Poinsettias… A South Carolina Lowcountry Story – by Kimberly Duncan
This quintessential Christmas flower has roots far removed from the Palmetto state. Even so,
these “flowers of the holy night” are irrefutably tied to our South Carolina Lowcountry. Their story is yet another
piece of history that makes our area such a rich place to explore.
Born in 1779, Joel Roberts Poinsett lived on White House Plantation, tucked between the Black
and Pee Dee Rivers only a few miles from Georgetown. He was a SC legislator and Congress
member and Secretary of War under President Martin Van Buren. He was also the first U.S.
Ambassador to Mexico and a botanist, too.
During his time in Mexico, Poinsett’s avid interest in botany gave rise to long walks through the
countryside looking for new plant species. Late in the 1820s, he was thrilled to discover a wild
but beautiful shrub with large red flowers. He brought cuttings of the plant back to his
greenhouse in SC and began cultivating it to share with neighbors and friends.
Legend traces the story of Poinsettias to a poor Mexican girl who had no gift for the Christ Child.
As she walked to chapel on Christmas Eve. She was filled with sadness until a tender-hearted
cousin assured her the humblest gift, given in love, would be acceptable in His eyes.
In a great show of faith, the little girl knelt and fashioned a bouquet of common weeds as she
made her way to church. Then, a miracle happened. It is said when the child placed her fistful of
weeds at the foot of the nativity, they burst into clusters of brilliant red blooms.
From that day to this, the bright red flowers have been known in Mexico as the Flores de Noche
Buena – or Flowers of the Holy Night. They bloom only during the Christmas season. And so,
thanks to Joel Poinsett, the vividly colored plant has come to represent the festive mood at
Christmas for over 150 years – both in the US and Europe.
Tips for Poinsettia Care:
Poinsettias require moderately moist soil. Check plants daily and water only when the soil feels
dry to touch. If the container is wrapped with foil, remove it when watering or make a hole in the
bottom for drainage. Plants in clay pots require more water, while those in plastic pots are easily
overwatered. Apply water until it runs out the drainage hole, but discard water that collects in the
drainage receptacle. Do not allow poinsettias to sit in standing water.
