Where do poinsettias arrogantly come from?
Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to southern Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations.
Where are poinsettias originally from?
- Poinsettias aren’t always red! ...
- Poinsettias are native to Mexico.
- In their native environment, poinsettias grow like a shrub and can reach heights of up to 15ft tall.
- Congress passed a bill in 2002 making December 12, National Poinsettia Day (which is also the anniversary of Joel Roberts Poinsett’s death).
How to care for poinsettias year-round?
How to Care for Poinsettias Year-Round
- Choosing a Spot for Your Poinsettia. Poinsettia origins provide great clues about where poinsettias grow best. These tropical "Christmas flowers" are native to Mexico and Guatemala. ...
- Watering Your Poinsettia. Proper watering is essential for year-round poinsettia health and beautiful holiday color. Poinsettias do best when their potting mix stays evenly moist.
- Fertilizing Your Poinsettia. Proper feeding helps your poinsettia look great year-round. Peak poinsettia color coincides with a resting period when fertilizer needs are low.
- Pruning Your Poinsettia. In their natural environment, wild poinsettias are large, lanky shrubs, not the compact beauties plant nurseries grow.
- Repotting Your Poinsettia. Pruning time is a perfect time to transplant your poinsettia into a new container. Choose a pot with good drainage one size larger than your current pot.
- Getting Your Poinsettia to Change Color. For most of the year, poinsettias stay green. Then longer autumn nights trigger flowering and color changes.
Can I get my poinsettia to bloom again?
Yes, you can grow your poinsettia like other houseplants. Provide full, diffused sun, water lightly, and prune (with gloves on) if the plant becomes leggy. If you want your poinsettia to bloom (change color) again, follow the instructions above.
Where is the poinsettia native?
Mexicopoinsettia, (Euphorbia pulcherrima), well-known member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), commonly sold as an ornamental at Christmastime. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. It was named for Joel R.
Where do the plant poinsettias come from?
Native to Mexico, poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family and are a popular holiday plant because of their colorful bracts (leaves). There is also a species that is used as a cut flower. They are most commonly used for decorating during the winter holidays, but are also attractive as green plants throughout the year.
What is the story of the poinsettia?
A Mexican legend tells of a girl who could only offer weeds as a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve. When she brought the weeds into a church, they blossomed into the beautiful red plants we know as poinsettias, known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico (Spanish for "flowers of the holy night").
Where did the poinsettia first grow?
southern MexicoPoinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as 'Taxco del Alarcon' where they flower during the winter. The ancient Aztecs called them 'cuetlaxochitl'.
How long does a poinsettia live for?
two to three monthsHow Long Do Poinsettias Last? If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for two to three months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
Why are poinsettias only for Christmas?
The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn't have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin tried to comfort her and said that Jesus would love any present from her, even the smallest one.
Why do churches decorate with poinsettias?
The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves resemble the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red-colored leaves represent the blood of Christ shed for the world.
What is special about poinsettias?
Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea....PoinsettiaSpecies:E. pulcherrimaBinomial nameEuphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch10 more rows
What is the official Christmas flower?
This Is Why Poinsettias Are the Official Christmas Flower There's no denying that poinsettias make bright, festive decorations during winter months. But they're native to Central America, particularly southern Mexico, and they're actually colorful leaves, not flowers.
Who brought the poinsettia plant to America?
Joel Roberts PoinsettIt remained in relative obscurity for almost two hundred years before a man by the name of Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced it to the United States. This introduction forever changed the way we decorate for the holidays. Joel Roberts Poinsett was a man of many talents.
What animals are allergic to poinsettia?
During the holidays, poinsettias are a popular Christmas plant. Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents.
Do poinsettias come back every year?
Some gardeners are not satisfied with this long season of indoor beauty and attempt to save the plants to re-bloom the following winter. Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care.
Do poinsettias grow from seeds or bulbs?
Poinsettia seeds do not need any special treatment to germinate. Nor do they need light. Sow your seeds, one per small pot, just below the soil surface in evenly moist potting soil. Keep in a warm area of subdued light (no direct sunlight!) and make sure the surface of the soil does not get too dry.
Where is the best place to put a poinsettia plant?
Keep poinsettias near the sunniest window in your house so they get adequate light. Poinsettias like plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so don't place them directly in the sun, next to a heater or near a drafty window.
Where do poinsettias grow best?
Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location protected from north winds and frost. The south side of a house or wall is usually a good spot. Make sure the location receives no artificial light at night from flood lights, street lights or porch lights, as this can prevent poinsettias from blooming properly.