THE FOLKLORE OF PLANTS: Poinsettia
Lisa Karen Miller
In the 1820s Joel Roberts Poinsett, America’s first Minister to Mexico, brought his wife a new plant he had found there. Little did they realize their family name would be associated forevermore with Christmas.
December 12th is National Poinsettia Day in the U.S., marking the anniversary of his death.
Its link with Christmas began long before it was brought to America, however. A 16th century Mexican legend tells of a girl, known as either Pepita or Maria, who wanted to bring a gift for Jesus’ birthday. An angel told her to gather some weeds at the roadside.
When placed on the altar, red blooms appeared on the weeds, and the poinsettia was born, as was the tradition of giving it at Christmas. From this story comes the belief “Anything you give with your heart is love.” In Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia is called “La Flore de la Noche Buena,” or Flower of the Holy Night.
Beginning in the 17th century, Franciscan friars used them in their Christmas décor. The leaf pattern resembles the Star of Bethlehem that led the three kings to Christ, and the red bracts symbolize the blood of Christ.
The poinsettia, because of its colors and our ability to make it bloom in December, has since graced millions of American homes at the yuletide season. Every year, around 70 million are sold during a six-week period in winter.
Paul Ecke Ranch, with locations in California and Guatemala, grows half the poinsettias worldwide and serves 70% of the U.S. market.
Ecke was a brilliant marketer. He popularized the plants by sending them freely to television stations to be used on air during news and other broadcasts. When viewers subsequently demanded them at nurseries, his business soared.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not dangerous to pets or children, though eating it may result in some tummy upset.
It was cultivated by Aztecs for use in traditional fever medicine and to make red dye. Native Mexican populations are now threatened by deforestation, because forestry is still largely unregulated by our neighbor to the south.
To make your poinsettia rebloom, after bloom is over, limit watering so it can go dormant until spring. In April, prune down to six inches. Keep outdoors for the summer. In fall, bring indoors, reduce watering, and give twelve hours of darkness every night. Once the bracts have attained color, reduce darkness and increase water.
This Christmas, remember Pepita’s lesson – any gift is beautiful because it is given.
Yes, even that ugly sweater.
© Copyright 2023 Lisa Karen Miller
Folklore of Plants 
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