Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Christmas Song' (70-80)

Origin
The Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Christmas Song', also known as the Poinsettia, has its origin in Central America, particularly in Mexico. This is where the plant grew in the wild in tropical rainforests. From the 14th to the 16th century, the Aztecs used the plant for medicinal purposes and as symbolic decoration. The plant was brought to the United States in the 19th century and was renamed 'Poinsettia' in honour of the first American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett.

Characteristics
The Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Christmas Song' is a winter-blooming plant that is especially popular during the Christmas season. It has dark green leaves that turn red on top, a characteristic that led to the nickname ‘Poinsettia’. The red flowers are actually not true flowers but coloured leaves or bracts. The real flowers of the Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Christmas Song' are small, yellow and located in the centre of the coloured leaves.

Care
The Euphorbia pulcherrima 'Christmas Song' requires moderate care. It is best to place the plant in a bright to semi-shaded position and avoid direct sunlight. The plant prefers moderate temperatures between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius. It is important to keep the soil slightly moist without overwatering to prevent root rot. After the flowering period, the plant can be somewhat pruned to stimulate growth.