Forget the holly and the ivy this year...

Poinsettias, with their rich red and green colours, are the perfect indoor plant for Christmas cheer. Julianne Robertson finds out how to best care for this festive favourite

There are many plants associated with Christmas time – holly, ivy, mistletoe – but the poinsettia’s popularity is undeniable. More than six million of these plants are sold in Britain each year; they come in a range of sizes and colours and their large leaves and colourful bracts mean it’s the perfect plant for gifting or displaying as a table centrepiece.

Originating in Mexico, poinsettias are a member of the Euphorbia family, with a reputation for being a little temperamental. They’re grown each year by specialist nurseries from imported cuttings, and usually sold in garden centres and supermarkets everywhere from November onwards. Red is the most traditional colour, but there are also pink, white, cream and bicoloured varieties.

The colour comes from their large bracts, which develop after being raised with long spells of darkness. They also have flowers, but these tiny yellow blooms are fairly insignificant in comparison to the bracts.

Carolyn Spray of Pentland Plants in Midlothian grows more than 50,000 poinsettias every year, to supply garden centres throughout

Scotland and the north of England. Her family was one of the first to introduce the plant to Britain around 70 years ago and they’re now one of the biggest Scottish suppliers. She offers a few tips on shopping for a top specimen: “You’re better to go to a garden centre because you get a better quality plant, which is usually locally grown: Poinsettias hate to travel and they don’t like the cold. You also get a better choice of colours than in supermarkets. “You’re looking for a plant that looks healthy, with a nice even shape, deep green leaves and lots of brightly coloured bracts.” When you’re transporting your poinsettia home, make sure it’s well wrapped and protected from any cold winds which can damage it, even on a short journey from the shop to your home.

Because of their Mexican origins, poinsettias like warm conditions with plenty of light and should never be kept in a draughty spot. They don’t like a lot of water, but shouldn’t be allowed to dry out and wilt.

A healthy poinsettia kept in the right conditions should last a long time.

“Cut them back by about two-thirds in March,” advises Carolyn, “then repot and feed it and you’ll have a green, leafy houseplant. The plants will only change colour when the daylight shortens, so they need to be in complete darkness each night from about mid-september until mid-october – put them in a cupboard or cover completely with a box for about 12 hours at a time. Once the colour has initiated they can be kept out and displayed as usual.”

How to make the most of your poinsettia? They are quite capable of holding their own in the centre of your festive table but poinsettias can be combined with other winter favourites such as ivy, holly and perhaps a candle or two for an attractive centrepiece.

Look for a plant that looks healthy with a nice even shape, deep green leaves and lots of brightly coloured bracts