Why Are Poinsettias The Official Christmas Flower?
The bright red and green poinsettia Christmas “flowers” are actually leaves. The flowers of the plant are the tiny berry-like structures at the end of the bracts.
Here, we explore the legend and history of why the poinsettia became the go-to Christmas flower.
Here, we explore the legend and history of why the poinsettia became the go-to Christmas flower.
How Poinsettias Came to Be The Official Christmas Flower
1. The Origins of The Poinsettia
2. The Adoption of The Poinsettia Name
3. The International Rise of The Poinsettia
4. Poinsettias in the UK at Christmas
5. Caring for Poinsettias
6. Beautiful Floral Displays with Poinsettias
7. Learn to Decorate Like a Pro!
1. Cuetlaxochitl and Pepita – the Origins of the Poinsettia
The plant we know as poinsettia has its origins in 14th Century Mexico, where it was known as “Cuetlaxochitl.”
It was used to create textile and clothing dyes, and its sap was also thought to reduce a fever.
The Aztecs prized the plant and the last Aztec emperor, Montezuma, was captivated by it.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that the plant first became associated with Christmas. This was when Franciscan monks in the town of Taxco de Alarcon first used the shrub in Nativity processions.
It was also at around this point in history that the legend of Pepita and the “Flowers of the Holy Night” began.
It was used to create textile and clothing dyes, and its sap was also thought to reduce a fever.
The Aztecs prized the plant and the last Aztec emperor, Montezuma, was captivated by it.
It wasn’t until the 17th century that the plant first became associated with Christmas. This was when Franciscan monks in the town of Taxco de Alarcon first used the shrub in Nativity processions.
It was also at around this point in history that the legend of Pepita and the “Flowers of the Holy Night” began.
According to this legend, Pepita left her village to visit the Nativity scene at the chapel.
She couldn’t afford a gift for baby Jesus, so she picked some weeds and took them.
When she presented the bouquet of weeds to Jesus, they turned into stunning red flowers which locals knew as “Cuetlaxochitl.”
The blooms were referred to as the “Flowers of the Holy Night.”
This was how the plant we know as poinsettia became associated with Christmas.
But Mexican folklore doesn’t fully explain why the poinsettia is such a feature of Christmas.
To discover the rest of the story, we turn to the 19th century United States and a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett.
She couldn’t afford a gift for baby Jesus, so she picked some weeds and took them.
When she presented the bouquet of weeds to Jesus, they turned into stunning red flowers which locals knew as “Cuetlaxochitl.”
The blooms were referred to as the “Flowers of the Holy Night.”
This was how the plant we know as poinsettia became associated with Christmas.
But Mexican folklore doesn’t fully explain why the poinsettia is such a feature of Christmas.
To discover the rest of the story, we turn to the 19th century United States and a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett.
2. Joel Roberts Poinsett and The Adoption of The Poinsettia Name
Nearly two-hundred years after the poinsettia’s association with Christmas began in Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett took its festive story to the United States.
He was also a passionate botanist.
Late in 1828, Poinsett was on a diplomatic trip to Mexico when he came across the plant known locally as “Cuetlaxochitl.”
He was captivated by the red leaves and began shipping the unfamiliar blooms back to his home in South Carolina where he had a greenhouse.
Poinsett began cultivating the plants and gave them to colleagues and friends around Christmas time.
News of this beautiful shrub spread to Pennsylvania where nurseryman Robert Buist began to cultivate it.
Late in 1828, Poinsett was on a diplomatic trip to Mexico when he came across the plant known locally as “Cuetlaxochitl.”
He was captivated by the red leaves and began shipping the unfamiliar blooms back to his home in South Carolina where he had a greenhouse.
Poinsett began cultivating the plants and gave them to colleagues and friends around Christmas time.
News of this beautiful shrub spread to Pennsylvania where nurseryman Robert Buist began to cultivate it.
Buist was the first person to sell the plant using its botanical name “Euphorbia Pulcherrima.”
It wasn’t until 1836 that the brilliant red and green blooms became formerly known as “Poinsettia.”
The plant was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the man who brought it to the United States.
It wasn’t until 1836 that the brilliant red and green blooms became formerly known as “Poinsettia.”
The plant was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the man who brought it to the United States.
3. Paul Ecke Sr. and The International Rise of The Poinsettia
The popularity of the recently renamed poinsettia grew substantially in the early 20th century.
It was at this time that Paul Ecke Snr. entered the story…
It was at this time that Paul Ecke Snr. entered the story…
He was the first person to develop plants that could be grown in pots indoors.
In 1923, he founded the Ecke Ranch which now provides around 80% of the poinsettia plants that are bought and sold in the United States.
This is the path that the poinsettia has taken to become the most popular plant sold during the holidays in the United States.
In the six weeks leading up to Christmas around 70 million poinsettias are sold in the country.
And, since 2002, December 12 has been known as National Poinsettia Day.
In 1923, he founded the Ecke Ranch which now provides around 80% of the poinsettia plants that are bought and sold in the United States.
This is the path that the poinsettia has taken to become the most popular plant sold during the holidays in the United States.
In the six weeks leading up to Christmas around 70 million poinsettias are sold in the country.
And, since 2002, December 12 has been known as National Poinsettia Day.
4. Poinsettias in The UK at Christmas
It’s not only in the United States that poinsettias brighten homes at Christmas time.
The red and green shrubs are also a familiar sight in the United Kingdom (UK).
The red and green shrubs are also a familiar sight in the United Kingdom (UK).
During the 1960s, nurserymen like Joseph Spray saw the plants in American literature and began bringing them over from the United States.
The widespread popularity of poinsettia plants in the UK did not really take hold until the 1980s.
