Poinsettias: A Festive Favourite with a Fascinating Story

Written by thebarnadmin

Few plants signal the arrival of Christmas quite like the poinsettia. Their bold red, cream or pink bracts instantly bring warmth and colour to homes during the festive season. However, behind their vibrant appearance lies and interesting history. Read on to find out more along with some care tips to keep them looking their best right through the festive season.

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is native to Mexico, where it grows as a tall shrub and flowers naturally in winter. Long before it became a Christmas favourite in Europe and the UK, it was cherished by the Aztecs, who used the red bracts to make dye and the milky sap for medicinal purposes.

The plants journey to becoming a global festive icon began in in the 1820’s when Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico, and keen botanist, fell in love with its vibrant winter colour. He sent cuttings back home and the plant quickly became popular. By the early 1900’s, poinsettias were widely linked to Christmas thanks to their seasonal colour and star-shaped bracts said to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem.

Today poinsettias are one of the world’s best selling festive houseplants available in a wide range of colours and sizes.

How to care for your poinsettia

Despite their reputation for being a little fussy, poinsettias are actually quite easy to care for with the right conditions. Here’s how to help them thrive:

Keep them warm
Poinsettias dislike drastic temperature changes. Keep them in a warm room ideally between 15 – 20°C and away from draughts, open windows or doorways. Even a short blast of cold air can cause leaves to drop. We will pop your poinsettia in a protective sleeve as you leave the Garden Centre for home.
Choose the right spot
Bright, indirect light is perfect. Avoid placing them in direct sun or too close to radiators as this can scorch the leaves or dry the plant out too quickly.
Water carefully
The number one rule: DO NOT OVERWATER
Water only when the top of the compost feels dry.
Let excess water drain away. Never leave the pot sitting in water.
Humidity helps
Homes can be dry in winter especially with heating on. Light misting or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles and water (without letting the pot sit directly in the water) can help maintain humidity.
After Christmas
If you want to keep your poinsettia beyond the festive season, simply treat it like any other houseplant. Keep it warm, water when dry and feed lightly through spring and summer. the the right conditions, you might even get it to colour up again next Christmas.

With a rich history and stunning seasonal colour, poinsettias remain one of he most beloved Christmas plants. A little care goes a long way and in return, they bring weeks of warmth and cheer to the home.

Check out the red, white, pink and variegated poinsettias we have in stock now at The Barn Garden Centre. Don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff if you have any further questions.