32 Unexpected Poinsettia Varieties to Try this Season

It’s hard to find more festive plants than classic red poinsettias. But did you know there are over 100 varieties to choose from with a multitude of shapes and colors? These iconic flowers have had a major role in celebrations and ceremonies since ancient times. The Aztecs call them Cuetlaxochitl and use their colorful foliage to make red and purple dyes for ceremonial clothing. They decorated temples and palaces with them and even use them as medicines today. 

Today, we admire their specialized leaves called bracts. They surround the plant’s tiny flowers, or cyathia. When the days get shorter between November and January, the bracts change into brilliant colors. 

This winter season, break away from the norm and try experimenting with lesser-known cultivars and colors. They are easy to grow indoors and will liven up your indoor spaces. Below are 32 unexpected poinsettia varieties to try growing this winter. 

‘Sky Star’

Poinsettia ‘Sky Stars’ are striking additions to an indoor holiday flower garden. They have white speckles that lay on their ruby bracts, like powder snowflakes or dancing night stars. Their leaves are thick and dark green. They’re festive and magical, and I use them as a holiday centerpiece when I can find them. 

‘Sky Stars’ grow well together in clusters and need very little maintenance. Plant them away from a cold window and enjoy their deep-colored foliage for 6-8 weeks. If you can find them in your area, these unexpected flowers will become one of your favorites. 

‘Enduring Marble’

‘Enduring Marbles’ are rare but delicate additions to your holiday flower collection. Their orange and cream-colored bracts look like orange cream popsicles surrounded by thick green foliage. You’ll enjoy their soft colors for weeks. 

Plant them in containers at an entryway or in small spaces near bright light. They are one of the most tolerant varieties of poinsettias for low-light spaces, making them perfect for hallway decorations. Grow them with darker varieties to add balance and soft background colors that almost look delicious!

‘Green Envy’

If you want to shake things up, try growing ‘Green Envy’ poinsettias this season. They have lovely lime-colored bracts, wavelike edges, and thick, beautiful foliage. They’ll break up the season’s monotonous color pattern with soft, spring-like hues. 

Their blooms last for weeks, giving you vivid green and white colored foliage past the holidays. If you want a poinsettia variety to get you into the mood for spring after the holidays, try finding ‘Green Envy’ varieties at your local nursery. 

‘Robyn Pink’

‘Robyn Pink’ poinsettias are loud, bright, and full of character. These bright pink varieties are easy to maintain, with lush foliage and a sturdy structure. Their bubblegum bracts are long-lasting and will brighten up any indoor space. 

Plant these fun flowers for an instant shot of pink. Use them near quirky tree decorations or as centerpiece plants after the holidays to usher in spring. They’re some of the easiest and most compact varieties to grow. 

‘Plum Pudding’

Just when you thought poinsettias couldn’t get more festive, these poinsettias come in bright sugar plum hues that almost look like candy. ‘Plum Pudding’ poinsettias have brightly colored violet and purple bracts that look stunning next to Christmas trees, ornaments, and hallways. 

They have dark green foliage and compact growth, perfect for containers and tight spaces. Use them to finish poinsettia rainbow patterns or to add a red wine-inspired twist to your holiday decor. They are mid-season varieties and should last for up to nine weeks. 

‘Jingle Bell Rock’

‘Jingle Bell Rock’ cultivars are bright, festive, and multi-colored. They have bright cream and candy cane-colored bracts and bright green foliage. The colors often mix, creating a festive tie-dye pattern. 

These varieties are late bloomers and should last until the spring. They look amazing near holiday decorations or in rooms for a burst of color. 

‘Christmas Beauty™ Cinnamon’

‘Christmas Beauty™ Cinnamon’ varieties will warm up your space with soft cinnamon and peach-colored bracts and striking dark green foliage. They are long-lasting and easy to maintain, with compact growth and soft colors. They don’t do as well as other varieties in humid conditions, so keep them away from kitchens and foggy windows. 

These varieties are perfect for neutral spaces or adding a touch of romance to your room. Switch your red and white poinsettias with ‘Christmas Beauty™ Cinnamon’s after the holidays. They’ll quickly put you in the mood for spring.  

‘Valentine’

It’s hard to find more romantic varieties than ‘Valentine’ cultivars. They have deep red, rose-shaped bracts with dark green curled foliage and large cyathus. Their stems stand straight, resembling red roses in an ornamental garden. 

Plant these cultivars in low-light parts of your home. They work great in bedrooms and hallways. They are some of the longest-lasting varieties. You may get to enjoy them in time for Valentine’s Day! 

‘Prestige Maroon’

‘Prestige Maroon’ varieties grow dense clusters of bracts and dark green foliage. These stunning flowers are easy to grow and elegant. They also have some of the largest bracts of any poinsettia variety!

Plant these fun varieties for big, bold, and festive colors that will fill up your indoor spaces. They look great growing next to wreaths, dark green pines, and other intense holiday foliage. 

