Poinsettias

Poinsettias are the classic holiday plant, sent here in basket planters, dressed wicker pots, a double basket or as floor plants tall enough for a lobby. A florist close to the recipient picks out and finishes each poinsettia plant by hand.

A poinsettia gift often keeps its color for weeks. The guide explains what the red leaves really are and how to care for the plant.

Getting to know poinsettias

Bracts, colors and meaning

The bright parts of a poinsettia aren't petals. They're bracts, colored leaves that surround the small yellow true flowers at the center of each cluster. Red is the classic look, and growers also raise white, pink, cream and marbled varieties; in this collection, five plants are red and one, the White Holiday Poinsettia Floor Plant, is ivory. The plant is native to Mexico, where it is known as the Christmas Eve flower, and its star-shaped clusters of bracts are traditionally tied to the Star of Bethlehem.

Caring for a poinsettia at home

Set the plant near a bright window but out of harsh direct sun, ideally in a room around 65 to 70 degrees F, away from cold drafts and heat vents. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, then empty any water left in the foil, basket or saucer, since standing water can cause root rot. Dropping leaves usually point to cold air, a draft or uneven watering. For other holiday plant gifts, see our Christmas plants.

Poinsettia questions

Are poinsettias poisonous to pets?

Mildly. Their reputation is bigger than the risk. The milky sap can irritate a pet's mouth and stomach and may cause drooling or vomiting, but serious poisoning is rare. Still, keep the plant out of reach of cats and dogs, and call your vet if one chews on it.

Do poinsettias come back every year?

They can, with some patience. Keep watering after the holidays, cut the stems back to about six inches in spring, and starting in early fall give the plant 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness each night for about eight to ten weeks. The bracts can then color up again.

Is a poinsettia an indoor or outdoor plant?

Indoors, for most of the United States. Poinsettias are sensitive to temperatures below about 50 degrees F, so even a short wait on a cold porch can damage the leaves. In frost-free areas they can grow outdoors as shrubs, but holiday plants are usually kept inside.

Which poinsettia size should I send?

For poinsettia delivery to a desk or small apartment, the Dressed Poinsettia - 8 Inch is an easy fit, and the Dressed Poinsettia: 10 Inch, trimmed with ornaments, suits a hearth or foyer. The floor plants are made for lobbies and churches. Pair a smaller plant with one of our Christmas centerpieces for a fuller gift.