23 Poinsettia Colors and Varieties

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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Poinsettia Culture and Colors

Poinsettia is named for Joel Poinsett, the US minister to Mexico who brought the plants home in 1825. In its native climate, bright red poinsettia plants grow into large, colorful shrubs that display the colorful bracts (flower-like leaves) year after year. In the US, though, poinsettias are known mostly as seasonal potted plants used for Christmas displays, such as this one at Biltmore Estate's Conservatory. And they don't just come in red anymore; poinsettias are available at the holidays in shades of red, pink, white, coral and more.

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The bright white center of the ice punch pops against the deep fuchsia leaves.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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'Ice Punch'

The bright white center of the 'Ice Punch' pops against the deep fuchsia leaves.

The Marco Polo variety has a soft, frosted salmon color.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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'Marco Polo'

The 'Marco Polo' variety has a soft, frosted salmon color.

The elegant 'Glace' poinsettia features bright white bracts.

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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'Glace' Poinsettia

The elegant 'Glace' poinsettia features bright white bracts.

Who says poinsettias can’t be pink? The Mars Pink has a dark pink center and light pink leaves.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Mars Pink'

Who says poinsettias can’t be pink? The 'Mars Pink' has a dark pink center and light pink leaves.

The 'Valentine' features rose-shaped bracts and dark green foliage.

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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'Valentine'

The 'Valentine' features rose-shaped bracts and dark green foliage.

Photo: Image courtesy of The Biltmore Company

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'Christmas Season' Pink

This 'Christmas Season' poinsettia boasts large, impressive bracts on sturdy stems making them great for container planting.

Photo: Image courtesy of The Biltmore Company

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'Sonora White Glitter'

The bracts of this pretty poinsettia are speckled with white and red and then set off by deep green leaves for a novel take on this favorite holiday plant.

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'Princettia Pink'

This image of 'Princettia Pink' poinsettias was photographed at the annual University of Florida poinsettia sale.

With bright red leaves and dark green foliage, the Prestige Red is the classic holiday poinsettia.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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'Prestige Red'

With bright red leaves and dark green foliage, the 'Prestige Red' is the classic holiday poinsettia.

Salmons and creams are hot for the holiday season. Mix Marble Star in with traditional red poinsettias for a layered look.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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'Marble Star'

Salmons and creams are hot for the holiday season. Mix 'Marble Star' in with traditional red poinsettias for a layered look.

The bi-color bracts of the Ice Crystal variety added a weathered, slightly snowy look.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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'Ice Crystal'

The bi-color bracts of the 'Ice Crystal' variety add a weathered, slightly snowy look.

Mix in a small variety for visual interest. The Super Mini Winter Rose Red variety works well on the tabletop for dinner parties or wedding receptions.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

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Super Mini 'Winter Rose Red'

Mix in a small variety for visual interest. The Super Mini 'Winter Rose Red' variety works well on the tabletop for dinner parties or wedding receptions.

The leaves of the Cortez Electric Fire variety have a rich scarlet-orange color that pulls fall and winter together.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Cortez Electric Fire'

The leaves of the 'Cortez Electric Fire' variety have a rich scarlet-orange color that pulls fall and winter together.

The Cortez Early Red features smooth leaves and a dark red color.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Cortez Early Red'

The 'Cortez Early Red' features smooth leaves and a dark red color.

One of the first poinsettias of the season, the Early Orion Red helps you get that front porch ready right after Thanksgiving.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Early Orion Red'

One of the first poinsettias of the season, the 'Early Orion Red' helps you get that front porch ready right after Thanksgiving.

The Mira Red has a bold, bright and warm look that works well in winter displays.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Mira Red'

The 'Mira Red' has a bold, bright and warm look that works well in winter displays.

The Cortez Burgundy has a rich ruby color.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Cortez Burgundy'

The 'Cortez Burgundy' has a rich ruby color.

A little cream goes a long way in your holiday displays with the Mars White.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc.

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'Mars White'

A little cream goes a long way in your holiday displays with the 'Mars White'.

The 'Advent Red' poinsettia features intense red blooms and dark green leaves and is featured during the holidays in the Biltmore Estate's Conservatory.

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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'Advent Red' Poinsettia

The 'Advent Red' poinsettia has intense red blooms and dark green leaves and is featured during the holidays in the Biltmore Estate's Conservatory.

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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'Burgundy'

The 'Burgundy' like to be kept in bright, indirect light and features a rich wine color.

Photo: Image courtesy of the Biltmore Company

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'Peppermint Twist'

The 'Peppermint Twist' has dark green leaves and pink-speckled bracts.

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'Ice Punch'

These poinsettias feature variegated garnet and cream bracts and look especially pretty when presented in groups.

23 Types and Colors of Pretty Poinsettias

Poinsettia Culture and Colors

'Ice Punch'

'Marco Polo'

'Glace' Poinsettia

'Mars Pink'

'Valentine'

'Christmas Season' Pink

'Sonora White Glitter'

'Princettia Pink'

'Prestige Red'

'Marble Star'

'Ice Crystal'

Super Mini 'Winter Rose Red'

'Cortez Electric Fire'

'Cortez Early Red'

'Early Orion Red'

'Mira Red'

'Cortez Burgundy'

'Mars White'

'Advent Red' Poinsettia

'Burgundy'

'Peppermint Twist'

'Ice Punch'

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