‘Tapestry’

‘Tapestry’ varieties add multi-colored hues of yellow, green, and red. These cultivars are some of the easiest to maintain and are resistant to dropping prematurely. They can handle a vast variety of indoor environments. As with all poinsettias, keep them away from the cold and severe temperature changes. 

Besides their colorful patterns, these cultivars are some of the longest-lasting. You’ll enjoy them through the holidays and possibly into spring. 

‘Candy Wintergreen’

Shake up the monotonous red, white, and yellow with ‘Candy Wintergreen’ cultivars. These lime, to tea green bracts look stunning in hallways, rooms, and kitchens. Plant them with other varieties for a soft background that makes other flowers and decorations pop. 

These plants form sturdy V shapes that are easy to maintain. They are mid-season flowers and stay vibrant for months. 

‘Christmas Feelings™ Merlot’

‘Christmas Feelings™ Merlot’ cultivars are easy to grow and maintain. They have elegant bracts that resemble the juiciest Merlot wines, framed with intense dark green leaves. Their bracts are more intensely colored than most standard red varieties. 

They flower mid to late season and last for months. They go well next to white varieties such as ‘Biancaneve White’ or bright yellow cultivars. 

‘Monet Twilight’

If you’re reluctant to give up on the fall color pallet, try planting ‘Monet Twilight’ varieties. They are a beautiful late-season flower with sturdy branches and elegant foliage. Their bracts form cream and orange patterns that resemble Claude Monet’s twilight landscape paintings. 

They’ll fill your indoor spaces with late-season fall colors. As the bracts mature, they become more vivid and intense. Plant them near fireplaces and kitchens for an inviting rustic, hand-painted look. 

‘Ice Punch’

‘Ice Punch’ varieties are sometimes hard to find but are worthy additions to your indoor flower collections. They have bright red rose bracts with white flames down the middle. This wild pattern makes them unlike any other poinsettia variety on the market. 

These colorful novelties are long-lasting and early blooming. They stay compact, upright, and easy to maintain. Their bright multi-colored bracts will quickly steal the show and outperform most other varieties. Make them the centerpiece and give them the starring role they deserve. 

‘Premium Ice Crystal’

Try growing ‘‘Premium Ice Crystal” cultivars for multi-colored blooms that will fill your home with color. Enjoy fluffy bracts with bright pink and red edges and icy light pink to peach centers. The colorful bracts take up a huge portion of the plant, making this novelty poinsettia one of the most colorful. 

They love warm indoor spaces with plenty of ambient light. They are easy to grow and work well placed next to mono-colored varieties to shake things up. 

‘Christmas Surprise’

‘Christmas Surprise’ cultivars give you a bright pop of orange just when you need it the most. As their bracts deepen in color, they look like warm yams and dark blood oranges. They are so juicy and delicious looking, it’ll be hard not to place them in the center of your kitchen. 

Keep these plants away from windows and chilly spaces. They thrive with indirect light and become bold and beautiful with minimum upkeep. As long as they’re healthy, you’ll enjoy their red-orange bracts for months. 

‘Autumn Leaves’

If you love fallen leaves and the coziness of fall, you’ll love ‘Autumn Leaves’ poinsettias! These varieties bloom early in November, giving you rustic fall colors throughout the winter. When the bracts mature, they exude subtle yellow, orange, and pink colors reminiscent of a forest floor in autumn. 

Plant these underrated cultivars in a warm place, away from dramatic temperature changes. If you see drooping leaves, it could mean your plants got too cold. Like all poinsettias, these beautiful cultivars are easy to maintain. 

‘Winter Rose’

‘Winter Rose’ varieties have dark red bracts shaped like round rose petals. They make beautiful curls around the stems and leaves and look like elegant rose patches. 

These brilliant cultivars are some of the longest-lasting on the market. There are several other cultivars in the Winter Rose series, including the popular Winter Rose White. They each maintain their distinctive smooth rose shape well into the winter. 

‘Visions of Grandeur’

‘Visions of Grandeur’ varieties are some of the easiest, fullest, and most stunning poinsettias you can find. Their bracts are bright pink and cream with hints of gold as they mature. They’re so elegant they’ll become the focal point of any indoor space. 

Each bract forms ruffled edges that look like the seams of an elegant gown. Plant them in the center of a table, kitchen, or hallway. Or, try them hanging containers near your Christmas tree or fireplace. 

‘Christmas Beauty™ Princess’

‘Christmas Beauty™ Princesses’ are some of the most beloved members of the Christmas Beauty™ series of cultivars. They have bright pink bracts with showstopping dark green foliage. As the bracts mature, you may get dark pink and even red hues adding to the magic. 

They are sturdy and vigorous and can thrive for years if you take care of them. Use them as the centerpiece in your holiday garden or to complement your holiday decorations. 

