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National Poinsettia Day

Nature · Seasonal · December 12

A look at the poinsettia, the winter houseplant known for its red leaves, and simple ways to admire and care for one.

National Poinsettia Day falls on Saturday, December 12, 2026. That is 46 days away.

The poinsettia is a shrub native to Mexico, and in much of the United States it is the plant that shows up in grocery stores, church lobbies and office windows once the weather turns cold. Most people know it as a potted plant with bright red tops.

Those red parts are not petals. They are bracts, a kind of modified leaf that colors up around the real flowers, which are tiny, yellowish and easy to miss in the center. Breeders have also produced white, pink, cream and speckled varieties, so the red one is only the most familiar.

In its native setting the plant can grow into a tall shrub. Indoors it stays compact and asks for fairly little: bright indirect light, a warm room away from cold drafts, and water when the top of the soil feels dry. Soggy roots are a common way to lose one, so a pot that drains helps.

People tend to enjoy poinsettias by simply looking at them. A few grouped on a table or a staircase make a room feel finished. Some keep a plant going after the season and try to bring the color back the next year, which involves giving it long nights of complete darkness for several weeks in autumn.

If you look closely at the center of a healthy plant, the little yellow flower clusters are often still fresh, which suggests the plant has some good weeks ahead.

Ways to celebrate

• Look closely at a poinsettia and find the tiny flowers in the center.
• Check a potted poinsettia's soil and water only if the top feels dry.
• Move a poinsettia away from a cold window or heating vent.
• Look for a white, pink or speckled variety at a local garden center.
• Share a photo of a poinsettia display you spot around town.

Dates

All national days on December 12

Also on December 12

• Gingerbread House Day
• National Ambrosia Day
• National Ding-a-Ling Day

Categories: Nature daysSeasonal days