Euphorbia pulcherrima (yoo-FOR-bee-ah pul-cher-REE-mah), most commonly known as poinsettia, remains one of the most well-known Christmas ornamentals and holiday plants.
It’s a semi-evergreen shrub that belongs to the genus Euphorbia and is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, also known as the spurge family. They are also sometimes called Euphorbias in common English.
The genus Euphorbia was believed to be after Euphorbus, the King of Mauretania’s physician. The name means “pretty” or “beautiful,” referencing the majestic flowers of poinsettia.
The genus Euphorbia was believed to have originated after Euphorbus, the King of Mauretania’s physician. The name means “pretty” or “beautiful,” referencing the majestic flowers of poinsettia.
The common name poinsettia was named after Joel R. Poinsett, a botanist, physician, and the first U.S. minister to Mexico in the late 1820s. It was in honor of introducing and popularizing the plant into the country in 1828.
This perennial shrub is native to Mexico and Central America and grows abundantly on rocky hillsides and in moist wooded ravines.
Poinsettias are famous for their cluster of tiny yellow flowers above the large, brightly colored floral bracts and deep green foliage.
Poinsettias also go by several common names, including:
- Bird-of-Paradise Flower
- Christmas Flower
- Christmas Star
- Flameleaf Flower
- Fire on the Moutain
- Fire plant
- Lobster Flower
- Mexican Flameleaf
- Mexican Easter Flower
- Painted leaf
- Pride of Barbados
Poinsettias have over 100 different varieties, and some of the most popular colorful ones are the following:
- ‘Ice Punch’ – deep fuchsia floral bracts with a bright white center
- ‘Jingle Bells‘ – red bracts with creamy white spots or markings
- ‘Lemon Drop’ – lemon yellow bracts with darker green margins
- ‘Princettia Pure White’ – pure white floral bracts with green-veins
- ‘Plum Pudding’ – purple floral bracts with dark green foliage
Quick Facts On Euphorbia Pulcherrima
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Light: Indirect light; diffused sunlight
- Temperature: 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Moderate watering (about once a week)
- Fertilizer: All-purpose fertilizer every three to four weeks
- Propagation: Seeds or cuttings
- Common Problems: Poinsettia scab, yellowing leaves, brown spots
Euphorbia Pulcherrima Care
How Big Does Poinsettia Grow?
Poinsettias are quick shrub growers, typically reaching from 3′ to 10′ feet tall (sometimes even up to 15’ feet tall) and 3′ to 7′ feet wide in their native habitat.
However, it rarely reaches 2′ to 3′ feet when grown indoors as a potted plant.
Moreover, Euphorbia pulcherrima reaches its maturity in about 1 to 2 years.
When Does Poinsettia Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Poinsettias are prized for their cluster of tiny cup-shaped yellow flowers, called cyathia. These tiny flowers bloom at the center and are surrounded by large floral bracts.
The large flowers we often mistake as petals are actually not flowers, but floral bracts, which are modified leaves often found beneath a flower or inflorescence.
The brightly-colored floral bracts come in various colors:
- White
- Cream
- Red
- Burgundy
- Pink
- Pellow
- Orange
- Salmon
- Apricot
- Purple
- Bicolored
In addition, some poinsettia varieties have patterns, such as spots, streaks, and speckles.
The foliage features large, ovate, alternate leaves often toothed on the margin.
Euphorbia pulcherrima is known for being a seasonal bloomer, often blooming in winter (late September or early October).
It blooms continuously for 3 to 4 weeks without significant fragrance. After it blooms, the flowers start falling off.
It’s also known for flowering during the Christmas season, which is why it’s called the Christmas flower or Christmas star and why it’s a popular Christmas decor and holiday plant.
Moreover, poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning this shrub needs about 12 to 14 hours of total darkness daily for four weeks to form flower buds.
When exposed to light for more than 12 hours daily, poinsettias will not bloom.