Today, their popularity is stronger than ever, especially around Christmas.
During the festive season, you can see them lined up along the shelves of nurseries and supermarkets.
The widespread popularity of poinsettia plants in the UK did not really take hold until the 1980s.
Today, their popularity is stronger than ever, especially around Christmas.
During the festive season, you can see them lined up along the shelves of nurseries and supermarkets.
5. Tips for Choosing & Caring for Poinsettias
The main attraction of this plant is its vibrant colours — usually red and green, but also available in white, pink, variegated, and burgundy.
Here are our tips to help you choose the right plant and keep it healthy.
Never buy a poinsettia that’s close to open or automatic doors as it will have been exposed to damaging UK winds.
Check the soil before you buy a poinsettia if you can and make sure it’s damp rather than very wet or dry.
Wrap your poinsettia when you buy it so that it’s protected during the journey home and not exposed to draughts and temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius.
Don’t overwater your poinsettia as the roots can quickly become waterlogged.
Check the leaves of the plant regularly — if they are yellowing or falling off this means you are watering too much and/or too often.
Make sure that the temperature around your poinsettia is around 15 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Keep your plant out of draughts.
If you buy the right poinsettia, and care for it well, you’ll have a wonderful display of colourful leaves for Christmas.
There’s also an array of other beautiful blooms that add a festive touch to your home.
Never buy a poinsettia that’s close to open or automatic doors as it will have been exposed to damaging UK winds.
Check the soil before you buy a poinsettia if you can and make sure it’s damp rather than very wet or dry.
Wrap your poinsettia when you buy it so that it’s protected during the journey home and not exposed to draughts and temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius.
Don’t overwater your poinsettia as the roots can quickly become waterlogged.
Check the leaves of the plant regularly — if they are yellowing or falling off this means you are watering too much and/or too often.
Make sure that the temperature around your poinsettia is around 15 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Keep your plant out of draughts.
If you buy the right poinsettia, and care for it well, you’ll have a wonderful display of colourful leaves for Christmas.
There’s also an array of other beautiful blooms that add a festive touch to your home.
6. Beautiful Winter Floral Displays with Poinsettias & Other Blooms
If your poinsettia is starting to die off, you can rescue the bracts that are still looking good and create a colourful floral arrangement.
Trim the stems just below the leaves and dip the ends in boiling water for a few seconds.
Doing this gets rid of the sap.
Then, place the stems in cold water.
With enough water and attention, your arrangement should last for as long as two weeks.
There are several other blooms that can brighten your Christmas.
One of our favourites is the anemone.
Trim the stems just below the leaves and dip the ends in boiling water for a few seconds.
Doing this gets rid of the sap.
Then, place the stems in cold water.
With enough water and attention, your arrangement should last for as long as two weeks.
There are several other blooms that can brighten your Christmas.
One of our favourites is the anemone.
These striking flowers are in season from October to May.
They come in a variety of colours such as white, red, pink, and purple.
Personally, we love the snow-like quality of the white anemone for the holiday season.
Other blooms you can use to decorate your home at Christmas are:
Calla lilies – elegant and graceful blooms that are also known as Arum lilies.
Roses – a traditional choice throughout the year that can add a touch of romance to your festive decor.
Berries and evergreens – elements such as pine cones and holly sprigs can bring a Christmas vibe to your home.
Winter clematis – glorious for its appearance and scent, this plant has bell shaped flowers that look amazing in the garden or as cut blooms.
Pansies – perfect for adding a pop of colour to your seasonal celebrations.
Snowdrops – the pure white beauty of snowdrops makes them a natural choice for the winter months.
There’s certainly no shortage of choice when it comes to winter flowers for decorating your home at Christmas.
Our post on flowers for winter weddings offers further inspiration on what’s in season around Christmas time: “Winter Weddings: What Flowers Are In Season?“
They come in a variety of colours such as white, red, pink, and purple.
Personally, we love the snow-like quality of the white anemone for the holiday season.
Other blooms you can use to decorate your home at Christmas are:
Calla lilies – elegant and graceful blooms that are also known as Arum lilies.
Roses – a traditional choice throughout the year that can add a touch of romance to your festive decor.
Berries and evergreens – elements such as pine cones and holly sprigs can bring a Christmas vibe to your home.
Winter clematis – glorious for its appearance and scent, this plant has bell shaped flowers that look amazing in the garden or as cut blooms.
Pansies – perfect for adding a pop of colour to your seasonal celebrations.
Snowdrops – the pure white beauty of snowdrops makes them a natural choice for the winter months.
There’s certainly no shortage of choice when it comes to winter flowers for decorating your home at Christmas.
Our post on flowers for winter weddings offers further inspiration on what’s in season around Christmas time: “Winter Weddings: What Flowers Are In Season?“
7. Learn to Decorate Like a Pro!
At Blooming Haus our corporate and event festive transformations are already underway!
We’re hosting a seasonal Christmas masterclass with festive wreath-making, sharing our pro tips on how to tablescape and decorate like a complete pro.
LEARN MORE
Spaces are filling up fast.
To keep up with our festive arrangements for luxury businesses in and around London don’t forget to follow us on Instagram
You can also take a look at our online shop for further inspiration.
For help with floral design at Christmas and throughout the year contact us at:
Corporate & Events: business@bloominghaus.com
Weddings & General Queries: contact@bloominghaus.com
Or call us on 020 3389 9609
We’d love to hear your Christmas flower stories and comments. Which blooms are your favourites? Pop a note in the comments below.
Other Related Journal Entries You May Find Useful
1. Your Guide to Biophilic Design
2. The British Royal Families Favourite Blooms
3. Best Royal Garden to Visit in The UK
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