Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

Botanical name

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Other names

Poinsettia, Bird-of-paradise flower, Christmas flower, Christmas star, Fire on the mountain, Fire plant, Lobster flower, Mexican Easter flower, Mexican flameleaf, Painted leaf, pride of Barbados

Genus

Euphorbia Euphorbia

Species

E. pulcherrima - E. pulcherrima is a tender evergreen shrub grown as a houseplant. It has dull dark-green leaves and conspicuous red bracts which surround insignificant greenish-red flowers.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Compact

Toxicity

Sap is a skin irritant

Colour

Flower

Flushed green, Red in Winter

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse whitefly

General care

Pruning

Pinch out growing tips to maintain a compact habit otherwise it has a tendency to grow long and leggy. Do this with care, as milky sap is a skin irritant.

Propagation methods

Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Indoor

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a bright, draught-free position, away from direct sunlight and radiators at a constant 20C temperature. Keep compost moist but not waterlogged and give a liquid feed fortnightly.

Soil type

Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

Common pest name

Banded-winged whitefly

Scientific pest name

Trialeurodes abutiloneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous whitefly native to the Americas with the potential to introduce harmful viruses to the UK. EU regulation should be considered and further assessed by EPPO.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/