So if you want bright red floral bracts for your poinsettia, keep it away from any light source for about eight weeks.
It needs about 14 to 15 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily to ensure new floral growth and turns the bracts to red.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Poinsettias are tropical flowering plants and thrive in indirect light or diffused sunlight.
They also do well in full sun but prefer partial shade, as they are shade-loving plants and would have burned bracts and leaves when exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
When planted in full sun locations, poinsettias require 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, while needing only 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight in only part of the day in partially shaded locations.
It’s also best to place your poinsettias in a west–facing or south–facing sunny window to receive ample sunlight when grown indoors.
The ideal temperature of euphorbia pulcherrima ranges about 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit during the day and does best at a night temperature of 55° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, poinsettias are not frost-tolerant and grow best in USDA Hardiness zone 9 to 11, so it’s best to keep them away from drafts.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Poinsettias?
Poinsettias need moderate watering needs, sparingly during the growth period but keeping the soil evenly moist.
One way to know when it’s time to water your poinsettia is when its soil surface is dry to the touch.
However, it’s important not to overwater it, as it’s prone to rot, especially when grown in containers or pots.
It’s also important to regularly mist your Euphorbia pulcherrima to increase humidity, which helps maintain the appearance of the brightly-colored bracts.
For fertilizer application, your poinsettia doesn’t require feeding during its flowering season.
You may only start fertilizing poinsettias after the holiday season or Christmas by using all-purpose fertilizer or balanced fertilizer every three to four weeks.
What Is The Best Soil For Euphorbia Pulcherrima, And When Should You Transplant?
Euphorbia Pulcherrima thrives in loamy, well-drained soil with neutral to alkaline pH levels.
When planted in a garden bed, it’s best to grow poinsettias with a good amount of organic matter, such as:
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Compost
Amending the soil with organic matter will help keep the soil’s moisture.
When grown indoors or in pots/containers, it’s best to add the soil with leaf mold or bark for best success.
When you want to transplant your poinsettia, do it in the late spring or early summer.
Does Euphorbia Pulcherrima Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Prune your poinsettia to about 4″ inches in April, but you can also do it again in late summer.
Pruning will promote new growth and produce the desired color.
You can also remove dead or withered foliage to maintain the tree-like shape of the shrub and allow new growth.
However, it’s important to wear gloves when pruning your Euphorbia Pulcherrima, as its stem releases a sticky sap that can irritate the skin.
How To Propagate Poinsettia?
You can propagate poinsettias via two methods:
- Seeds
- Cuttings
However, propagating with stem cuttings is the most used method for poinsettias.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Take a stem cutting about 3″ to 6″ inches from the parent plant in early summer.
- Dip the cut end of the stem cuttings in a rooting hormone compound, tapping the excess powder on a paper towel.
- Insert the cutting into a hole in a potting mix with perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite.
- Place plastic on the container to increase humidity.
- Put the cuttings away from any direct sunlight.
You may start noticing root systems after a month.
Christmas Flower Pests And Diseases
Christmas Flower is susceptible to common pests, such as:
- Mealybugs
- Red spider mites
- Scales
- Whiteflies
If you see any sign of infestation, use insecticide immediately to prevent it from spreading.
Christmas flowers are also prone to problems, including:
- Poinsettia scab
- Yellowing leaves
- Brown spots
- Root and stem rot
Overwatering is the most common reason your poinsettia leaves are turning yellow or withering.
Overwatering can also cause root and stem rot, so it’s important to only water your poinsettia when the soil surface is dry to the touch.
Uses Of Poinsettia
Poinsettias make a beautiful indoor houseplant because of their showy, brightly-colored floral bracts with tiny yellow flowers that add a decorative appeal to the display.
They are also one of the most popular colorful decor, ornamental, and holiday plants in your home during Christmas.
Poinsettias also make an excellent landscaping plant for garden beds, providing a pop of color outdoors.