Euphorbia pulcherrima
poinsettia
A semi-evergreen shrub with large, bluntly toothed, ovate leaves and tiny yellow flowers with leaf-like bright red bracts, opening in winter
Other common names
bird-of-paradise flowerChristmas flower
see moreChristmas star
fire on the mountain
lobster flower
Mexican Easter flower
Mexican flameleaf
painted leaf
pride of Barbados
fire plant
Synonyms
Euphorbia pulcherrima mixed
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Red Yellow | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- IRRITANT to skin/eye, harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors in a loam-based potting compost with added bark and leaf mould in full light during winter, avoiding any draughts. Minimum temperature of 13-15°C ( 55-59°F) during the flowering season. Water sparingly during growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10-14 days. See Euphorbia for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings in early summer. Use a hormone rooting compound
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Prune back the plants hard in April, to about 10cm (4in). Repot them, growing them in a light, cool place over summer. A temperature of 15-18°C (60-65°F) is ideal. Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in December and January. So from November onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources Plants need a constant temperature of around 18°C (55°F) to colour up well, so make sure they do not get too cold
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.