Your Ultimate Guide to Poinsettias: A Tour of 35 Beautiful Cultivars
If you think of poinsettias and only see red, get ready to explore a rainbow of colors with our guide to 35 stunning poinsettia cultivars. These beloved holiday plants come in a variety of hues and patterns, making them a festive addition to your seasonal decor.
The Beauty of Poinsettias
Poinsettias, also known as the Christmas flower or Christmas star, are famous for their vibrant bracts that surround the tiny cyathia, or flowers, at the center of the plant. Plant breeders have cultivated over 100 different varieties of poinsettias, offering a wide selection of colors, shapes, and growth habits to choose from.
Exploring the Cultivars
Let’s dive into our tour of poinsettia cultivars, highlighting some of the most beautiful options available for your seasonal display.
Red
- Prestige Maroon: Dark red to maroon hues with oak-leaf-shaped bracts.
- Princettia Red: Vibrant red with a hot pink undertone and white margins on the bracts.
- Solar Red: Bright scarlet bracts with a mix of rounded and oak leaf shapes.
- Viking Red: Large, crimson-colored bracts with smooth margins.
White
- Classic White: Creamy white to yellowish tones with flat or slightly upright bracts.
- Freedom White: Extra-large ivory bracts with improved heat tolerance.
- Princettia Pure White: Pure white with green-veined bracts and improved heat and cold tolerance.
- White Wonder: Snowy white with hints of cream and a full canopy of bracts.
Pink
- Christmas Beauty Nostalgia: Muted pink fading to pale green, perfect for vintage-themed decor.
- J’adore Pink: Bright pink with large centers and numerous cyathia, creating a floral appearance.
- Luv U Pink: Brilliant pink with continued bract production throughout the season.
- Princettia Dark Pink: Vibrant pink with faint white margins and improved heat and cold tolerance.
- Santa Claus Pink: Bubblegum pink bracts ideal for larger pots.
- Visions of Grandeur: Pale yellow to pink bracts with a soft, flouncy appearance.
Green
- Candy Wintergreen: Bright lime-green coloring for a refreshing contrast.
- Green Envy: Light green or chartreuse color with wavy margins and upright bracts.
Yellow
- Golden Glo: Golden yellow bracts ideal for autumn celebrations.
- Gold Rush: Deep golden with hints of pink, perfect for fall decor.
Bicolored and Variegated
- Christmas Beauty Princess: Red bracts with rose or white flares, ideal for warmer climates.
- Cinnamon Star: Golden peachy hue with darker pink flecks for a cozy winter look.
- Ice Punch: Ruddy-colored bracts with white blazes and wavy margins for an icy appearance.
- Jingle Bells: Bright crimson with white flecks and oak-leaf-shaped bracts.
- Jubilee Jingle Bells: Bright red with hot pink splashes, reminiscent of the holiday spirit.
- Mars Marble: Cream color marbled with pale rose for a softer look.
- Monet Twilight: Creamy bracts flecked with pink, perfect for an impressionist display.
- Peppermint Ruffles: Creamy yellow and pale pink with dark pink flecks and yellow veins.
- Pink Candy: Dark pink with darker pink flecks for a bit of sweetness.
- Premium Picasso: Creamy with carmine dusting for a unique appearance.
- Sparkling Punch: Rosy crown with a cream blaze for a festive touch.
- Sonora White Glitter: Scarlet with white spots and splashes for a playful look.
Other Novelty Types
- Carousel Dark Red: Small, dark red bracts with velvety appearance and scalloped edges.
- Christmas Mouse: Rounded leaves and bracts with a tidy, mounded appearance.
- Ruby Frost: Cream and reddish-pink variegation for a mesmerizing look.
- Tapestry: Cherry-colored bracts with variegated grayish-green leaves for a surprising display.
- Winter Rose Early Red: Scarlet bracts that curl to form globe-shaped “flowers” for a unique appearance.
Choosing Your Perfect Poinsettia
With so many beautiful cultivars to choose from, there’s a poinsettia for every taste and decor style. Whether you prefer classic red, elegant white, vibrant pink, refreshing green, or unique variegated options, these holiday plants are sure to brighten up your home during the festive season.
Which cultivar caught your eye? Share your favorite poinsettia varieties in the comments below and let us know which ones you’ll be adding to your holiday display this year! Happy decorating!