The History of Poinsettias

Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and naturally flower during the winter. Long before Europeans colonized the region, the Aztecs named the plant cuetlaxochitl in the Nahuatl language and used its bracts to make a reddish-purple dye for fabrics. They also used the sap for medicinal purposes and used the whole plant as an offering during religious ceremonies. When the Spanish arrived, they renamed the plant Flor de la Noche Buena, meaning “flower of the Holy night,” due to its resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem. Poinsettias were introduced to the United States by Joel Roberts Poinsett, who served as the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett was a controversial figure who was eventually made to leave Mexico due to his conduct, displaced many Native Americans during his tenure as Secretary of War (the forced exodus was known as the Trail of Tears), and owned slaves and a plantation. Poinsett was also an amateur botanist and when he came across the plant in Taxco, Mexico, he sent cuttings back to his South Carolina plantation, where they were cultivated. He then shared what he referred to as “Mexican Fire Plant” with other growers across the country. Eventually, the plant was renamed in Poinsett’s honor. But poinsettias didn’t become the de facto Christmas flower because of Poinsett. A Californian named Paul Ecke discovered a way to cause the seedlings to branch, producing fuller plants. He then began growing them in large quantities and selling them for Christmas, when other flowers were scarce. To boost their popularity, Ecke even sent his plants to TV studios across the country and they appeared on The Tonight Show as well as Bob Hope’s holiday specials. Today, poinsettias are closely associated with Christmas and are one of the best-selling potted plants in the United States.