More than 2 million of them will be sold this year, making it the largest potted flower crop grown in the US.. Learn a few facts about this traditional Christmas plant. Lastly, there were uses for the poinsettia long before it was a symbol for Christmas. Christmas can be the most exciting time of the year, but finding the perfect gift is a … It made sense mainly due to the color. April: Starting April 1, gradually decrease water, allowing the soil to get dry between waterings. Reply. 2015-12-23 00:41:08 2015-12-23 00:41:08. Why Poinsettia is a Christmas Flower You can find a poinsettia's scarlet, star-shaped leaves everywhe­re you turn during the holidays. An official holiday was even created in honor of the wildly popular plant: National Poinsettia Day, which is celebrated on December 12. The common name “poinsettia” was first used in the early 1800s, with the name derived from that of Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and the first US Minister to Mexico. The poinsettia (or Mexican Flame Tree or Christmas Star, as it is also known) is synonymous with the festive season but keeping the plant alive long enough to see Christmas Day can be a challenge. This is a sign the plant is too stressed and is dying. With the introduction of long-lasting cultivars, the popularity of the poinsettia has increased significantly. For this reason, in Spanish speaking countries, Poinsettia is known as “Flores de Noche Buena” or Flowers of the holy night. Top Answer. Legend of the Poinsettia I am glad you asked! If it’ll die in cooler weather, why do we associate it with Christmas? It cannot be exposed to any kind of light such street lights, car headlights, TV’s, computer screens or even light under the door. The answer is in its history. Poinsettias are two-month wonders. As soon as you’ve made the decision to rescue your leftover poinsettia, relocate it to a well-lit spot inside your home. Red bracts are most common, but there are cultivars that are pink, salmon orange, yellow, cream, white, mottled, all with bright green leaves in … Legend of the Poinsettia – Below is a legend of how we get the Poinsettia, why we have it around Christmas, why it is a winter plant and what it has to do with Christmas and why churches use them during Christmas. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. If you look after your poinsettia properly, you should be able to keep it growing until next Christmas. Christianity started in the Middle East … Mel December 23, 2019. Plus it tells you other names used as well for this special Holy Flower. Why the jolly festive plant could cause your hair to FALL OUT if you come into contact with its sap. I've seen poinsettias on Christmas wreaths, staircase rails, and as tabletop decor, and always thought they were an impeccable focal point or piece for the holiday season. 1 2 3. Legend goes that Poinsettia started to be associated with Christmas when a small girl grabbed some blooms from the roadside to honour the baby Jesus in a festive procession. During cold weather, keep it in a cool room with indirect sunlight. What Does Poinsettia Mean? Poinsettias and Christmas I've never questioned why the famous red flowers were associated with Christmas time. The Popularity of Poinsettia. The plant is native to central America, particularly a southern region of Mexico, where they call it ‘Taxco del Alarcon’. As time passed, the poinsettia—which was officially named after its American founder—caught on and became a staple of Christmas celebrations in homes all over the country. The poinsettia is also said to be a symbol of good cheer, success, and bring with them wishes of happiness and celebrations. Poinsettias are one of the most popular Christmas decorations around, with more than $200 million in sales every holiday season. Within a six-week period leading up to Christmas, there are over 70 million poinsettias sold and nearly $250 million in poinsettia sales accounted for. Why are poinsettias associated with Christmas? The Christmas Poinsettia flowers have become a symbol of Christmas and are used as festive decor. Today, the Christmas Poinsettia is known as such because it can be found naturally blooming/growing only for a short period of time around Christmas in Mexico. Poinsettia & Christmas Symbolism. 1 houseplant? The Poinsettia also gains its popularity with the legend of Pepita, a young girl with a gift for the Christ Child. The whole village took part in … Christmas is here, and we often see poinsettias decorating businesses and homes. No flower says Christmas like the beautiful poinsettia. Strangely enough, it had much of the same symbolism before there was a Christmas to celebrate in Latin America. Why the Poinsettia at Christmas? Why is poinsettia a Christmas evergreen? How to Make a Poinsettia Bloom at Christmas. Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. A charming story is told of P epita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. Poinsettias are associated with Christmas because of the legend of Pepita, a poor Mexican child. Being of a very poor family, she could not buy a gift. So what does a poinsettia have to do with Christmas? B efore there were sunflower Christmas trees, people put poinsettias on their Christmas trees. But, how did the Poinsettia become USA’s no. Beware the poinsettia! Wiki User Answered . I haven’t heard of it. These finicky short-day plants require specific growing needs in order to retain their Christmas blooms. Asked by Wiki User. A Mexican legend tells of a girl who could only offer weeds as a gift to Jesus on Christmas … Referred to the ‘ol’ faithful Christmas movie about poinsettia farm on TV, watch it every year but now I can relate to what I