The Poinsettia

I'm not really that excited to decorate my home for Christmas. I do it, more for tradition than anything else. I think it's because this time of year is already so busy and the decorating only stays up a few weeks.

One thing that I do love to have in my home during the holidays is a poinsettia. They are easy to care for and come in many different styles and colors.

Poinsettia Facts

• Poinsettias are native to Mexico. 
• Some people may have skin irritation from the milky sap
• In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that can grow to ten feet tall. 
• Poinsettias are priced according to the number of blooms. The more blooms, the more expensive the plant. 
• Poinsettias are not poisonous. 
• Poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season. 
• Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett.
• Poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states. 
• December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. 
• There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available.
• $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season.
• Seventy-four percent of Americans still prefer red poinsettias; 8 percent prefer white and 6 percent pink.
• Eighty percent of poinsettias are purchased by women. 
• Poinsettias are the best selling flowering potted plant in the United States. In 2004 over 61 million plants were sold. 
• Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett.