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Pink Princettia poinsettia for Christmas

Filed Under: Garden Tagged With: flowers

Poinsettias for Christmas

December 10, 2023 By Lucy Mercer Leave a Comment

I think most people have that moment in the holiday season when it starts to feel like Christmas. For me, it’s when I bring a poinsettia home from the garden center. And if I’m being honest, it’s hard to stop at just one of the beautiful plants.

I’ve loved poinsettias since I was little, but keeping them around is more poignant now that my mom has passed. Mom worked for Ann’s Florist, a sweet flower shop in my town, for many years. Each year, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, she would send a basket of florist poinsettias to my house. Sometimes with balloons attached, sometimes with a teddy bear for my daughter, but always beautiful poinsettias.

That memory is just part of the reason why I get excited when I get to visit growers like Rambo Nursery in Cedartown, Georgia. Rambo Nursery is an exclusive grower for The Home Depot and these gorgeous blooms will be shipped to stores in north Georgia, north Alabama and Tennessee.

Visit to Rambo Nursery in Cedartown, Georgia

Following are pics from my morning at Rambo Nursery.

Red poinsettias in a plant nursery
Poinsettias growing in a greenhouse at Rambo Nursery in Cedartown, Georgia. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The more I learn about how poinsettias grow, the more I understand they’re a bit of a miracle. These vibrantly-colored plants start out as sticks poked in potting mix and within a few months in very controlled light and humidity, they grow into spectacular blooms.

Red poinsettias with golden pothos in a plant nursery
Poinsettias at Rambo Nursery, November 2023. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.

Poinsettia Bracts and Blooms

Here’s a botany lesson for you: the “blooms” are really bracts, a kind of leaf. The flower is the tiny yellow bud in the center. Look closely at the flower and you’ll see that it looks like a baby fish opening its mouth. That’s when the grower knows the plant is ready to ship to stores.

Red and white poinsettias in a plant nursery
Red and white poinsettias at Rambo Nursery, Cedartown, Georgia, November 2023. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

When you’re shopping for poinsettias, look for full bracts and a pretty, rounded shape.

Speckled red poinsettias in a plant nursery
Speckled and solid poinsettias. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

How to Water Poinsettias

When you bring poinsettias into your home, it’s important not to overwater. Keep them away from drafts and direct sun. When the soil feels dry to the touch, gently water and let the pot thoroughly drain. You’ll probably only water about once a week. You can use ice cubes, too. They melt quickly and keep your plants out of your sink. Use 5 ice cubes for a 5-inch pot, 7 ice cubes for a 7-inch pot, and so on.

Red poinsettias with green bracts in a plant nursery
Poinsettias at Rambo Nursery in Cedartown, Georgia, November 2023. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Red poinsettia with pothos in the pot at a plant nursery
Poinsettias with pothos in a pot at Rambo Nursery, Cedartown, Georgia, November 2023. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Poinsettias and pothos are a perfect holiday combination. The red and green look festive through the season, and at the conclusion, you have at least one plant to keep.

Pink and white poinsettias at a plant nursery
Pink “Princettia” poinsettias at Rambo Nursery, Cedartown, Georgia, November 2023. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Look for beautiful poinsettias in your local garden Center. If this is a Barbiecore Christmas for you, look for “Princettia” pink poinsettias. The color is stunning, with or without the Barbie theme.

Read More Gardening Stories

If you’re in the Atlanta area, there are a couple organizations that are valuable for meeting fellow gardeners and learning more about plants. Read about Georgia Perennial Plant Association and American Hydrangea Society and consider becoming members.

What’s Growing in Your Garden?

Let’s talk about gardening and more on Instagram and Facebook. You can comment here, too. I’d love to hear from you!

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