Everything You Need to Know About Poinsettias...& Then Some!

I thought I'd share some general information about Poinsettias as well as some lesser known fun facts.
All of the poinsettia plants sold at White Iris Designs are grown at a local greenhouse approximately 3 miles from my flower shop. It is a family owned & operated greenhouse called Galema's Greenhouses.

When you purchase a poinsettia plant from us we love to send it out nicely decorated for the Holidays. Some of the touches we add are: baskets, beautiful ribbons, curly glittered ting ting, pine cones, candy canes, fresh pine, cedar & holly. You will also find our poinsettias wearing a shimmery coating of beautiful glitter for that sparkling festive touch! (The plants we send for sympathy do not have glitter unless otherwise specified by our customer)


General Care of your poinsettia.

1. To prolong the life of your poinsettia plant you should avoid placing it near hot or cold drafts.
2. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. When soil becomes dry give it some water. Do not let the leaves wilt or it could be to late.
3. Place it in a room with sufficient natural lighting.
4. Keep in a room with temperatures at about 60 to 70 degrees.
5. When you purchase your poinsettia, before you take it out to your car make sure it is wrapped well to protect it from wind & cold. Even a brief exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees can be detrimental to the plant.





Some Poinsettia Fun Facts

1. Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico. They were introduced to the United States by Dr. Joel Robert Poinsett, an amateur botanist from Greenville, SC. He was the first US Ambassador to Mexico & he discovered the brilliantly red leaf colored shrub in Taxco, Mexico growing by the side of the road in Dec. of 1828.
In the wild the Poinsettia plant can reach heights of 12' & the leaves can measure 6 to 8" across.
2. The poinsettia plant is NOT poisonous! The plant has been extensively tested & although it is NOT meant to be ingested, it is not toxic. But could cause stomach discomfort. The white milky sap that is found when the leaves or stems are broken, may cause skin irritation to humans.
3. National Poinsettia Day is December 12th. Although not a widely recognized, it is in Dr. Poinsett's honor & the poinsettia plant that he introduced to us that it is observed on this date, the day that he died.
4. During the 14th through the 16th centuries, the Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing. The white milky sap was used to help control fevers.
5. The Aztecs also considered the red color a symbol of purity, so they were used in religious ceremonies.
6. Most people think that the colored leaves of the poinsettia are the bloom, when in fact it is the tiny yellow buds in the center that are actually the bloom.
7. 80% of those who purchase a poinsettia plant are 40 & older. Of those purchased, 80% are purchased by women.
8. Poinsettias are also known as "Mexican Flame Leaf" & " Christmas Star"
9. 90% of all poinsettias are exported from the United States. & 90% all get their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch in the US.
10. There are over 100 varieties available, with new colors, heights, & varieties being grown every year. They are now being dyed in many colors to match decor such as: purple, royal blue, gold, copper, etc.
11. Over 60 million plants are sold each year. They account for 1/3 of the sales of flowering potted plants. With most of them being sold in only a 6 week period.



Please feel free to add any other facts, fun or otherwise in the comment box!
Enjoy your poinsettia!