Discover the Symbolism and Origin of Poinsettias Around Christmas

There are many plants that represent Christmas, such as holly. None represent the holiday quite like poinsettias, though. These beautiful blooms flower throughout the winter months, making them a holiday staple. In fact, December 12 is considered National Poinsettia Day! 

If you’ve ever wondered about the symbolism behind these stunning flowers, keep on reading! 

Meaning Behind the Shape of Poinsettias 

In the Christian faith, believers consider the shape of this flower to look like a star. It is representative of the Star of Bethlehem. They also believe that the red shade symbolizes the bloodshed by Christ on the cross. White poinsettias, however, are a symbol of the son of God’s purity. 

History of Poinsettias at Christmas Time 

In 1825, a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first ambassador from the United States to Mexico. He had plantations in South Carolina with greenhouses due to his immense interest in plants. 

Poinsett would grow a bunch of plants and have them sent to his friends. John Bartram was living in Philadelphia when Poinsett sent him some plants from his greenhouse. These quickly made their way to a local flower show where the first-ever poinsettia was sold to a man named Robert Buist. 

At first, people would buy these iconic blooms as cut flowers. It wasn’t until the 1990s when people would buy poinsettias for their landscaping during the holiday season that they were sold as a whole. 

A Legendary Plant

There is an ancient Mexican legend surrounding these flowers we know and love. It is said that a poor girl named Pepita was so broke she couldn’t afford a gift for baby Jesus. She was on her way to church when her cousin Pedro reassured her that Jesus would be happy with any gift; no matter how small. 

Without any money and already on their way to the chapel, Pepita bent down on the side of the road and picked a bunch of weeds to give as a bouquet. She was nervous that this gift wasn’t good enough for her Lord. 

The legend goes that when Pepita set the flowers near the nativity scene at church, they burst into beautiful poinsettias! Everyone gasped as they witnessed the miracle. This is one reason why some call poinsettias “Flowers of the holy night.”

Ecke Ranch and Poinsettias

Paul Ecke Sr. and Jr. are famous names in the poinsettia world!  These two men sold poinsettias at a roadside stand before eventually buying a ranch in California. Those humble beginnings would lead the Ecke’s to be the largest producers of poinsettias on the planet! 

80% of poinsettias sold in North America come from Ecke Ranch. They also supply 50% of these flowers worldwide! It’s safe to say they’ve earned the nickname “Mr. Poinsettia.” To add a bit of holiday cheer to the story, the Ecke’s would donate these flowers to talk shows during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Meaning Behind Different Colored Poinsettias

There are several colors of poinsettias. They each hold deep, individual meanings. You’ll want to keep the color in mind when gifting this flower to someone. Here are what the colors of a poinsettia symbolize.

Yellow

A yellow poinsettia typically represents being thankful and expressing gratitude. Because this color is bright and cheery, it can also represent enthusiasm and optimism, and promote clearer thinking. 

White

Gifting a white poinsettia can say a lot. This flower typically represents forgiveness. White poinsettias symbolize purity, the inner feminine, and deep thought. They are often given in a bouquet with other white flowers such as baby’s breath and gardenias 

Red 

Poinsettias are most commonly seen in the shade of red. They can bring a sense of holiday cheer anywhere they are. Red flowers typically are a sign of desire, love, pleasure, and strength. These are easily the most eye-catching shade of poinsettias. 

Pink

Lastly, pink poinsettias can represent new beginnings and inner beauty. They are often given to symbolize affection towards someone in your life who is experiencing grief or mental health issues. Giving pink poinsettias is a great way to show someone you love them with a gentle touch. 

Caring for Poinsettias

Another reason why these blooms are a popular gift during the holiday season is because they require little maintenance. The one thing you’ll want to focus on is how much water the poinsettia receives. You should keep the soil moist even in between waterings. 

The draining tray should be emptied after the plant has finished draining excess water. oftentimes, poinsettias are displayed in a foil wrapping. All you need to do is poke some holes at the bottom to create proper drainage. It’s also best to avoid fertilizing a poinsettia until it is fully bloomed. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © shakzu/iStock via Getty Images