Finally it's Christmas!

Christmas is around the corner again, and Simonato's organic poinsettias are growing more beautifully than ever, ready to adorn your homes.
The turning point was in 2019, when Carlo Simonato and Rosanna Bertoldin decided to extend the organic protocol adhered by the company for aromatic herbs to the production of poinsettias, which we grow without chemicals or pesticides, using fully environmentally friendly practices.

The origins of the poinsettia
Its scientific name is Euphorbia Pulcherrima (the most beautiful plant in the Euphorbiaceae family). It was named "poinsettia" after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first American ambassador, who introduced the plant to the USA in 1825. An ornamental plant, it is indigenous to Mexico where it grows wild, reaching heights of between two and four metres. It was used as an insecticide in the past, thanks to the latex contained in its branches and stem, and is still regarded as a sacred plant, used to decorate churches and newlyweds' homes.
Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia flower is yellow and is surrounded by large leaves, which are usually a distinctive red colour but can also be white or pink.

The poinsettia in Europe
The poinsettia arrived in Europe even earlier than in the Unites States, imported to Berlin by Alexander Von Humboldt following his travels in South America between 1799 and 1804. From there, it spread across Europe, and is mainly grown in the warmer Mediterranean areas.

The legend
But if the poinsettia favours warm temperatures, how did it come to be regarded as a symbol of Christmas?
The answer can be found in a Mexican legend about a very poor girl named Lola who, not wishing to visit the nativity scene empty-handed, put together a simple bunch of weeds and placed them among the beautiful bunches of flowers left by other worshippers. Soon, the weeds were transformed into beautiful flowers with large red leaves.
Since then, poinsettias have been known as "Flores de la Noche Buena" in Mexico and have become a symbol of Christmas.

How to care for poinsettias
The poinsettia is a beautiful flower that requires some careful attention in order to thrive.
Above all, it should be placed in a bright space, but not in direct light. It also needs long periods of darkness, however, typical of the winter months. It should be kept in warm environments (with temperatures between 15 and 23 degrees, approximately) but away from sources of heat (such as radiators).
It does not need frequent watering; a couple of times a week is enough, or whenever the soil is particularly dry, to prevent stagnant water from gathering under the pot. Water should be applied to the soil rather than directly to the leaves.