Poinsettias are known for their lovely red colouring, which people mistakenly think are the flowers. They are in fact modified leaves, rather in the same way as bougainvillea, and the flower is the tiny little yellow growth in the centre. Nowadays other colourings have been introduced and the plants are available in pink, creamy-yellow and last year a speckled variety was available.

These lovely plants were found originally in southern Mexico by Joel Poinsett, whom they are named after, and after they were discovered to be a viable plant they were introduced to the horticultural trade and now no home is without one at Christmastime. Potted poinsettias are regarded as house plants although there is another variety that is grown outdoors here in sheltered gardens which has woody stems but the flowers are slightly different.

Potted poinsettias do not like fluctuations in temperature and are best kept in a draught- free position in good light. Don't put them on windowsills because when the curtains are closed in the long evenings they are trapped between them and the cold window panes and will probably wilt.

Take care if a leaf is broken off as sap will exude from the wound and some people have allergic reactions to the sap. Make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after touching the plants.  Water sparingly. The best way is to run water through the pot over a sink and let them drip.  If you do this when the compost feels dry and don't leave the plant standing in a saucer of water, they should last right through the Festive Season and beyond.