‘Country Quilt’

Plant ‘Country Quilt’ cultivars to get a unique patchwork of color that looks like a cozy winter blanket. These unique varieties have speckled patterns of lime, red, cream, and burgundy. They can last a long time, making them the perfect centerpieces for your holiday home decor. 

Like all poinsettias, a little upkeep is important to keep them looking vibrant. By November, you should start to see the colorful bracts appearing. When this happens, stop fertilizing your plants to let the colors intensify. 

‘Silverstar™ Red’

‘Silverstar™ Red’ poinsettias are as Christmassy as you can get. They won BYU’s horticulture trials in 2009 as the best poinsettia variety and are still hugely popular. 

These poinsettias have bright red bracts and dark green foliage. They form dense clusters of color that pop out amongst other plants and holiday decor. You’ll enjoy them through the winter as long as they get adequate darkness and warm temperatures. 

‘Lemon Glow’

There’s nothing like ‘Lemon Glow’ varieties planted next to standard poinsettias. These unique cultivars steal the show and add majestic yellow hues to any holiday arrangement. 

Plant them near duller colors to add a pop of sunshine. They look great as focal points or to add warmth and light to open indoor spaces. These novelty cultivars are long-lasting and will stay healthy well into the winter. 

‘Biancaneve White’

‘Biancaneve White’ varieties have striking white bracts that resemble freshly fallen snow. You’ll see the color changes in November. As the holidays approach, they get more vivid and spread down the stems, creating full bouquets of bright white. 

These are some of the largest bracts you can get! They’ll fill your room, kitchen, or hallway with brilliant white foliage. 

Plant these varieties early in the season to get the holidays started. They are early-season varieties so don’t rely on them to last past the holidays.

‘Kayla Red’

Choose ‘Kayla Red’ varieties for their bright ruby red hues and long-lasting color. These plants have oak-shaped leaves with beautiful ridges. In the center are gemstone-like cyathia that make the plants look like crown jewels. 

Beekenkamp Plants created them for their incredible V shape, intense color, and sturdiness. During the Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day in 2021, Layla Red beat over 175 other cultivars to take top honors. 

‘Freedom Peppermint’

‘Freedom Peppermint’ varieties are elegant and warm. Their colorful bracts blend creamy apricot, pink, and raspberry hues to create a unique color pattern. 

They are one of the most beloved members of the Freedom series of cultivars, along with ‘Freedon Early White’. Enjoy these flowers throughout the winter as stunning centerpieces or complementary flowers to solid colors. 

‘Cortez Burgundy’

‘Cortez Burgundy’ cultivars are some of the most brilliantly colored poinsettias on the market. Their bracts look like bright red oak leaves framed with dark green foliage. As they mature, they get deeper in color. 

Plant these incredibly vivid flowers near your Christmas tree or holiday decorations to liven up your indoor spaces. Because of their dark ruby color, they look amazing planted next to hardwood furniture and antiques. 

Be aware that they can lose their brilliant colors early. They are also sensitive to warm temperatures, so keep them away from heaters, fireplaces, or hot kitchens.

‘Superba New Glitter’

‘Superba New Glitter’ varieties have a striking V shape and dark green foliage. Their bracts become dark ruby red with star-like flecks of white and cream. It’s hard to find a more festive-looking flowering houseplant. 

They are long-lasting and popular glitter varieties. Grow these novelty cultivars near your Christmas tree in hanging containers or dining tables as centerpieces. They bring a flood of holiday colors to any indoor space. 

‘J’adore Soft Pink’

For soft pink houseplants that break away from the Hallmark-movie red, green, and white, try growing J’adore Soft Pink varieties. These lovely flowers produce soft pink bracts with beautiful green leaves and striking V shapes. 

They are easy to maintain and look incredible when planted near darker solid colors. Grow them near yellow varieties for a spring-like vibe. They look amazing matched with ‘Plum Pudding’ varieties, especially if you want to brighten up your home for spring. 

‘Christmas Mouse’

It’s hard to imagine a more adorable flower than the ‘Christmas Mouse’ varieties. These compact cultivars have bracts that are round like tiny red mouse ears. They grow well in small spaces, adding a touch of holiday cuteness to your room, kitchen, or hallway. 

These small varieties need a little more humidity to thrive. Try growing them near a window in an open bathroom or in your kitchen. 

‘Pink Champagne’

‘Pink Champagne’ cultivars are long-lasting and elegant. Their bracts are soft pink, similar to Champagne rose wine. If you love celebrating the holidays in style, it’s hard to find a better flower to complement the festivities. 

Many gardeners use these varieties as New Year’s decorations. Grow them with yellow, purple, and white varieties for celebratory bouquets. They will last several years if you take care of them. 

‘Holly Berry’

For the ultimate holiday varieties, try growing ‘Holly Berry’ poinsettias. Their bracts resemble the leaves of holly trees, some of the most Christmas-themed plants on the planet. These cultivars have dense branches and bright red bracts that concentrate into colorful clusters.