why are poinsettias associated with christmas

Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus's crucifixion.

1. Who started the American tradition of poinsettia at Christmas?
2. What is the meaning of poinsettias at Christmas?
3. What is the symbolism of the poinsettia?
4. What is the legend of the poinsettia and Christmas in Mexico?
5. What do I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?
6. What does a white poinsettia mean?
7. Can a poinsettia live all year?
8. Do poinsettias like sun or shade?
9. How long does a poinsettia live?
10. Are poinsettias good luck?
11. Where Are poinsettias originally from?
12. How do you keep poinsettias alive all year?
13. What flower represents Christmas?
14. What country started the tradition of Christmas trees?
15. Are poinsettias only for Christmas?
16. When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?
17. Why are all the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
18. Do I water a poinsettia from the top or bottom?
19. What is another name for poinsettia?
20. Do white poinsettias turn red?

Who started the American tradition of poinsettia at Christmas?

Poinsettias get their American name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who brought them to the states from Mexico in the early 1800s. They didn't become traditional holiday decorations until the entrepreneurial Ecke family started promoting them a century later.

What is the meaning of poinsettias at Christmas?

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity. The Poinsettia is also the national emblem of Madagascar.

What is the symbolism of the poinsettia?

While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity, in today's language of flowers, red, white or pink poinsettias, the December birth flower, symbolize good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.

What is the legend of the poinsettia and Christmas in Mexico?

Poinsettias' association with Christmas began in 16^th century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or Maria, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday, was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them at the church altar.

What do I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?

Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March. The poinsettia may also be repotted at this time.

What does a white poinsettia mean?

What Do White Poinsettias Mean? White poinsettias were once considered to be symbols of purity by the Aztecs, but now it's now the flower for December birthdays. The poinsettia is also said to be a symbol of good cheer, success, and bring with them wishes of happiness and celebrations.

Can a poinsettia live all year?

Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care. ... The bracts (colorful leaves just below the true flowers) will be the last to go.

Do poinsettias like sun or shade?

Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.

How long does a poinsettia live?

"Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they're really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years."

Are poinsettias good luck?

While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity, in today's language of flowers, red or pink poinsettias, the December birth flower, symbolize good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration. Brightly colored and mostly red and pink, Poinsettia are popular potted plants.

Where Are poinsettias originally from?

Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They are found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala. They are also found in the interior of Mexico in the hot, seasonally dry forests of Gurerro and Oxaca.

How do you keep poinsettias alive all year?

Move to a colder place where the temperature never goes over 60 degrees and out of sunlight. Keep it indoors if you live in dry and hot areas of the country. Sometime in May, repot the poinsettia in a bigger container. Cut all the stems down to about four inches.

What flower represents Christmas?

Holly is closely associated with Christmas and is typically used in the creation of Christmas wreaths and festive garlands. The idea of decorating your home with holly for Christmas dates back to ancient Druids.

What country started the tradition of Christmas trees?

Other decorations were added—Martin Luther reportedly first hung lighted candles on a tree in the 16th century—and paradise trees evolved into Christmas trees. By the 19th century, Christmas trees were a firmly established tradition in Germany.

Are poinsettias only for Christmas?

Other fowering plants have become part of the festive scene, but poinsettias alone remain unchallenged as the traditional flower of Christmas. Throughout America, millions of poinsettias will be displayed in homes, offices and public places.

When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.

Why are all the leaves falling off my poinsettia?

Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.

Do I water a poinsettia from the top or bottom?

When you water your poinsettia, try not to get much water on the leaves, try to get the water straight to the roots and soil. I like to water mine in the sink, so I can pour plenty of water to it and it can drain out the bottom.

What is another name for poinsettia?

What other names is Poinsettia known by? Christmas Flower, Easter Flower, Étoile de Noël, Euphorbia poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Fleur Pentecôte, Flor de Pascua, Lobster Flower Plant, Lobsterplant, Mexican Flame Leaf, Noche Buena, Paintedleaf, Papagallo, Pastora, Poinsettia pulcherrima.

Do white poinsettias turn red?

Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. It is actually the plant's leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the leaves from green to red (or pink, white, and other shade variations).