• About Us
    • Hours & Locations
    • Our History
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Our Community
  • Weekly Features
  • Events & Workshops
  • Rewards Club
  • Plant Selection
  • Products & Supplies
  • Gardening Advice
    • Garden Blog
    • Care Sheets
    • Q & A
  • Gift Cards
  • Contact Us

Wagners Greenhouse

> Holiday > How the Poinsettia Got it’s Name

How the Poinsettia Got it’s Name

December 1, 2014 / Holiday, Nola's Notes / Wagners Greenhouse

Learn how poinsettias got there name.

You may have already heard about the origins of the poinsettia and how it was discovered in Mexico, but just in case you didn’t, here’s a little history lesson for you. In 1825, Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and amateur botanist, noticed the plant growing in the southern regions of Mexico. He sent some plants home to his greenhouses in South Carolina to propagate. The plant quickly became popular in the United States and was known as the “Mexican fire plant”. Upon Poinsett’s death in the mid 1800’s, the plant was renamed the poinsettia.

The Aztecs had many uses for the flowers (actually leaves called “bracts”). They used them to make purple dyes for clothes and turned the milky white sap into medicine to treat fevers. Thank goodness we have better methods for treating fevers today.

There is an old Mexican legend about how poinsettias and Christmas came together. There was once a poor Mexican girl, Pepita, who had no present to give baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. As she walked to the chapel, she picked some weeds, made them into a small bouquet and put it at the bottom of the nativity scene at the altar. The weeds suddenly burst into bright red flowers and everyone was sure they had seen a miracle!

This year, the Jewish “Festival of Lights”, called Hanukkah is December 16 to December 24th, 2014. Every night a candle is lit on the menorah candelabra, eight in all. The ninth candle is used to light the others. A special blessing is said before the lighting. Presents are given and games are played. A truly festive evening!

The “Yule Log” is burning in our tree lot to chase the chill away while you shop for your Christmas tree. The log originated as a Nordic tradition but spread to other countries. It was to last for the “Twelve Days of Christmas”, burning some of it each evening. We, at Wagners, modify the tradition a little bit and refresh the fire with a new log each day.

Have a happy and blessed holiday, no matter how you celebrate the season!

Just,
Nola

P.S. Don’t miss a visit with Santa this Saturday at our Minneapolis store from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complimentary photos, refreshments and fun!

Related Content

Early Spring Ideas

Hand Dropping Fertilizer on Plant

Starting Seeds Indoors

Grouping Houseplants

Garden Blog Categories

Newsletter Signup

Sign up to receive periodic emails regarding our featured plants and products, upcoming events, and news updates!
Sign Up Here

Minneapolis

6024 Penn Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN

Garden Center 612-922-6901

Mon-Fri: 9 am – 7  pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

Directions

Bloomington

2100 W Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN

Garden Center 952-884-7889

Mon-Fri: 9 am – 7  pm
Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

Directions

Hugo

4860 Frenchman Road N.
Hugo, MN

Garden Center 651-653-8863

Closed for the season. See you in April 2020.

Directions

Wagner Greenhouses & Garden Center

Wagners is a fifth generation family owned company operating at the same location since 1901.
View Employment Opportunities

Garden Center

  • Visit Garden Center
  • Weekly Features
  • Garden Rewards Club
  • Care Sheets
  • Hours & Locations

Wholesale Plants

  • Visit Wholesale
  • Young Plant Programs
  • Young Plant Availability
  • For Landscaping Professionals
  • Plant Fundraising

Newsletter Signup

Sign up to receive periodic emails regarding our featured plants and products, upcoming events, and news updates!

© 2019 Wagner Greenhouses, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use - Privacy Policy.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Hours & Locations
    • Our History
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Community
    • Employment
    • Gift Cards
  • Garden Center
    • Visit Garden Center
    • Weekly Features
    • Events & Workshops
    • Garden Rewards Club
    • Plant Selection
    • Products & Supplies
  • Wholesale Plants
    • Visit Wholesale Plants
    • Young Plant Availability
    • Young Plant Programs
    • Ordering Info
    • Brokers
    • Finished Plant Availability
    • Holiday Plants & Evergreens
    • For Landscaping Professionals
    • For Retailers
    • Plant Fundraising
  • Gardening Advice
    • Garden Blog
    • Care Sheets
    • Q & A
  • Contact Us