Cream, ivory and the odd blush
White poinsettias are not as bright as snow. Most are creamy or ivory, and some are lightly flecked with green or pink. The white bracts are just as much a leaf as the red ones, with the real flowers sitting in the middle as small yellow buttons. In some traditions a white poinsettia is read as a symbol of purity, which makes it a calm alternative to red in a living room.
Care that keeps white bracts clean
White bracts show bruises and marks more than red ones do, so the way you handle the plant matters.
- Hold it by the pot rather than the stems, as bracts are brittle.
- Keep it out of strong sun and out of cold or hot draughts, both of which brown the edges.
- Water at the base only when the top layer is dry; wet bracts spot and can go mouldy.
- Wipe dust off gently with a soft dry brush.
Making sense of the seasons
Poinsettias naturally colour in the southern hemisphere's autumn and winter, which is when garden plants in frost-free areas change. Pots timed for a December Christmas are grown under controlled light, so they sit in summer heat with ease for a few weeks. After that, cut stems back by half in spring and keep the plant growing.
Sap on skin, and cats
White varieties carry the same sap as red ones. The ASPCA rates poinsettia as an irritant for dogs, cats and horses, usually causing mouth and stomach upset rather than serious poisoning. Keep it up high, and wash your hands if you get sap on your skin.
