Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a plant usually grown indoors (houseplant) that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima).
This plant has several common names including: poinsettia, bird-of-paradise flower, Christmas flower, Christmas star, fire on the mountain, fire plant, lobster flower, Mexican Easter flower, Mexican flameleaf, painted leaf or pride of Barbados.
This is a semi-evergreen plant that takes 1-2 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: poinsettia, bird-of-paradise flower, Christmas flower, Christmas star, fire on the mountain, fire plant, lobster flower, Mexican Easter flower, Mexican flameleaf, painted leaf, pride of Barbados
Scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima
Plant type: Houseplants, Perennials
Habit: Bushy
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Loam
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) – Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a plant that grows in loam conditions. As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Euphorbia pulcherrima likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) – FASTILY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons