SeeCalifornia.com

Pictured is a Central Coast facility of Rocket Farms, the nation’s third largest greenhouse grower and supplier of poinsettias to retailers such as Costco. After the plants are all shipped new crops occupy the space.

They go by names Christmas Wish, Glory, North Star, Saturnus Eclipse and Majestic Pink. If you missed the national Poinsettia Day on December 12, perhaps you had a chance to celebrate the 2014 poinsettia crop by picking one up at your local Home Depot, Walmart, Costco or CVS Pharmacy.  The poinsettia didn’t exactly get its start in California but one well known rancher/farmer named Paul Ecke and his son, Paul Ecke, Jr., are credited with turning this plant into a must-have holiday item providing decorator accents to any house, church, social function or even theme park.  Here are some tips on buying and caring for poinsettias.

10 FAST POINSETTIA FACTS:

1. Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, is credited with introducing the plant to this country in 1828.
2. Paul Ecke Ranch created, shaped and dominated the poinsettia market beginning in 1923.
3. One big hurdle for growers and sellers is getting consumers to realize that poinsettias are nontoxic.
4. Each year new varieties of poinsettias are introduced to the public.
5. Ecke Ranch was sold in 2012 to an international company which continues to research and create new poinsettias in Encinitas.
6. 80% of poinsettia holiday plants are purchased by women.
7. Nearly 100% of poinsettias sold in Sacramento are from California companies.
8. Poinsettias are grown in greenhouses before being shipped to stores for holiday sales.
9. The largest greenhouse growers in the U.S. supplying poinsettias come from California.
10. New products such as blue and silver poinsettias for Hanukah and Luv U Pink poinsettias for breast cancer awareness in October are helping poinsettia sales grow with new markets.