Poinsettias: A star for holiday decorating
This holiday basket features a poinsettia and other plants. [Photo courtesy teleflora.com]
Bright red and green poinsettias are a popular way to decorate your home during the holiday season. Poinsettias are the most popular flowering plants during November and December. The poinsettia is December’s birth flower and Poinsettia Day in the United States is Dec. 12. Poinsettias have an interesting history and are known by many names, such as Christmas star, Mexican flame leaf, winter rose, Noche Buena and Atakurk’s flower.
Meaning and history of poinsettias
The poinsettia is associated with a Mexican legend. The story goes that a child, with no means for a grander gift, gathered humble weeds from the side of the road to place at the church altar on Christmas Eve. As the congregation witnessed a Christmas miracle, the weeds turned into brilliant red and green flowers.
The poinsettia was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first United States ambassador to Mexico. He was the amateur botanist who introduced the plant to the U.S. in 1825. Poinsettias were the favorite flower of Atakurk, the founder of modern Turkey. The ancient Aztecs considered poinsettias to be symbols of purity. In today’s language of flowers, the poinsettia symbolizes good cheer and success and will bring wishes of mirth and celebration.
How to care for a poinsettia
Poinsettias should be watered regularly. Be careful not to overwater them, just wait until the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. If your poinsettia is potted in a planter with a drainage hole, it is important to empty the tray beneath it once the plant has drained. It is not good for the plant to sit in stagnant water. If you’re displaying the plant in the foil-wrapped pot it came in, simply poke a few holes in the bottom and place the pot in a tray so it can drain. Don’t fertilize the plant while there are still flowers blooming. If you plan to keep the plant in hopes of it blossoming again next year, you can fertilize it once all of the petals have dropped.
Large red poinsettia with ribbon. [Photo courtesy teleflora.com]
Decorating with poinsettias
There are many ways to display your poinsettia in interesting ways to enhance the beauty of the plant. Here are some ideas:
White poinsettia with ribbon. [Photo courtesy teleflora.com]
• Combine your poinsettia in a basket with other plants. A poinsettia joined with other plants can make an interesting basket. Adding a bow makes it extra special.
• Spray glitter on the leaves to dress up your poinsettia. Glitter is a beautiful way to dress up your poinsettias. A light spray of gold or red glitter on red poinsettia leaves can elevate them. Don’t go overboard with glitter but do add some to leaves and bracts. The “flowers” are colored “leaves” called bracts.
• Wrap the poinsettia pots with metallic foil, ribbon and a bow. Look for metallic, shiny foil in bright red, green, gold, silver and white. After covering the pot, wrap them in seasonal colored ribbon, such as plaid or red velvet and top it off by adding a lush bow. Experiment with curly ribbon for a firework burst of color that you can drape over the pot’s rim. For a fancy look, spray a few ribbon curls lightly with glitter.
• Decorate the pot with a beaded garland. Instead of wrapping the pot with foil, you can decorate it with a garland. Choose a tinsel garland or use a beaded, jeweled or permanent flower garland. Spray adhesive to the outside of the regular poinsettia container and then wrap strings of the garland around the pot.
Poinsettias are lovely and speak of holidays all on their own or dressed up. Use your imagination to decorate your plants to fit in with your Christmas décor or to give as a gift.
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Article reference: teleflora.com/meaning-of-flowers/poinsettia?promotion=NATURALFALL10
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