Poinsettia (Christmas star) in pot
Red bracts yellow flowers Euphorbia pulcherrima
Green leaves with red bracts Christmas star (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Shrub Euphorbia pulcherrima green leaves red bracts
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Euphorbia pulcherrima, the Christmas legend
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Looking for inspiration for your Christmas gifts? Give a Euphorbia pulcherrima. Also known as Poinsettia or Christmas Star, this houseplant native to Mexico has been the star gift in North America since... 1825!
How to recognize the Christmas star, Euphorbia pulcherrima?
In its natural habitat, Euphorbia pulcherrima is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of four meters. Grown in pots and indoors, the Christmas star doesn't exceed 50 centimetres in all directions. The plant adopts a bushy habit, with a balding base.
The leaves are supported by a long, sometimes colorful stalk. The triangular blades measure between 20 and 30 centimeters. Dark green, they are marked by lighter veins.
Like christmas Cactus, Euphorbia pulcherrima blooms as the days shorten. The leaves in the center change color. They surround the newly opened yellow or green flowers. In nature, these bracts are red. But commercial cultivars are available with pink, white, cream or even yellow sepals.
The Poinsettia belongs to the Euphrobiaceae family. Its sap therefore contains latex. Gardeners allergic to this substance should wear gloves when handling the plant. Apart from this inconvenience, Euphorbia pulcherrima is non-toxic. You can place it alongside your tree without fear.
If you want to shine at your New Year's Eve dinner, tell your guests the story of the Poinsettia. In 16th century Mexico, Lola wants to give Jesus a present to celebrate Christmas. But the child is too poor to buy beautiful flowers to place at the foot of the altar, like the other villagers. Suddenly, a guardian angel appears. He advises her to go and pick the weeds by the roadside and offer them to Christ. Dubious, the little girl complies. Once inside the church, the foliage is transformed into magnificent red flowers.
Three hundred years later, in 1820, John Poinset was U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. He discovered the Christmas star, its legend and the enthusiasm it aroused among the Mexicans. The diplomat brought cuttings back to his country. Success was immediate. Americans and Canadians converted to the Poinsettia cult. Since then, Euphorbia pulcherrima has become a traditional gift at Christmas and New Year's celebrations all over the world.
Our maintenance tips
Euphorbia pulcherrima are not difficult to care for. Regular watering and a bright, draught-free spot are enough to keep them happy. But getting your Euphorbia pulcherrima to bloom again year after year does require some effort.
Watering
Euphorbia pulcherrima appreciate moderate, regular watering. Between two applications of water, leave the potting soil to dry out by two or three centimetres. Check this simply by touching the soil.
Always use water at room temperature to avoid thermal shock, which can damage the roots.
Be sure to remove any standing water in the saucer or planter.
Spray
Spraying foliage with water at room temperature improves humidity and reduces the risk of pest attack.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Repotting
Once flowering is complete, repot your Euphorbia pulcherrima to give it more space.
Choose a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Pour a drainage layer (clay balls or gravel) in the bottom.
Add a layer of potting soil for green plants. Plant your Euphorbia pulcherrima in the center. Top up with substrate.
Tamp and water to encourage rooting.
Fertilization
Use fertilizer to promote plant growth. Fertilization should always be carried out outside the flowering period.
Apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants to promote the appearance of flower buds.
Prune
Remove wilted bracts by cutting under a node using a clean instrument. Caution: the plant's sap contains latex. Wear gloves when pruning, especially if you're allergic.
Cutback the stems by about a third of their length.
Cutting
Wait until the end of flowering to propagate your Christmas star.
Section a healthy stem about ten centimeters long. Use a clean, sharp tool. Dip the end in lukewarm water to stop the latex leaking out. Remove the lower leaves and keep only the top pair.
Plant your graft in a pierced pot lined witha rich, light substrate, such as potting soil with sand.
Install the cutting in a mini greenhouse. If you don't have one, you can cover it with a translucent bottle. Remember to aerate regularly and mist the soil if it dries out.
Wintering
Euphorbia pulcherrima bloom when the days get shorter.
The bracts of Euphorbia pulcherrima change color as the days shorten. Your plant needs to be deprived of light for twelve to fourteen hours a day to flower again.
You can place your plant in a room with a window, but without artificial light. Make sure the temperature is above 19° and the location is draught-free. Between 8 p.m. And 8 a.m., close the shutters and leave the lights off, so that the plant is in total darkness for at least twelve hours.
Another solution is to cover your Christmas star with opaque cardboard between dinner and breakfast. This will keep the plant out of the light for half the day.
During this period, reduce watering and continue misting.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Euphorbiaceae - Euphorbiaceae |
| Type | Euphorbia - Euphorbia |
| Species | Euphorbia pulcherrima - Euphorbia pulcherrima |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Exposure | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting method |
In pots |
| Categories | |
| Tags |
Flowery Fritillary |
| Origin |
Central America |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 9b |
| Leaf color |
|
| Flower colors |
|
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