By Dawn Smith-Pfeifer
When my son was a boy scout, he would sell wreaths and poinsettias for Christmas. One of his wreaths adorned our front door every year. And one year I decided to buy a poinsettia too. It had the white leaves and I loved it. And even more amazing, I kept it alive for several years! I'm not really sure how. Because I've never kept one alive more than through the holidays since. At some point, I gave up on poinsettias. History was not going to repeat itself, apparently.
Native to Mexico, the poinsettia was introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, in the early 19th century. Fascinated by the colorful bracts, Poinsett sent the plant back to his home in South Carolina, where it soon gained popularity and became known as the poinsettia in his honor.
The plant's vibrant red, white, and pink bracts are often mistaken for flowers, but they are actually modified leaves. The true flowers, small and yellow, are nestled within the colorful bracts like the photo above. According to legend, the poinsettia's association with Christmas stems from a Mexican story of a poor child who, lacking a traditional gift for the Nativity scene, presented weeds that miraculously transformed into beautiful red blooms.
Caring for poinsettias is relatively straightforward, but it requires attention to detail. Here are some essential tips to ensure your poinsettias stay healthy and vibrant:
-
Light: Poinsettias thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can lead to leaf burn.
-
Temperature: Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius). Keep them away from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
-
Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and be sure not to let the plant sit in standing water. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
-
Humidity: Poinsettias benefit from moderate humidity. If the air in your home is dry, consider placing a tray of water near the plants or using a humidifier.
-
Pruning: To encourage bushiness, pinch back the tips of the plant in late spring or early summer. This will result in a fuller, more compact poinsettia.
Or, if you are of the Dawn school of plant-care, mostly neglect it and hope for the best!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Dawn is the editor for On Your Table and once in a while finds a plant that enjoys her gardening style, but not very often.