Poinsettia

The History of the Poinsettia

The poinsettia is native to Central America, particularly an area of southern Mexico known as ‘Taxco del Alarcon,’ where they flower during the winter season.

The ancient Aztecs called these blooms ‘cuetlaxochitl’ and used their petals to make a purple dye for clothes and cosmetics, and the milky sap was made into medicine to treat fevers.

So how did the poinsettia gain so much popularity?

Well, the poinsettia became widely known around the world because of a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett.

Poinsett was the first Ambassador from the United States to travel to Mexico in 1825. An owner of many greenhouses located on his plantations in South Carolina, while visiting the Taco area in 1828 he became incredibly intrigued by these blooms. He wasted no time in sending some of the plants back to South Carolina, where he began growing them himself and sending them to various friends and established botanical gardens.

One of these friends was John Bartram of Philadelphia. At the first ever flower show in Philadelphia, Robert Buist, a plants-man from Pennsylvania, saw the poinsettia for the first time and is believed to be the first to actually sell them under their botanical name, ‘Euphorbia pulcherrima,’ meaning ‘the most beautiful Euphorbia.’

Poinsettias were first sold as cut flowers, and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that they were sold as whole plants for both landscaping and pot plants. [1]

As one of the most popular holiday plants, it would come as no surprise that we want to grow our own!

When to Plant Poinsettias

Poinsettias should be transported outdoors once all of their leaves have died back, and you’ve pruned the bushes back to about two buds. Once all chance of frost has passed, it is safe to bring your plant outdoors for planting.

How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Poinsettias

Be sure to choose and areas with slightly acidic, well-draining soil to avoid root rot. Your poinsettia will do best in a sunny corner protected from harsh winds that can easily damage the plant. [2]

How to Plant Poinsettias

Once you’ve decided on a planting location and outdoor temperatures have consistently remained above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to plant!

Dig a hole that is larger than the pot containing your poinsettia, place the plant in the hole, and cover the plant with soil, making sure the soil around the plant is even with the top of the hole. [3]

How to Water Poinsettias

Your poinsettia will not require too much care during the warmer months, but be sure to water it regularly until the plant begins to drop its leaves. Once this occurs, you will be able to allow the plant to dry out a bit in between waterings.

How to Feed Poinsettias

When you start seeing new growth on your poinsettia, water with fertilizer during your normal waterings.

Alright, and now onto how you should care for your poinsettias plant indoors:

Step 1.

Keep your poinsettia in a warm sunny window. Your plant should receive at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day.

For continual blooms after the holiday season, your poinsettia will also need temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (can be slightly cooler at night, but keep it above 60 degrees) to avoid any leaf drop.

Step 2:

Continue your regular watering routine until spring or the first of April, then allow your plant to dry gradually. Around the middle of April or beginning of May, cut the stems back to about 4 inches above the soil and repot it in a larger container with fresh potting mix. Remove any faded parts of the plant at any time!

Step 3:

Water your plant thoroughly and put it back in a sunny window. Check the soil periodically to make sure the plant has enough moisture—water only when the soil’s surface is dry to the touch.

Step 4:

Once new growth begins, feed your poinsettia every couple of weeks with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. [2]