All About Poinsettias

November 19, 2012


All About Poinsettias
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    Come late fall, many retail stores begin selling poinsettias, those cheerful red flowers that signal the holidays are coming. The poinsettia is a remarkable plant that we might know a lot about, but here are some surprising facts, plus care tips for the popular winter flower.

By Heather Mann

Poinsettia Facts

  • The red flowers of poinsettias are actually colored leaves called bracts.
  • Poinsettias can grow to be 10’ tall.
  • The Aztecs planted poinsettias and made purple dye from the plant.

Tip: To the ancient Aztecs, poinsettias symbolized purity, but today they are symbolic of good cheer and success. Get more flower meanings in our Language of Flowers article.

  • Eighty-five percent of potted plants sold during the holiday season are poinsettias.
  • There is a commercial poinsettia farm in every one of the 50 United States.
  • Almost $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold each year during the holidays.
  • Women purchase eighty percent of poinsettias. And eighty percent of poinsettias are purchased by people who are 40 or over.

Quick Tip

Febreze® Help create a festive mood and eliminate odors around your home at the same time with Febreze® Air Effects®. To surround yourself with the spirit of the season, try scents like Winter Magic & Glow, Sugar & Spice and Cozy Vanilla.

Poinsettia Care Tips

  • Choose plants with very little yellow pollen in the center of the bracts. Plants that have lost their pollen will drop their red leaves soon.
  • Do not let the plant stand in water, including water that collects in the foil wrapping. Cut a wide hole in the foil or take it off when watering.
  • Water poinsettias only when the topsoil is dry.
  • Keep it in bright morning light. Indirect light is ideal.
  • Poinsettias don't do well in extreme temperatures. Store your plant in a 60-70°F room, away from cold windows, drafts or heaters.

Tip: Poinsettias are commonly displayed in the pot they’re purchased in, but there are more stylish ways to present them. Decorate a flowerpot, or use some of our seasonal flower display ideas to create polished poinsettia décor in your home.

Preservation Tip

Keep the poinsettia indoors until outdoor temperatures reach a consistent 55°F and the threat of frost has passed. Place the plant outdoors in a sunny location that gets afternoon shade, and pinch back the top 1” of new shoots until early August. Bring plant inside once temperatures cool again. On October 1, place poinsettia in a dark room (or garage) for 14 hours a day to simulate a winter night and force the bracts to bloom in time for the holidays.

Tip: Preserve your other seasonal blooms with our wax-dipping or flower-drying technique.

Heather Mann is chief editor of Dollar Store Crafts, and specializes in transforming inexpensive materials into stylish and simple craft projects. She has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and been featured in Reader’s Digest and the New York Times, and her work has appeared on the cover of Family Fun Magazine.

Quick Tip

Dawn Help keep plant containers sparkling and garden tools in tip-top shape by regularly hand washing them with Dawn® Ultra dishwashing liquid with active suds. It cleans 2X more greasy dishes*, and helps keep suds stronger for longer.
*per drop vs. the leading non-concentrated brand.

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