Discover the best poinsettias for Christmas, to give as gifts or add holiday cheer to your home
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When it comes to the best poinsettias for Christmas, red is most peoples go-to pick. However, while red poinsettias are beautiful, this snap decision overlooks all the different colors and varieties available. In fact, there are over 100 varieties to choose from in an array of colors, with new ones being created by growers every year.
One of the best winter house plants, ‘there are many different colors and types meaning there is a poinsettia for every person and every situation,’ says Gail Pabst from the National Garden Bureau.
From pure white and pastel pinks to vibrant yellows and speckled designs, poinsettias are a favorite winter bloom and there are even some varieties that will flower into the spring.
To get the best out of them, good poinsettia care is key. ‘As a plant thats native to Mexico, poinsettias prefer warm, light conditions. While this means that its fine to keep it close to a radiator, try to avoid any drafts,’ says Naomi Robinson, founder of Houseplant Authority.
Poinsettias are a holiday staple, with their bright red and green colors signaling that Christmas is near. But did you know there are actually over 100 different types of poinsettia plants to choose from? Going beyond the traditional red, poinsettias come in a rainbow of colors and varieties that can spice up your holiday decor.
In this article, we’ll explore the wide world of poinsettia plants so you can find new varieties to brighten up your home for the holidays
A Brief History of Poinsettias
The poinsettia is native to Mexico where it grows into a large shrub. The Aztecs used the plant for medicinal purposes and as a dye. In the 17th century, Franciscan priests began using the flowers in Mexico for Christmas celebrations.
The poinsettia was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Its festive red and green colors made it a natural Christmas plant. Only the red variety was available initially, but plant breeders have since created over 100 cultivars in colors like pink, white, yellow, and more.
While in Mexico poinsettias can grow into 12-15 foot shrubs, breeders have created compact varieties more suitable for indoor use. Through selective breeding, they’ve also prolonged the life of the colored bracts that surround the actual flowers.
Poinsettia Color Meanings
Beyond Christmas, poinsettias are said to symbolize:
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Red – Good cheer, celebration
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White – Purity, innocence
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Pink – Good health, happiness
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Yellow/Gold – Wealth, prosperity
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Marbled – Beautiful in their uniqueness
When to Find Poinsettias
Poinsettias are associated with Christmas, but when can you actually find them in stores? Here’s a quick guide:
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Early season: Available in stores from October-November. Good for Thanksgiving or fall decor. Examples: Princettia Red, Peppermint Ruffles.
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Mid season: Available in November-December. Examples: Classic Red, Mars Marble.
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Late season: Available in December. Examples: Christmas Beauty Princess, Winter Rose Early Red.
No matter when you purchase them, poinsettias generally last 6-8 weeks indoors. With proper care, some can even last till spring!
23 Different Types of Poinsettia Plants
Ready to go beyond the traditional red poinsettia? Here are 23 stunning poinsettia varieties that are sure to upgrade your holiday decor.
Reds
Prestige Red – The classic bright red poinsettia. Large, oak-shaped red bracts.
Viking Red – Deep crimson red bracts. Dark green leaves. Excellent cold tolerance.
Solar Red – Bright scarlet red bracts in various shapes and sizes.
Whites
Princettia Pure White – Pure white bracts with no cream/yellow hues. Green veined leaves.
Freedom White – Large, creamy white bracts atop dark green leaves.
White Wonder – Bright snowy white bracts ideal for cooler climates.
Pinks
Princettia Dark Pink – Vibrant pink bracts with white margins. Continuous blooms.
J’adore Pink – Bright pink bracts reminiscent of flowers. Rounded shape.
Visions of Grandeur – Pale pink and yellow ruffled bracts. Airy, flouncy look.
Yellows
Gold Rush – Deep golden yellow bracts with pink undertones, ideal for fall.
Golden Glo – Bright golden yellow bracts that deepen with maturity. Compact.
Bicolors
Peppermint Ruffles – Ruffled pink and creamy bracts with pink flecks.
Ice Punch – Crimson red bracts with bold white centers. Wavy edges.
Jingle Bells – Cherry red bracts with white spots and splashes.
Special Varieties
Carousel Dark Red – Unique scalloped, velvety dark red bracts.
Green Envy – Chartreuse green bracts, a fun novelty.
Winter Rose Early Red – Curled bracts giving the look of red roses.
Christmas Mouse – Rounded bracts and leaves resembling mouse ears!
Tips for Picking Poinsettias
When selecting your poinsettias, follow these tips for the freshest, longest-lasting blooms:
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Choose plants with tightly clustered yellow buds in the center. Avoid blooms that are shedding pollen.
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Look for crisp, brightly colored bracts without wilting, browning, or falling off.
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Opt for plants in proportionate pots – large plants in small pots dry out fast.
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Inspect leaves for pests like whitefly before purchasing.
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Pick up poinsettias last when Christmas shopping so they stay fresher longer.
Caring for Poinsettias Year-Round
Did you know you can keep poinsettias past the holidays? Follow these tips to extend their beauty:
Holiday Season
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Place in indirect light, away from drafts.
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Water when soil is dry 2″ deep. Don’t let sit in water.
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Keep at 65-75°F – they dislike temps below 50°F.
After Holidays
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Cut back to 6-8″ tall in March. Repot in slightly larger container.
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Place outside in shade after last spring frost. Fertilize regularly.
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Bring indoors before first fall frost. Place in total darkness for 14 hours a day from October 1-10 to renew color.
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Resume normal water and light care. Colors should develop by Thanksgiving.
With the right care, you can enjoy poinsettias for months as houseplants and for years to come!
The Takeaway
Poinsettias are so much more than just holiday flowers – with over 100 varieties, they come in a rainbow of colors beyond the traditional Christmas red. From dark pink Princettia to unique Winter Rose, let these different poinsettia types upgrade your festive decor. And with the right care, you can enjoy their beauty long after the tinsel has come down. The next time you see poinsettias for sale, take a closer look and discover new varieties that will brighten up your holidays in style.
Ice Punch (Image credit: Alamy)
True to its name, this poinsettia definitely packs a punch – exploding with vibrant hot pink or cherry red bracts with feathery white detail down the center. Ice punch poinsettia would certainly make an eye-catching addition to your Christmas decor ideas – especially if you are planning on a pink and white or tropical-inspired decorating scheme.
1 Jingle Bell Rock (Image credit: Chocoholic / Alamy Stock Photo)
‘Jingle Bell Rock is a really lovely variety with a mixture of cream and bright red with glossy dark green foliage,’ says Pol Bishop at Fantastic Gardeners.
Its variegated bracts mean Jingle Bell Rock really stands out, and makes a beautiful complement to single-color varieties.
This poinsettia likes to be positioned in partial shade and requires little watering.
42 RARE POINSETTIA SPECIES | HERB STORIES
FAQ
How many types of poinsettia are there?
There are over 100 other varieties of poinsettias that come in varying size, colors, and patterns that you can choose from according to your preference.
Where should a poinsettia be placed in a house?
Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.
How many times a year does a poinsettia bloom?
The red and white “flowering” beauties can be kept year-round. And with the proper care and attention, they’ll “rebloom” just in time for next year’s festivities. (I’ve used quotes around “flowering” and “rebloom” because, technically, poinsettias do neither. Those red or white “petals” aren’t what they seem.
Why are poinsettias not allowed in hospitals?
Poinsettia plants cause allergic reactions in people with latex allergies.Nov 24, 2018