Guest Author - Wendy Lee

Having been a florist for many years, every Christmas there was always at least one phone call about poisonous-ness of Poinsettias. Every one has heard about Poinsettias and to never let children or pets eat them because they are poisonous. Truth is that this is a long held wives tale. One would need to eat more than 500 leaves before the low amount of toxicity would harm them. Granted, they may cause an upset stomach or vomiting in cats and smaller children, but the foul bitter taste of them would stop even the most curious of children.

According to the American Society of Florists, this myth started with the wrongful reporting of a child who died because they ate a single Poinsettia leaf back in 1919.

Another strike against the Poinsettia is that is a member of the Euphorbia family which indeed does have several poisonous members such as Pencil Cactus, Crown of Thorns, Milkweed and other species of Spurge.

That being said, Poinsettias are still one of the more beautiful holiday plants, despite the current fashion of spray painting them blue and purple with glitter. Originating from Mexico, they were first in the US due to the US Ambassador Joel Robert Poinsett. In 1829 he sent some from Mexico to his home in South Carolina; hence the name Poinsettia.

The colorful part of the plant are actually bracts that have changed color in order to direct pollinators towards the actual flowers which are the round, yellow/orange, bud looking structures in the center. Over the decades, they have been bred for color much like many other plants and animals. So now there are varieties known as “Jingle Bells” which is white with red flecks, or mottled white and pink as well as solid colors ranging from pure white and cream to salmon and mauve.

Poinsettias prefer warm dry air with indirect light. Think of it as if you are comfortable then your poinsettia is too. Do avoid drafts or direct heat however.

Water it when the soil feels dry and do NOT fertilize it while it is in bloom. As with all plants do not allow them to sit in water and provide adequate drainage.

When your poinsettia has finished blooming (usually in March or April in the Northern Hemisphere) it is not the time to throw it away, instead prune it back until it is around 8” in height. Water and fertilize with a basic fertilizer regularly. In early summer you should be rewarded with new verdant growth. This is the time to place it outside so it can enjoy the summer air. Be sure to avoid late frosts or nights below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize every other week or less. Midsummer is the time to prune back your poinsettia to keep it compact and robust. Do not prune it too much later then September, as this is when budding begins. Being a photoperiodic plant, they require 14 or more hours of darkness to promote blooming after October first. This can be accomplished in a dark room, closet or putting a box over the plant. Continue this regime and your poinsettia should bloom in November or December; as it is tough to produce an exacting Christmas time display without the controlled conditions of a greenhouse.