U. S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, introduced poinsettias to America around 1825. Mr. Poinsett was an avid gardener and botanist and founded the National Institute for Promotion of Science and Useful Arts, now known as the Smithsonian.
YEAR ROUND CARE
The poinsettia, also called the Christmas Flower and the Nativity Flower, can be kept indoors year round with the proper care. Poinsettia is a short day plant, and this is why it sets its beautiful leaf color during the short days of winter. After the holidays and when the days begin to lengthen, you must take the initiative to limit the plant’s daylight hours. At night, cover the plant and make sure it is somewhere it will get no light such as a closet.
Poinsettias also do not like air movement so while it is out during the day, make sure it is not near a window where a breeze may reach it. Poinsettias do like a sunny spot in which to sit.
Watering will depend on the humidity of your home. In the south, for instance, it may not be necessary to water the plant more than every couple of weeks. In the arid west, however, water your plant weekly or when the soil feels very dry. Never let your poinsettias sit in water. Bottom line, when the soil feels dry, water sparingly.
OUTDOOR CARE
Because the poinsettia is considered a tropical plant, planting outside is limited to southern Florida. You can, however, plant your potted poinsettia outside in northern regions once all danger of frost is past and outside air temperatures will be very warm, usually by June. When warm, put your potted plant outside in a shady area to get the plant used to outdoor temperatures. After a few days in the shade, it should be safe to actually plant now in a sunny location. If you are in the north, re-pot your plant on September 1 and bring back indoors.
WARNING?
We’ve all heard the warnings about poinsettias. Surprisingly, according to Iowa State University Extension Service, even though the poinsettia has been accused of being poisonous, “laboratory studies have shown that the leaves, stems, bracts, and flowers are not toxic to people or pets.” However, according to Dr. Melissa Conrad Stoppler on the MedicineNet.com website, though the poinsettia leaf is not poisonous, ingesting the leaves may cause nausea and vomiting. Because the leaves have such an unpleasant taste, the chance of a child or animal eating that leaf is small.
References:
100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names; Diana Wells; Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; 1997
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PublicationsRG316.pdf;
“Poinsettia Care”
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR/-0894/ANR-0894.pdf;
“Consumer Poinsettia Care
Iris Gallagher - Writing has been a passion for as long as I can remember. I still have poetry I wrote as an eight year old. I was born in Tennessee, grew ...
