Almost 25 years ago, I fell in love. I was working at a nursery
after schools and on weekends, when dozens and dozens of fiery red
poinsettias came off a truck. Is there any sight more breathtaking
than bench after display bench full of poinsettias? I think
not.
Almost 25 years ago, I fell in love. I was working at a nursery after schools and on weekends, when dozens and dozens of fiery red poinsettias came off a truck. Is there any sight more breathtaking than bench after display bench full of poinsettias? I think not.
Of course, today poinsettias don’t just come in red. They sport many colors, not only various shades of red, but pink, white, yellow and marbled/speckled colors. There are even rose-shaped poinsettias. They come in tree forms, besides bush types.
Poinsettias, the traditional holiday flowers, are the No. 1 flowering potted plant in the United States. And that’s saying a lot, considering that chrysanthemums, Easter lilies and others are quite popular.
When shopping for poinsettias, look for plants with green foliage all the way down to the soil line. This is a good indication that the plant has active, healthy roots. It almost goes without saying that you should look for plants that are balanced, full and attractive from all angles. Don’t make the common mistake of selecting plants that are too tall or “leggy.” In general, the best height for a good quality 6-inch-pot poinsettia will be about 15 to 19 inches.
When buying poinsettias, be wary of plants that are displayed in plastic, paper or mesh sleeves. This brings me to my pet peeve. Large box stores almost always display their poinsettias with the sleeves attached. But what’s the first thing you need to do when trying to pick out a poinsettia? You guessed it: take the plant out of the sleeve. In other words, don’t be shy about pushing the bottom of the potted poinsettia out of the sleeve in order to see what the plant looks like! I guess these big box scores simply do not have enough bench space to display all the poinsettias they sell. These sleeves are used for shipping and should be removed immediately upon arrival at the store.
The poinsettia, native to tropical America, was named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, the U.S. Secretary of War from South Carolina from 1837-1841. Reasonable prices and long-lasting color are two of the biggest reasons that Poinsett’s namesake is so popular today.
Small pots of poinsettias can be purchased for as little as $2, although the most popular 6-inch-pot size usually run $5-$8. This time of year, poinsettias can be found practically everywhere – from grocery stores to big box stores. As for staying power, poinsettias will bloom for two to three months if you’re lucky.
Poinsettias do best in bright light. Dark corners will drastically shorten their lives. Temperatures around 68 degrees are optimum for the longevity of the plant. Be aware that poinsettias are not outdoor plants, and will not make it through a cold, frosty night.
And yes, you can get poinsettias to bloom again. This is a common question among home gardeners. However, this involves putting the plant in a dark closet in the fall for many hours a day to trigger to trigger flowering. Realistically, poinsettias are a bargain to buy anew each holiday season.
