National Poinsettia Day

Celebrated on 12/12/2026

Quick Fact

National Poinsettia Day is celebrated on December 12th, marking the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico who introduced the plant to America in 1828. The holiday also honors Paul Ecke, the horticulturist who popularized the poinsettia as a Christmas plant through his innovative grafting techniques.

Origins and Establishment of National Poinsettia Day

National Poinsettia Day was established by an act of Congress in 2002 to honor Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who discovered the plant in the Mexican state of Taxco in 1828. Poinsett, an avid botanist, sent cuttings back to his greenhouse in South Carolina, where he cultivated the plant. The day was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Poinsett's death on December 12, 1851. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Ed Royce of California and signed into law by President George W. Bush.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Initially, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) was a wild plant in Mexico, where it was known as "Flor de Nochebuena" (Christmas Eve flower). The plant gained popularity in the United States thanks to the Ecke family, who developed grafting techniques that created fuller, more compact plants. Today, National Poinsettia Day is celebrated by poinsettia growers, florists, and garden enthusiasts. Many botanical gardens and greenhouses host special events, and the day is often marked by donating poinsettias to hospitals, nursing homes, and charities.

Facts & General Observations

• Poinsettias are the best-selling potted plant in the United States, with approximately 70 million sold annually during the holiday season.
• Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not highly toxic; a 50-pound child would need to consume over 500 leaves to experience any significant effect.
• The colorful parts of the poinsettia are actually modified leaves called bracts; the true flowers are the small yellow structures in the center.

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