12/10/2024
You get one every year but how much do you actually know about your Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)?
Poinsettias are bold tropical flowering shrubs native to Mexico and Central America and were traditionally used by the Aztecs in traditional medicine and to produce a red dye. The tradition of giving poinsettias at Christmas began in 16th century Mexico. Along with the obvious red and green color scheme, the blood-red color is said to symbolize the blood sacrifice of Jesus, and the star shape of the leaves represents the Star of Bethlehem.
FUN FACT: The showy, colorful part of the poinsettia isn’t a flower – it’s a modified leaf. The poinsettia’s modified leaves (called bracts) are often mistaken for the flower. Actually, the small yellow flowers (called cyathium) can be found clustered in the center of the bracts.
Caring for your Poinsettia
Poinsettia flowers like to be kept in average temperature range between 13° and 25° so try to keep them away from drafty windows or doors.
Water when the top 50% of soil is dry. Water slowly until you see water begin to trickle out of the pot’s drainage hole, and let excess water fully drain out.
Poinsettias enjoy humidity between 50% – 75% ambient humidity and will appreciate misting or being near a humidifier.
Encouraging Regrowth and Rebloom.
With some TLC you can encourage these plants to rebloom every year. It helps to keep them somewhere in your home with bright light that will stay within their ideal temperature and humidity range.
To encourage your plant to take on a full, bushy shape, prune the stems back in spring and allow the plant to produce new growth.
To rebloom, ensure the plant receives complete darkness for 14 hours a day for a span of 8 weeks, beginning in mid to late September. This signals the plant to begin producing flower buds in time for the holiday season.
