve feet. Long before its association with Western Christmas, the plant was cultivated by the Aztecs, who called it cuetlaxochitl. They used the plant to produce a reddish-purple dye and utilized its milky sap, or latex, for medicinal purposes to treat fevers.
The plant’s modern connection to the holiday began in the 17th century when Franciscan friars in Mexico started using the bright red blooms in religious ceremonies. They renamed the plant Flor de Nochebuena, which translates to “Flower of the Holy Night” or “Christmas Eve Flower,” because it naturally blooms during the winter. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico, introduced the Poinsettia to the United States when he sent cuttings back to South Carolina in the 1820s.
Poinsett, an avid botanist, was responsible for the plant’s subsequent popularization in America. A Mexican legend further solidified its holiday association, telling the story of a poor girl whose humble offering of weeds to the Nativity scene miraculously transformed into the brilliant red blooms. Since 2002, December 12th has been recognized as National Poinsettia Day in the U.S. to honor Poinsett and mark the date of his death.
Debunking Common Poinsettia Myths
A persistent myth suggests that the Poinsettia is deadly poisonous to humans and pets. However, extensive scientific research has repeatedly demonstrated that the plant is not highly toxic. Studies, including a review of 22,793 reported exposures by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, found that the vast majority of cases resulted in no symptoms at all.
While ingestion is not recommended and may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea or vomiting, it is not fatal. A child weighing fifty pounds would theoretically need to consume hundreds of bracts to exceed experimental doses that showed no toxicity. The plant’s milky white sap can cause mild skin irritation or a rash in sensitive individuals, particularly those with a latex allergy.
Keeping the Plant Healthy After the Holidays
After the holiday season concludes, the Poinsettia can be kept alive as a houseplant by providing the correct environmental conditions. Place the plant in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight for at least six hours daily. As a tropical plant, it requires stable temperatures, ideally between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Avoid placing the plant near cold drafts from windows or doors, or near heat sources like radiators, as sudden temperature changes will cause the leaves and bracts to drop prematurely. Watering should be done when the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch, keeping the soil moist but never saturated. Always remove any decorative foil or container covers that prevent excess water from draining, as standing water quickly leads to root rot.