Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
With their vibrant red color, poinsettias are the most popular plant to use for decorating during the holidays. Although we associate poinsettias with Christmastime, they are actually tropical plants, native to south Mexico and Central America. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico. He brought cuttings of poinsettias to the United States in the late 1820s. Poinsettias were introduced to the American public in 1829 at the first flower show of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society.
When caring for your own poinsettia, be sure to remember its tropical origins. Poinsettias cannot handle the cold and will become damaged if exposed to temperatures below 50°. Keep them in a warm, sunny area, away from drafts but out of direct sunlight. The colorful red (or white, pink, or marbled) parts of the plant are modified leaves called bracts, and the actual flowers are the small yellow clusters in the center, called cyathium.
Only water your poinsettia when the soil is dry. Make sure it is well-drained after watering, because it could develop root rot if it sits in water. They often come wrapped in shiny, decorative foil, but water can pool in the bottom, so be sure to pour out any water that has accumulated. Better yet, give your plants an elevated look by pulling off the foil and placing them in a nice ceramic pot. Just be sure the new pot has drainage holes.
Though most of us treat our poinsettias as a disposable decoration, you can keep them year-round. The leaves (bracts) will turn green, but you can grow them as a houseplant during the year. In the summer months, they can take a field trip outdoors. Just keep them out of harsh, direct sunlight and never expose them to cold temperatures. In order to “rebloom” the next year, your poinsettia will need a period of darkness. Beginning at the end of September, the plants must have a total blackout period of 12 hours each night for 10-12 weeks. You can achieve this by placing a box over the entire plant, being careful that the box is not touching the leaves. During the day, remove the box and place the plant back in its sunny location. By late November, you should see new flower buds form, and the bracts should be returning to their festive colors.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
