Euphorbia pulcherrima [Jester Red] ('Eckalverta')

RHS Plant Profile

poinsettia [Jester Red]

RHS

Synonyms

Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Eckalverta'

Houseplants Herbaceous Perennial

A bushy, semi-evergreen shrub to 50cm tall with dark green, bluntly toothed, ovate leaves. In winter, small, yellow flowers are surrounded by leaf-like, upright, bright red bracts

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Euphorbia can be annuals, perennials, shrubs or succulents, with milky sap and small flowers held within cupped, often colourful bracts
Name Status: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added bark and leaf mould in full light during winter, avoiding any draughts. Minimum temperature of 13-15°C during the flowering season. Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in December and January; from November onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources. Water sparingly during growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10-14 days. See Poinsettia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Prune back hard in April, to about 10cm

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds