In the United States, poinsettias are widely associated with Christmas. That’s because Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, introduced them to the United States in 1825. Poinsett, a doctor by training and profession, his other great passion was botany. He was fortunate in being able to pursue that interest in his greenhouses on the grounds of his Greenville, South Carolina plantation.

Poinsett’s Introduction to the Plant That Bears His Name

Poinsett discovered the plant in the Taxco region of Mexico. He liked the plants so much that he sent the plants back to his South Carolina plantation with the intention of finding a way to propagate them.

Thankfully for us, his efforts were successful and he subsequently shared the plants with botanical gardens and with his friends.

About Poinsettia Plants

People associate poinsettia plants with Christmas. These delightful exotic plants belong to the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. The botanical name for the plant that we call the poinsettia is Euphorbia pulcherrima. December 12 is Poinsettia Day. It marks the 1851 anniversary of the death of Joel Robert Poinsett, the man for whom the plant was named.

The part of the plant that people think of the colorful flower isn’t the flower. The bright red or white part of the plant is called the bract. It is a modified leaf form. The flower is a yellowish part where the pollen is surrounded by the bracts.

Caring for Poinsettias

Because we live in a location where the climate is warm enough for these plants to live outside, they’d be ideal plants to use in decorating your outdoor living spaces. Poinsettias need to be placed in a sunny place. If you intend to grow them indoors, find a window with as much sunlight as possible. Place plants outside at night because the cool nighttime temperatures will encourage extended blooming.

Using Poinsettias in Decorating, or Giving Them as Gifts

Poinsettias are often used during the holidays to brighten professional offices and other businesses. The fact that they require so little maintenance makes them a great gift for everyone. Send someone holiday greetings, or display them in your workplace to extend season’s greetings to your customers or clients by showcasing our Merry Poinsettia Double Basket.

Our delightful Red Poinsettia Plant is an ideal gift to take to a host or hostess when you attend a holiday party.

Port Charlotte Florist is your go-to place for poinsettia plants and other holiday plant gifts.