Every holiday season, garden centres fill with brilliant red, pink, white, and marbled poinsettias, but this iconic plant has a much deeper story than most people realize.
Its history spans ancient civilizations, cultural traditions, diplomacy, marketing, and modern horticulture.
Here’s the full backstory of the plant that became the symbol of Christmas.
Where Poinsettias Come From
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow as large shrubs or small trees, often reaching up to 10 feet tall in the wild.
Far from being a delicate holiday decoration, they’re actually tough, sun-loving plants adapted to warm, dry climates.
Before they were ever linked to Christmas, poinsettias were known as Cuetlaxochitl (kwet-la-sho-she-tl) by the Aztecs.
They used the plant for:
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Red dye extracted from the bracts
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Medicinal remedies for fevers and skin conditions
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Decorative and ceremonial uses, especially during winter celebrations
To the Aztecs, the plant symbolized purity, renewal, and new beginnings.
Their Meaning: Then and Now
Then: A Symbol of Winter & Rebirth
In pre-Hispanic cultures, poinsettias were associated with spiritual rituals marking the winter season and the return of longer days.
Now: A Symbol of Christmas, Joy & Celebration
Today, poinsettias represent:
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Hope
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Cheer
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Goodwill
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Holiday abundance
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The return of light in the darkest season
The red bracts are often seen as a symbol of love, warmth, and celebration, while white poinsettias symbolize purity and peace.
How Poinsettias Became a Christmas Tradition
Believe it or not, poinsettias did not become a holiday plant until the 1800s, thanks to a diplomat.
Joel Roberts Poinsett: The Man Behind the Name
In 1828, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, fell in love with the bright red plants he saw growing near Taxco, Mexico.
He sent cuttings back to his greenhouse in South Carolina, and began sharing them with horticultural friends.
Because he introduced the plant to North America, it was eventually named after him:
the poinsettia.
The Legend of the Christmas Miracle
Another thread comes from a Mexican legend:
A young girl, too poor to bring a gift to a Christmas service, gathered simple roadside weeds. As she placed them at the altar, the weeds transformed into brilliant red flowers, the Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of Christmas Eve).
This story solidified the poinsettia as a holiday symbol long before it reached garden centres.
The Power of Marketing (Yes, Really)
The modern Christmas connection also comes from the Ecke family in California, who mastered the art of cultivating compact, colourful poinsettias for home use.
Through decades of:
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National TV appearances
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Christmas magazine spreads
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Partnerships with florists and retailers
They turned poinsettias into THE Christmas flower across North America.
Why Garden Centres Sell Poinsettias at Christmas
Poinsettias are perfectly designed for the holiday season, both visually and seasonally.
1. They naturally “bloom” in winter
Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning they colour up when nights grow longer.
Their red, pink, or white bracts appear naturally around November–December.
2. Their colours match the season
Red, green, white — it’s the ultimate holiday palette in a single plant.
3. They last for weeks (even months)
With the right light and watering, poinsettias stay vibrant well into the new year.
4. They make perfect gifts
Affordable, festive, and eye-catching, poinsettias are one of the most gifted plants of the season.
5. They brighten indoor spaces during the darkest days
When gardens sleep, poinsettias bring colour back into the home.
Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
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The “flowers” aren’t flowers at all, they’re coloured bracts (modified leaves).
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True poinsettia flowers are the tiny yellow buds in the centre.
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December 12th is National Poinsettia Day in honour of Joel Poinsett.
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Over 34 million poinsettias are sold each holiday season in North America.
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The plant is not poisonous, mildly irritating if eaten, but not dangerous.
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In the wild, they grow tall like mini trees, not compact houseplants.
From ancient Aztec ritual plant…
to diplomatic discovery…
to global holiday icon…
Poinsettias have a rich, meaningful history that makes them so much more than décor.
They’re a symbol of hope, warmth, celebration, and the deep-rooted joy of the winter season.
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