Poinsettias – the most beautiful Euphorbia
Christmas trees and evergreen wreaths are sentimental favorites for the holiday season. However, not all plants tied to the holidays are conifers. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima), a sub-tropical plant native to Mexico and Guatemala, are also considered a mainstay symbol of the holidays. The ‘flowers’ of Poinsettia plants are actually their petal-like leaves known as “bracts”. Poinsettia do have flowers, but these green and yellow flowers are small and resemble the stamens that are in the center of most flowers.
Today, Poinsettias are sold in many sizes, shapes and forms with many new cultivars being introduced. And although red continues to be the most popular Poinsettia color during the holidays, color choices range from white and cream to pink with green variegation. And now there’s a beautiful double-red form called ‘Winter Rose’ (see below).
Caring for your Poinsettias: Keep your Poinsettias in a warm, well-lit room away from drafts and water regularly so the soil is kept moist. After the color has faded, prune back to promote fresh, new growth.