I thought I would blog a little bit about a couple of my favorite holiday plants–poinsettias and holiday (Christmas) cactus.

History of Poinsettia Plants

Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico and were used by the Aztecs to make a purple reddish dye.  The Aztecs also used the bracts or colorful leaves to help control fevers.

The introduction of poinsettias to the United States goes back to Joel Poinsett who was the first US ambassador to Mexico during the 1820’s.  He came upon a poinsettia plant while on a walk and brought it back to the United States.

Side View of the Poinsettia Gold Glitter Sled Centerpiece

Buying Tips

When buying a poinsettia plant, make sure it has colorful bracts with no green or black edges.  The flowers are actually the small yellow parts of the plant.

The poinsettia plant should be full and balanced.  The soil should feel wet.

Avoid buying a plant in a plastic sleeve. Poinsettia plants are sensitive to cold drafts.  If possible, they should be taken home from the store in a paper sleeve.

Once home, poinsettias need bright window light and water.  When blooming do not fertilize them.

What’s New with Poinsettias?

Some of new varieties of poinsettias are Princettias which are small compact plants with thin bracts.

A new poinsettia color is Golden Rush.  It has golden bracts accented with pink hints.  Golden Rush Poinsettias are popular when you don’t want a red poinsettia.

Faux Silk Poinsettias

Holiday Cactus (Christmas Cactus)

Christmas Cactus are now being called holiday cactus.  There are basically three types of holiday cactus.  They are categorized by when they bloom either holiday (Christmas), Thanksgiving or Easter varieties.

When purchasing a holiday cactus, make sure it has a lot of buds.  The plant should have plump segments nothing winkled looking.  The plants like bright indirect light.  Be sure to turn the plant’s pot around frequently so they get even growth.  Fertilize once a month when blooming and use well draining soil.

Holiday cactus plants need cool evening temperatures to set the buds.  I remember owning one huge holiday cactus plant that never bloomed.  One winter’s day I had a suspected gas leak and opened the large windows.

My holiday cactus plant was in direct contact with the cooler air.  That year, my plant profusely bloomed.

Holiday cactus plants are easy to grow and will bloom year after year.  It would not be uncommon to find someone with a plant over 30 years old.

What Holiday Plants are Poisonous to my Pets?

For a quick guide to toxic holiday plants check out the ASPCA’s website.  The site is easy to use and has photographs of actual plants.  They also have an animal poison control app available.

According to the ASPCA’s web site, it looks like holiday cactus is non-toxic to cat and dogs while poinsettias are toxic to both cats and dogs.

Enjoy your holiday house plants and also the season.

Please note that all the poinsettias on this blog page are artificial.

Noel, Noel.