Have you ever wondered why Poinsettias are used only during the holidays? Where did they even come from?Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are native to Mexico where the Aztecs used it as dye and to control fevers. In this ideal habitat poinsettia will grow to be a 10’ tall flowering shrub! It was brought into the States by the US Ambassador to Mexico John Poinsett in 1828 and is currently the number one selling potted plant in America.
Shockingly, despite 8 decades of popular thought, the poinsettia is NOT poisonous!!
The colorful red, white or pink parts are not actually flowers, they’re bracts-modified leaves! They surround the tiny yellow center which is the actual flower.
The story behind why Poinsettias are used so frequently near Christmas is that when Christ was born, 2 children were walking to Bethlehem to see Him. They had no gifts to bring so gathered up green leafy weeds to have something to offer. They humbly laid them at Jesus’ or Mary’s (there are 2 versions) feet where they sprang into beautiful red flowers- poinsettias.
Jessica Logan, Horticulture Technician - Chattahoochee Technical College
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