It is actually a small tropical tree ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) belonging to the Euphorbia plant family. Fact 6. A native of southern Mexico , the poinsettia blooms in December and has been used in that country to decorate churches for centuries.
Do poinsettias grow into trees in Mexico?
Like many of America's Thanksgiving staples, the poinsettia is an immigrant from Mexico, where it's called the flor de noche buena, the Christmas Eve flower. ... In the wild, poinsettias can grow into a tall and rangy tree , up to eight feet tall, with blazing red leaves.
Where Are poinsettias naturally?
Native to Mexico , poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family and are a popular holiday plant because of their colorful bracts (leaves).
How big do poinsettias grow in Mexico?
In their natural habitat, they can grow up to 15 feet (4.5 m) tall . Poinsettia plants produce a milky white sap called latex. In the past, this sap has been used in Mexico as a treatment for fevers. These plants have dark green leaves with dimensions between 2.8 and 6.3 inches (7-16 cm) in length.
What is the connection between poinsettias and Mexico?
Poinsettias get their American name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who brought them to the states from Mexico in the early 1800s. They didn't become traditional holiday decorations until the entrepreneurial Ecke family started promoting them a century later.
What is the life expectancy of a poinsettia plant?
“Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years . If they're really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years.”
Do poinsettias like sun or shade?
Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight each day . Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.
Can poinsettias be grown anywhere in the world?
In nature, Poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that were once considered weeds. In subtropical and tropical regions, they can be grown outside year-round .
Can potted poinsettias be outside?
Poinsettias can not live outside where the temperatures drop below 45 degrees and they can not tolerate frost . Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) originate in Mexico and thrive in the heat. They can grow up to 8-10 feet tall but without regular pruning they will become leggy and week.
Do poinsettias live year round?
Poinsettias can be kept year after year , and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care. ... The bracts (colorful leaves just below the true flowers) will be the last to go.
What does poinsettia have to do with Christmas?
Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus's crucifixion .
Are poinsettias only for Christmas?
Nevertheless, the flamboyant blooms of this once humble native Mexican plant convey their holiday message clearly and beautifully as they have for generations. Other fowering plants have become part of the festive scene, but poinsettias alone remain unchallenged as the traditional flower of Christmas .
What flower represents Christmas?
Holly is closely associated with Christmas and is typically used in the creation of Christmas wreaths and festive garlands. The idea of decorating your home with holly for Christmas dates back to ancient Druids.
Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms . They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.
How do you care for a potted poinsettia indoors?
Environment. To maintain your poinsettia bloom, keep temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to protect them from dramatic temperature drops as this will cause their leaves to prematurely wilt. For best results, keep your poinsettia in a warm room and mist it daily .
How do you get a poinsettia to turn red again?
To make them turn red, you need to restrain exposure to light . As early as September, place it in a room that is exclusively lit up by natural light, and check that it stays in complete darkness for 14 hours on a 24 hour day. Do this for eight weeks!
