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First, you may be wondering: Where did the poinsettia originate from? The poinsettia flower is native to Central America – specifically, an area in southern Mexico called “Taxco del Alarcon” – and the plants were used by the ancient Aztecs to make a purple dye for clothing and cosmetics.
Where do poinsettias grow in the wild?
Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They are found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala. They are also found in the interior of Mexico in the hot, seasonally dry forests of Gurerro and Oxaca.
What is the story behind the poinsettia?
A Mexican legend tells of a girl who could only offer weeds as a gift to Jesus on Christmas Eve. When she brought the weeds into a church, they blossomed into the beautiful red plants we know as poinsettias, known as Flores de Noche Buena in Mexico (Spanish for “flowers of the holy night”).
How long does a poinsettia last?
If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for 2 to 3 months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
How did poinsettias become associated with Christmas?
The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn’t have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. From that day on, they became known as “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”.
Where do poinsettias grow best?
Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location protected from north winds and frost. The south side of a house or wall is usually a good spot. Make sure the location receives no artificial light at night from flood lights, street lights or porch lights, as this can prevent poinsettias from blooming properly.
Is a poinsettia a cactus?
Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Poinsettia Clade: Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia.
What is the white stuff that comes out of a poinsettia?
As a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) poinsettias have a milky sap. This latex helps conserve moisture within the plant and deters animals and insects from eating the plant, since the latex is bitter and toxic if eaten in large doses. If your potted poinsettia bleeds white sap, it has sustained an injury.
What does Cuetlaxochitl mean?
The Aztechs called this plant “Cuetlaxochitl”, meaning “Flower that withers, mortal flower that perishes like all that is pure”. The Cuetlaxochitl was grown as a gift from the gods and Montezuma, the last king of the Aztechs, used it to decorate his palaces.
What year was the first poinsettia brought to the United States?
Poinsettias were first introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett. While serving as the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, he had occasion to visit Taxco and found the plants growing on adjacent hillsides.
Can I plant a poinsettia outside?
Poinsettias aren’t popular only at Christmas time. With the right care, these traditional holiday plants can shed their shiny foil and bows to become long-lasting houseplants. You can also grow them outdoors in your garden if you live in a frost-free area.
What do you do with poinsettias after Christmas?
Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hours of indirect, but bright, sunlight each day. In mid-April pinch back the stems to 6-8 inches and place the plants in a sunny location. When new growth begins, you may use a liquid fertilizer to ensure the plants get enough minerals, especially calcium.
Do poinsettias rebloom?
Teaches Gardening. Poinsettias are a popular holiday plant. With proper care, the festive plants can rebloom the following year.
What happens if you touch a poinsettia?
In most cases, exposure to any parts of the poinsettia plant in children or pets has very little if any effect. If swallowed, it may cause mild irritation: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Touching it may cause a rash. But you still should prevent your child or pet from swallowing it by storing it out of their reach.
Was the poinsettia stolen from Mexico?
The plant is known as Cuetlaxochitl (ket-la-sho-she) and was another stolen item from Mexican history and had its history white-washed in a gross way, which is evident in who the plant was renamed after in America, the horrendous Indian-hater Joel Roberts Poinsett, the former US ambassador to Mexico who was kicked out,.
What kind of tree do Kenyans often use as a Christmas tree?
As for the Christmas tree? Instead of the traditional fir or pine tree, you’ll see beautifully decorated Cypress trees in Kenya. You might even spot Santa roaming around the stores in the big cities like Nairobi – but he usually swaps his warm winter suit for something cooler in the hot Kenyan sun!Dec 1, 2020.
Can I put a potted poinsettia outside?
You can keep growing them like a houseplant if you like, but in the spring once the temperatures at night are regularly above 50°F, you can place your poinsettias outside if you want. If you have any pots outdoors, make sure you bring them inside at the end of the summer before overnight temperatures fall below 60°F.
Is poinsettia indoor or outdoor?
Poinsettias are hardy in zones 9 through 11. They can be grown as long-lasting houseplants, and you can transplant them into the garden in frost-free areas like ours. If you’re keeping your potted Poinsettia plants indoors, keep them in sunny rooms that have a south, east, or west exposure.
Can I plant poinsettias outside in Florida?
Once the holidays are over, you can move the poinsettias outside. The chance of frost is pretty low in South Florida, but it can happen! So wait until any risk of freezing temperatures has passed before you transplant your poinsettia to its new home outside.
