Similar to a Christmas tree and mistletoe, poinsettias have become synonymous with the holiday season. In the case of Christmas trees and mistletoe, both plants have been cut and are no longer growing and thriving. While, poinsettias are potted plants when purchased and you can determine how long they live for. You can keep them through the holiday season or maintain them until the next holiday season. Although we are used to seeing them in every store during the holiday season, there are a lot of interesting poinsettia facts related to their history that have not been widely publicized. After all, this is a market that was initiated and popularized by one single-family operation.
Where Did Poinsettias Originate?
Poinsettias were originally brought to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1800s. The Ecke family started growing poinsettias in the early 1900s and in the 1960s and 1970s, they transformed the business and helped popularize the poinsettia as a holiday flower by donating them to TV shows, such as the Tonight Show, and national magazines. By seeing the poinsettia in the backdrop on TV and in magazines during the holiday season, the public began to associate the flower with the holidays.
Up until 1992, the Ecke family dominated the market and supplied up to 90% of the poinsettia mother plants to other nurseries. This all changed in 1992 when a researcher published the secret as to how the Ecke family produced their poinsettia, which was done by grafting two types of poinsettias together and taking cuttings from that. This poinsettia was leading the industry, as it was hardy and could withstand poor shipping conditions, and other companies could not compete with that until the secret was revealed. This led to companies producing the same type of poinsettia and selling them at a lower cost, creating much more competition in the marketplace for the Ecke family.
Poinsettia Varieties
The red “leafed” poinsettia is the traditional poinsettia in which we were all originally introduced. There are now multiple different varieties, with different colored “leaves” (which are really bracts), such as the white and red and white varieties.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
No, poinsettias are not poisonous. That is a long told tale that is not true. It is still suggested that poinsettias are kept away from cats, dogs, and small children, but in order for any harm to be caused, a 50 pound child would need to consume at least 500 poinsettia leaves. They do, however, produce a milky sap (primarily composed of latex), and this can cause reactions for people or pets who are allergic or sensitive to latex.
How to Care for Poinsettias to Make Them Last Longer
One cool thing that many people do not know is that poinsettias can last year-round! So, if you are into taking care of plants, I challenge you to see if you can keep the poinsettia you purchased this year alive and well so that it will be ready to go for the next holiday season! For some tips and tricks, see this guide from Michigan State University.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- How to Protect Plants from Frost
- How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
- Asexual Propagation: Cuttings, Grafting & Micropropagation
Resources:
“Frequently Asked Questions.” University of Illinois. Retrieved 19 Dec 2016.
Seltzer, Erica D., and Spinner, MaryAnne. (2016). “Poinsettia Facts.” University of Illinois. Retrieved 19 Dec 2016.
Whitlock, Jared. “New exhibit spotlights Ecke family history.” Del Mar Times 10 Dec 2015. Web. 19 Dec 2016.