Back when Poinsettias first became the “it” plant for the holidays, they pretty much only came in one flavor: classic red. But oh, how times have changed! Nowadays, these festive beauties come in a wild array of colors, patterns, and even glittery finishes. Whether you’re a traditionalist or looking for something funky to match your modern decor, there’s a Poinsettia out there with your name on it.
A Rainbow of Poinsettia Colors
While classic red is still the undisputed heavyweight champion of the holiday season, breeders have been busy little elves. You can now find these stunning bracts (those are the colorful “leaves” that look like petals) in a whole spectrum of shades:
- White: Check out varieties like ‘Sonora White’ or ‘Bright White Princess’ for a snowy look.
- Pink: ‘Da Vinci’ or ‘Pink Peppermint’ offer a soft, romantic vibe.
- Yellow: ‘Lemon Snow’ brings a bright, citrusy pop to your coffee table.
- Red & White: ‘Marble Star’ gives you the best of both worlds.
- Speckled: ‘White Glitter’ looks like it’s been caught in a tiny snowstorm.
- Blue: Here’s a little insider secret—blue Poinsettias aren’t natural. They’re actually spray-painted! Because of the dye, they usually don’t thrive well after the holidays.
You’ll also see plenty of plants decked out in actual glitter. While that extra shimmer is a total mood for the festivities, keep in mind that the plants themselves aren’t huge fans of the glues used to make them sparkle.
Unique Varieties to Look For
Plant breeders clearly love a challenge, because they’ve developed some truly spectacular specialty varieties. We’re talking about plants that bloom earlier, stay vibrant longer, or even have curly leaves. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Princettia Series: These come in tons of colors and start blooming as early as September. They have slightly smaller bracts but grow in a super thick, bushy mound.
- ‘Autumn Leaves’: This golden-yellow beauty also starts early and looks incredible paired with modern metallic holiday decor.
- ‘Marble’ Series: These feature gorgeous bi-color bracts that fade from pink to white, often with a unique “curly” leaf texture.
- ‘Jingle Bell Rock’: This one is a showstopper with funky red-and-white striped bracts on a very full, branched plant.
- ‘Ice Punch’: This variety has a star-shaped growth pattern with a stunning color gradient—bright red on the edges fading to a frosty white or pale pink in the center. It literally looks like it’s covered in a thin layer of frost!
Caring for Your Specialty Poinsettias
Even though they might look wildly different, all these varieties are pretty much sisters when it comes to care. To keep them happy, give them a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Only reach for the watering can when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. And remember the golden rules: no “wet feet” (don’t let them sit in standing water) and keep them far away from chilly drafts!
