Why Are Poinsettias Considered the Official Christmas Flower?
Why Are Poinsettias Considered the Official Christmas Flower?
There's almost nothing more festive than the sight of a vibrant poinsettia. As resonant with the holiday season as the Christmas tree, this tropical plant hails from Mexico. Its origins in the United States date back to the early 19th century, when the country's Minister to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, brought it back with him from his travels.
It was not long before the plant became an unofficial symbol of the holiday season. While it's commonplace to see the poinsettia everywhere, from your favorite garden center to porches in the neighborhood, only a few question why exactly this plant is linked to Christmastime at all. Is it the brilliant crimson color, or is there another reason? It turns out history is far more interesting than meets the eye.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
The poinsettia's original ties to the holiday season actually stem from a Mexican legend dating back centuries. In the story, a little girl, Pepita, wanted to leave a gift for baby Jesus but did not have a thing to offer. Pepita was sad, wishing she could somehow scrounge together a gift worthy of bringing to Christmas Eve services. Her cousin told her that the size of the gift didn't matter — and that even a smaller present would be worthy of giving.
Pepita was comforted by this notion, as she didn't have any money, and she did what she could to gather the right gift for baby Jesus. As she walked to church, she began picking weeds and assembling a bouquet that she could give as a present. Some variations of this tale say that while Pepita walked, she was met by an angel who guided her to pick the weeds. When she arrived, she placed the weeds at the foot of the nativity scene. According to lore, this arrangement of weeds suddenly transformed into a vivid bundle of red blooms — the famed poinsettias. This is also partially why the colors associated with the holiday season are red and green.
Origins of the Poinsettia Name
The plant was named for John Roberts Poinsett, the ambassador who returned to the United States bearing the colorful gift from Mother Nature. Although the poinsettia existed in the country for quite some time, it was not until a horticulturist began sending the plants to people during the holiday season that the actual connection became unofficially "official."
The tradition began when horticulturist Paul Ecke Jr. took over his family's field stock plant business in the early 1960s. He eventually shifted his attention to cultivating a potted plant business, specifically through greenhouse production.
The poinsettia had already been a mainstay for the business by then. It came about organically when Paul's great-grandfather, Albert, emigrated from Germany to the United States in the early 20th century. He owned a health spa with a specific focus on vegetarianism, but it was difficult to source ingredients that supported the venture in their native country.
The family thus went in search of a more vegetarian-friendly climate and settled on Fiji. They assumed the tropical environment would be far more conducive to their endeavors. During their journey, though, they found themselves in Los Angeles, where they were particularly impressed by the vast land and the potential opportunity for growth.
The Ecke Family Connection
The Ecke family was so inspired that they decided to settle in Eagle Rock, a district in Los Angeles. Here, they began their business in earnest, beginning with an orchard and literally watching their humble garden grow. Along with that, their business expanded — and so did the vast selection of flowers. Eventually, a vibrant red flower that made its appearance in late fall and early winter caught their eye. It was the poinsettia.
The Eckes saw potential in the bloom. Relying on its beauty, the family encouraged nearby growers to make the poinsettia an integral part of their own practices. Specifically, they encouraged growth during the off-season, transforming the poinsettia into more than just a winter-specific bloom.
The family took advantage of the fact that it was one of the rare types of vegetation that actually bloomed in the winter months. They branded it the 'Christmas flower,' and the rest was virtually history — it cemented a position for the family to market the poinsettia in a fun and interesting way that, as it turned out, had widespread appeal for the masses.
One way the senior Ecke spread the word and marketed his business was by sending poinsettias to high-profile locations throughout the United States. It became an annual tradition to ship them to the White House, for example. He also sent them to nationally known talk shows, like "The Tonight Show," "Good Morning America," "Bob Hope's Christmas Special," and the "Dinah Shore Show."
He was so dedicated to spreading the love of the poinsettia during the holiday season that Ecke would have his ranchers cultivate and bloom the flowers during the off-season, several months in advance. That's because the majority of television programming was filmed in the summer or the fall, so the poinsettias needed to be ready by then.
The move was successful in so many ways. The programs showcasing the likes of Johnny Carson and Ronald Reagan featured in equal measure the beautiful poinsettia, and it quickly became clear that the bright red flower was a complete Christmas mainstay.
It wasn't just television that saw success, either. Ecke was inspired to connect with women's magazine editors throughout the nation, too. With titles like Women's Day and other well-known publications on the ballot, Ecke saw there was promise in inviting them to feature poinsettias in their holiday photo features in the same way that they would feature more traditional greenery of the season, like customary mistletoe and holiday trees.
Because the magazines often shot the spreads during the warmer months, Ecke used an out-of-season version of the poinsettia to ensure that the bloom received plenty of visibility by the time the holiday season rolled around.
While this type of vast media outreach gave the poinsettia a national stage, it wasn't the only way that Ecke and his family promoted the plant. They were also dedicated to lending it more local exposure. As such, they'd deliver poinsettias free of charge to nearby television stations, too.
The Poinsettia in the Modern World
It's clear that the poinsettia is a holiday-season staple. It's as much a part of a household's décor as a sprig of holly or a tree full of gleaming ornaments. It's the quintessential holiday plant, replete with the type of seasonal charm and beauty that instantly transforms the tone and spirit of any space.
Want to liven up a room? A poinsettia will do it. Missing that very integral centerpiece that brightens up your space? Try a poinsettia. No space for a tree but want to infuse the home with some good cheer and hope? Again, it's the poinsettia that delivers, time and time again.
The poinsettia even makes a lovely gift idea for anyone on your list. It's just as suitable to send to parents as it is to give to your Christmas-loving best friend or colleague who always comes through for you in a jam. Poinsettias are equally suitable for the service people in your life, including those who have always been there for you throughout the year, providing you with invaluable help when you've needed it most. Think of who those may be, like your child's teachers, your gardener, your housekeeper, or anyone who goes out of their way to help and consider repaying their priceless guidance with a thoughtful poinsettia.
The reason that the poinsettia is such a meaningful gift isn't necessarily just because it resonates so powerfully with Christmas. That's an obvious reason to lean on this plant choice, but its meaning is even more important. The beloved cold-weather plant is symbolic of miracles, joy, happiness, success, and good cheer. They're a perfect choice if you simply want to wish someone well.
Caring for a Poinsettia
It's also perfectly suitable to treat yourself to a poinsettia or two. If you happen to be the proud owner of this lush plant, it's important to give it some time and attention so that it continues to look its best all season long.
At a bare minimum, make sure to water the plant whenever the soil feels dry. You can test this by inserting just a fingertip's length in the soil; if it's damp, you don't need to water just yet. Since the poinsettia is a tropical native, it relies on sunlight to thrive — but be careful not to give it too much exposure. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so keep them in indirect light instead. Avoid drafty spots in the home, as well as temperature extremes.
With the right care, you can expect a poinsettia to last for as long as three months. The key is to give it the attention that it requires and to ensure that it's positioned in the optimal environment. Poinsettias are not "set it and forget it" type plants, but they'll thrive throughout the holiday season when they're well-maintained.
