Poinsettia Day

The Aztecs considered poinsettias a symbol of purity because of their brilliant red color. They were also highly prized by Kings Nezahualcoyotl and Montezuma but because of the high altitude climate of their city, poinsettia plants could not be grown in their region of the Aztec Empire.

These flowers were first introduced in the United States in 1828 by the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. While visiting Taxco, Poinsett found the flowers growing on the hillside and he sent some of them to his home in South Carolina. The flowers grew well in his greenhouse and so Poinsett began distributing them. The name poinsettia soon became the accepted name of the flower in English-speaking countries.

Poinsettias are well known for their association with Christmastime. They represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season.  Another interesting fact: Over eighty percent of poinsettia purchases are made by women!

To celebrate National Poinsettia Day, purchase a beautiful poinsettia plant for a friend or for yourself!