am trying to do. Settings with bright, filtered sunlight, like an east or west-facing window or … Poinsettia, or “Christmas star”, invades garden stores like gremlins when the end-of-year feasts come nigh. Thus, the “Christmas Poinsettia “was born; production and distribution has consistently grown since it … The first American ambassador to Mexico in 1825 was named Joel Roberts Poinsett – hence the name “poinsettia”. They are sometimes referred to as the Christmas Star due to the shape of their leaves, fanning out into a stunning cosmic inspired shape. However, do you know why? The poinsettia's flowers are actually the small yellow buds in its centre! While Ambassador Poinsett was living in Mexico, he attended a Christmas Mass at a tiny church filled with the beautiful red plants. If you’ve taken care to keep your poinsettia in a nice, warm sunny window (free of drafts) thus far, you’re halfway there. ... ECKE: Before, there was no Christmas flower. On Christmas Eve, a little Indian girl (some legends declare a Mexican boy) wanted to bring a gift to present to baby Jesus lying in the creche at her church. Today, Poinsettia is the most popular Christmas plant and is grown globally for Christmas celebrations. During warm weather, you can keep your poinsettia outdoors in the shade, but you’ll need to bring it inside for the fall and winter. Poinsettias as Christmas Gifts. There are so many ways you can get creative with Poinsettia … Poinsettias grow wild in rainy, tropical regions of Central America, and Joel Poinsett, America's first ambassador to Mexico, brought the plant to our country in 1828. In amongst all the jingling bells and the gold and red glitter, you’ll find a living, thriving Christmas plant—the poinsettia. It was soon used more widely and later known as La Flor de La Nochebuena or Flower of the Holy Night. By the beginning of the Civil War, the poinsettia came to bear his name and represent true giving at Christmas. Poinsettia leaves are so cheery, beautiful and versatile for adding a festive and elegant finish to all your Christmas decorations. Why poinsettias for Christmas? Symbolically the star shape of the flowers is also considered to be similar to the star that led the wise men to Jesus, which is why many people make it part of their Christmas … And he decided that, why not a poinsettia because it bloomed naturally at that time. It owes this to its colored bracts that surround the flowers. A Mexican legend explains how Poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. January to March: Keep watering the poinsettia whenever the surface is dry. The poinsettia has a deep cultural and symbolic meaning. Why the poinsettia is a Christmas flower. Here’s what you need to know. Aside from the Christmas tree itself, no plant symbolizes Christmas quite like the poinsettia. Apparently, a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. Plus free printable version! Poinsettias are one of the most popular plants to gift to loved ones come Christmas time. Now, this attractive plant is not actually a flower; the rich red leaves are the source of the color, not a blossom. Poinsettia Facts 10 Interesting Facts about Poinsettias. One interpretation of the plant is as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, the heavenly body that led the three magi, or wise men, to the place where Christ was born. However, with proper care, your holiday poinsettia should continue to put out blooms, or in the least remain attractive for weeks after. Be careful that the stem does not begin to shrivel. A popular legend surrounding the poinsettia dates back to 16th century Mexico. Move over poinsettia and make way for Christmas cactus. Not that there is anything wrong with poinsettias, but they are slowly joining cassette tapes and Chevy sedans in the “been there, done that” category. After Christmas poinsettia care begins with suitable growing conditions. They put on … Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care. Your poinsettia will only display colored bracts if it experiences complete darkness for at least 12 hours per night for 10 weeks. The legend regarding Euphorbia pulcherrima begins long ago with a peasant girl in Mexico, faced with a problem on Holy Night: she lacked the means to contribute a gift in the Christ Child ceremony at the church, as all the other children would be doing. In a small Mexican village on Christmas Eve, people were preparing for the feast in honor of the birth of the baby Christ. Christmas legend of poinsettia. There are many legends about why poinsettia is called the Christmas Star and they are all beautiful - this is just one of them. Christmas Poinsettia Legend . Poinsettia - yes, it's really pronounced that way. Hi Alice- I am going to have to check out that movie. Place your poinsettia where it can get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. One story about poinsettias and Christmas involves the red poinsettia instead of the white, brings together the association of poinsettias and Christmas. Answer. December 18, 2013 Linda Comments 0 Comment. Article by Jay Fillimore Poinsettia, the Christmas plant, is popular in many American, Australian and UK homes. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow—solids, streaked, marbled, and multicolored. Try adding Poinsettia leaves to a garland, as centrepieces, within your Christmas wreath and on your Christmas tree. It won’t be long until Christmas day is here. It should receive at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Today, the poinsettia is the most popular plant sold during the holidays and the best-selling potted plant in the United States. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family.