Nowadays, the poinsettia is one of the best selling potted plant in the United States. The vast majority of Poinsettias comes from one source, the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California. Albert Ecke immigrated to the U.S. from Germany to Los Angeles in 1990 to open a dairy and orchard farm. He quickly became very interested in the poinsettia plant, and he began to sell them in street stands. Paul Eckle later developed the grafting technique, and his son Paul Ecke Jr., was the one who was responsible for the cultivating the plant. And now today the are the United States main resource for poinsettias.

The popularity of the poinsettia has been a holiday decorating staple due completely to the members of the Ecke family, who have worked tirelessly for decades to market the plant. Poinsettias are the most popular flowers for the holiday seasons, as it is known as the Flower of Christmas Eve, and in Spain it is known as the Easter Flower. The plants association with Christmas Began in the 16th century Mexico; where a story of a little girl who was to poor to provide a gift for the celebration on Jesus's birthday, was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church alter. The weeds soon sprouted into crimson blossoms known as poinsettias. From the 17th century on, Franciscan friars in Mexico included poinsettias in their Christmas celebrations.

Across North America, poinsettias are typical Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations in homes, churches, homes, and many other places. They are available in many drug stores, grocery stores, and other common. In the United States December 12 is the National Poinsettia Day.

Contrary to popular belief poinsettia's are not poisonous if ingested. The rumor that they were poisonous started from a story about an army officer's child who ingested a leaf in 1919 and died very soon after. Poinsettia farmers have been fighting the myth ever since this happened. Researchers at Ohio State University have done many extensive tests with rats, and have had no adverse effects. The American Medical Association has also stated that poinsettias are not a poisonous flower. Poinsettias are a part of the Euphorbia family, which its members exude a milky sap when broken open. While this is not poisonous if ingested, the sight of the sap can be alarming, and is probably a big contributor to the myth. In many species, this sap has been known to cause mild skin rashes which is not serious at all.

Success with poinsettias begins with the selection. Look for a plant with dark green foliage, completely colored bracts, with no sign of wilting or yellowing. If it is cold outside, make sure the salesperson you buy the plant from wraps it properly before you take it outside to your car, because it is a tropical plant. Exposure to cold temperature for even a few minutes can be proven deadly. When you get your poinsettia home, unwrap it and place it in a cool, sunny location away from any drafts. Water them whenever the soil feels dry, but never let the pot sit in water as you can drown the plant. Always pour off excess water from its saucer.