It’s almost a given that at some point, a poinsettia will sneak into your holiday. Just as Santa and candy canes, the bright, bold poinsettia is an irresistible symbol of the season.
There’s every reason to welcome this popular potted plant into your home. With minimal care, it will go the distance from the tree-trimming party to New Year’s Eve festivities and far beyond. The red “petals” of its star-shaped flowers are actually long-lasting bracts, or modified leaves, that don’t soon wither the way ordinary blossoms do.
Good looks and longevity are worthy attributes, but there’s another aspect to the overwhelming popularity of this plant: Clever marketing by a single family of horticultural entrepreneurs firmly established this species as an icon of the holiday. Did you think that an exotic plant living in obscurity until the 19th century could become a superstar all on its own?
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