The Poinsettia – Fun Facts and How To Care for the Poinsettia

Nothing represents the holiday season quite like the beautiful Poinsettia! With its rich, velvety bracts and vibrant green leaves, the Poinsettia a bright reminder that winter has arrived. Here are a few fun facts and tips about the cheery flower…..

FUN FACTS

• The Poinsettia originated in Mexico, where it grows as a ten foot tall shrub. It was cultivated by the Aztecs, who made a reddish-purple dye out of the bracts and
  a medicine for fever.
• The Poinsettia is named after Joel Roberts Poinsettia, first United States Ambassador to Mexico.
• The annual sales of Poinsettias exceed the annual sales of all other potted plants combined.

HOW TO CHOOSE & HOW TO CARE FOR THE POINSETTIA

• Choose a plant which has green foliage near the soil line.
• Look for plants with large bracts that extend over the lower green foliage.
• Select only plants with small tight green button-like flower parts in the center of the bracts. These little buttons will eventually develop into open flowers.
• Poinsettias like room temperatures of between 68 – 70° F; position it carefully, away from droughts and heat sources.
• It’s important that you don’t over water your plant or allow it to sit in standing water. Allow it to dry out slightly between watering.
• Mist your plant frequently during the blooming season to keep it happy.

Article written by Danielle Nicholson, owner of Kentuckiana Chic.