Bonnie Nowicki
Holiday plants are everywhere. Cheery, bright-red poinsettias line the aisles of our local Walmart and most other stores. Back in 2019, my December article detailed a bit of history about these plants, which I feel is worth repeating.
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are the traditional choice for the Christmas holidays. This plant species is indigenous to Mexico. Its common English name is derived from Joel Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant to the U.S. in 1825. Poinsettias’ colorful bracts (modified leaves) brighten up any room in your home. In the plant world, these bracts are designed to attract insects to the tiny yellowish flowers in the plant’s center. Being part of the Euphorbia family, they exude a milky sap when branches are broken. The sap may cause an itchy rash. A well-known misconception is that poinsettias are poisonous to pets. In truth, they are only mildly toxic if ingested, and many plants would have to be eaten.
Purchase full, not leggy plants whose bracts are firm, not drooping, with the little center flowers intact. When the topsoil is dry, water and drain thoroughly. No fertilizer is necessary while in bloom. Bright light and temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees are ideal.
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is another popular holiday choice. It is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species, originally found in the coastal mountains of Southeast Brazil. As epiphytes, which means they grow on something else besides soil, they’re found in the crotches of trees or in rock outcroppings in shady habitats with high humidity. Their stems resemble leaf-like, spineless, flat pads. As cultivated houseplants, they flower best when slightly pot-bound. The amazing array of flower colors appears from areoles at the joints and tips of stems and will bloom into February. They prefer indirect light and less water—every 10 days or so is best.
I would like to share an interesting legend. A young boy living in the jungles of Brazil prayed to God for a sign of Christmas. When he stepped out of his hut on Christmas Day, the jungle trees were filled with hanging flowers from the cacti growing in the branches. They looked like Christmas bells to the delighted little boy. Unfortunately, this legend isn’t very likely, since Christmas cacti bloom when days are short in Brazil, which is May in the southern hemisphere. That’s why Brazilians call our Christmas cactus May flower.
I hope this holiday plant history encourages you to purchase several to enjoy well past New Year’s Day. Christmas blessings to all!