December 12th is National Poinsettia Day. Did you know 70 million poinsettias are sold nationwide each year? It's the number one flowering potted plant sold in the country, some $ 220 million worth during the holiday season. One misconception, poinsettias are not poisonous. Infact, in 1992, the poinsettia was included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air. They can be kept all year, but because of difficulty timing blooms for Christmas, many buy new plants each year.

If you want to use the plants for next year follow these tips:
1)Start Oct. 1, put plant in complete darkness for 14 continuous hours each night (put in totally dark room or cover with a large box.
2)During Oct. Nov. and Dec. the plants require 6 to 8 hours of bright but indirect sunlight each day.
3)Controlled night temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees.
4)8 to 10 weeks should result in a colorful display of blooms for the holiday season.