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The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has tropical origins: it's native to Mexico, and was traditionally used by the Aztecs in their fall celebrations. It was introduced to the U.S. by our nation's first Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett, in 1825.
The colorful and showy "flower" is actually a cluster of modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are small and clustered in the centers of the bracts. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous; however, some people are allergic to the sap, and it may make pets sick if they ingest it.
Poinsettias can be grown in outdoor gardens after the holidays – and can live to bloom through many seasons with the right plant care. The chance of frost is pretty low in South Florida, but it can happen! You should wait until any risk of freezing temperatures has passed before you transplant your poinsettia to its new home outside.
Poinsettias can grow quite large — up to 10 feet tall! —so find a spot in your yard with plenty of space for your poinsettia to mature. The area you choose should get plenty of direct sunshine and should have moist, well-draining soil. You'll need to pinch back your poinsettia several times during the summer. This helps create a full plant with lots of flower heads. In the fall, poinsettias should also be kept away from any artificial light sources at night, so keep that in mind when selecting a location. Exposure to artificial light (streetlights, porch lights, etc.) at night can delay or even prevent flowering. You can also grow poinsettias in pots outdoors rather than directly in the ground.
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