A breeder's colour
Pink is not the wild colour of this Mexican shrub. Breeders have produced soft pink, hot pink and marbled forms that mix pink with cream or red. Some pink types fade to a paler tone in strong light or heat, which is worth knowing before you choose a position.
Pink in the Australian calendar
Pots sold in December have been timed with controlled lighting, because left alone a poinsettia in the southern hemisphere colours from autumn into winter. That means your pink plant is in an unusual season, and it needs a little help to cope with heat.
- A bright room with no direct afternoon sun keeps the bracts from bleaching.
- Keep it away from heaters, air conditioning vents and open doors.
- Water thoroughly, let the water drain, then wait for the surface to dry before watering again.
- Rotate the pot occasionally so growth stays even.
Using pink with other colours
Pink works well in mixed plantings with red and white poinsettias, and its marbled forms bring a softer note to a mixed display at a summer lunch. Outdoors in frost-free gardens, pink shrubs flower in the cooler months and make a pleasant contrast to the green of the garden.
Handling the plant
Like all colours, pink poinsettias carry a milky sap that can irritate the mouth, skin and stomach. The ASPCA rates poinsettia as an irritant for dogs, cats and horses and says serious poisoning is unusual. If you handle a plant and get sap on your hands, wash them. If a pet has chewed the leaves, ring your vet.
