Poinsettias: The Perfect Holiday Perennials

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Coronado . While there is no snow, no garland or ivy, and not even , there is one item at the market that is a classic Christmas decoration.

Casa Blanca Nursery, known for its spectacular and ornamentals, is in full Christmas swing at the market with its huge display of poinsettias. Gone are the yummy herbs (for now) and in their place are yellow, maroon, crimson, pink and spotted poinsettias.

Unfamiliar with the iconic Christmas plant? Poinsettias are usually known for their deep red color with green leaves, making them the perfect accessory for the holidays. The most popular variety is the Ecke variety, named for the family, from Encinitas. The Eckes were the first poinsettia farmers to successfully breed the bushy red plants we know today. Before them, the gorgeous plants looked more like weeds.

Matt Fink of Casa Blanca Nursery sells the Ecke variety of the pretty perennial, and they come in fun colors like Jingle Bell, Shimmering Surprise and Monet. If taken care of correctly, the plant can last half a lifetime. "They'll last 30 to 40 years," Fink said. "The key to longevity for these is to dry them out between watering."

Poinsettias need to be watered very thoroughly. "Really soak it when you water it," Fink said. But make sure you don't water it again until the soil is dry. Keep this up and your poinsettia will stick around for many Christmases to come.

Another key component in longevity? Pruning. "After New Year's, cut them back," Fink said. "The more you prune, the bushier they become." To correctly prune them, cut them just under the bud of the next flower, or red leaf. The pretty colors will be gone for a while, but they'll bloom beautifully once they grow out again. "It'll be natural to have lots of green foliage," Fink assured me.

Casa Blanca Nursery sells their 6-inch pots of poinsettias for $9. They have smaller variations perfect for table centerpieces or end tables. Stop by the farmers market every Tuesday and pick up some festive foliage to decorate your house for the holidays.

Fun Facts

• Why poinsettia? The holiday perennial is named after the first U.S. minister to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett brought the plant to the U.S. from Mexico in 1828.
• Dec. 12 was declared National Poinsettia Day by an Act of Congress.
• Despite popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic. If your cat, or even dog, happens to munch away on a leaf, the worst that will happen is an irritated stomach (think diarrhea or vomiting). Humans should avoid rubbing their eyes after touching the plant to avoid irritation.