Where is the poinsettia originally from?

Where is the poinsettia originally from?

Southern Mexico
The poinsettia is native to Southern Mexico and has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. In 1828, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Doctor Joel Poinsett, sent a clipping of the plant back to home in South Carolina. Dr. Poinsett shared the plant with other people and it was eventually called the Poinsettia.

Which city is the poinsettia Capital of the World?

Thanks to Ecke’s vision, the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas–a.k.a. the poinsettia capital of the world–has long been the leader in developing poinsettias into the No. 1 potted flowering plant in America. The poinsettia is also the only holiday plant with a day named in its honor: Dec.

Who brought the first poinsettia to America?

Joel Roberts Poinsett
Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United States from Mexico. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.

How long does a poinsettia live?

“Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they’re really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years.”

Is a poinsettia poisonous?

Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash.

What should I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?

Poinsettia After Christmas — Now What?

1. Cut it back to 4 to 6 inches tall and move it to a slightly larger pot with good drainage.
2. Keep the soil moist, but never soggy.
3. Provide bright light.
4. Feed weekly with liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength.

When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.

How much poinsettia will kill a dog?

But, researchers found even experimental doses of 500 to 600 leaves were not deadly when ingested. The Pet Poison Helpline explained poinsettias are mildly toxic to cats and dogs, but there is no antidote for poinsettia poisoning. Watch for drooling, licking lips, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation and eye irritation.

Where did the Poinsettia flower get its name?

Peru and Chile called the poinsettia the “Crown of the Andes”. The botanical name of poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means “the most beautiful Euphorbia”. The plants are native to Central America and southern Mexico. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family.

Where do poinsettias grow naturally?

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. It was named for Joel R. Poinsett, who popularized the plant and introduced it to floriculture while he was U.S. minister to Mexico in the late 1820s.

Why is the Poinsettia used as a Christmas decoration?

Poinsettia, is known for its striking red displays at Christmas time. It is often used as a floral Christmas decoration because of its festive colors. Today, in the language of flowers, this December birth flower symbolizes success and good cheer and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.

Why are poinsettias important to the Aztecs?

Poinsettias were prized by the ancient Aztecs (the Mexican Indians) as a symbol of purity. Centuries later, the early Christian of Mexico adopted the plant as their prized Christmas Eve flower. The Mexican poinsettias are usually bright red.