Say it with Poinsettias this Holiday Season

Poinsettias are popular plants for celebrating Christmas and the holiday season. They are available in almost any store – even in drugstores. Originally in red, Poinsettias now come in almost any color; red and white are the most common but you’ll often see them in orange, pink, marbled or speckled and even blue or burgundy.

This perennial plant has timed its blooming season for Thanksgiving through December showcasing their gorgeous red color that they retain for at least several months.

Each year I end up selecting the red poinsettia – though the whites and hot pinks are very tempting. For me the red color is a shoo-in for the holidays and if you are looking for symbolism – the poinsettia is considered a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem because of its pointed shape and blood red color resembling the blood of Jesus Christ.

My research has shown that the Aztecs were the first to cultivate the poinsettia plant. In Peru and Chili, the flower is known as the “Crown of the Andes.” In Mexico it is known as the “Flor de Noche Buena” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.” 

But if your color scheme is not red, you have many colors to choose from, such as creamy white, bright pink and even orange. As tempting as it is, you may want to stay away from the Blues or Purples as these are not natural colors for poinsettias – most likely they are spray painted and even sprinkled with glitter.

Right now, the selection of poinsettias is at their peak – I usually buy mine around the end of the first week of December and I can usually keep them blooming till the New Year. But even with my green thumb, I have never had any luck getting them to rebloom the next year.

Caution for Pet Owners: I have two cats and a dog though they’ve never nibbled on my poinsettias, it is important to note that Poinsettias are mildly toxic to pets. The sap can be a mild irritant when ingested.

Merry Christmas!