The Colorful Past of Poinsettias - by Larry Hurley

For many people, Christmas decorating is not complete without a beautiful poinsettia from Behnke Nurseries. In the nearly 40 years that Behnke Nurseries has grown poinsettias, we have grown and sold over a million plants.

Our poinsettias are grown at our Lothian, Maryland production greenhouses, but, where did wild poinsettias come from in the first place? (”Wild poinsettias” seems like an oxymoron…) To trace the origin of poinsettias we have to look to our southern neighbors, home of so many economically important plants.

The poinsettia is native to tropical Mexico and Central America, where it grows straight and tall to ten feet. Poinsettias were grown by the Aztecs, who used them medicinally to reduce fever and to make a dye from the red flower bracts. The flowers were also used to symbolize purity. Following the invasion by the Spanish Conquistadors and the establishment of Catholicism as the state religion, many Indian traditions and ceremonies became intermingled with the “new ways.”

During the 17th century, the Franciscans established a mission near Taxco. Because of its color and holiday blooming time, the poinsettia was used for the Fiesta de Santa Pesebre, a nativity procession.Following Mexico’s war of independence from Spain, the United States sent Joel Roberts Poinsett to Mexico as our first ambassador.

In 1828 Poinsett sent some poinsettias to his home in Greenville, SC, where he had greenhouses. He had the plants propagated and distributed to friends. Poinsett, much more popular here than he was in Mexico, is honored with the celebration of National Poinsettia Day on December 12, the day of his death.

Read the full article on Behnkes Blog