Friday is Poinsettia Day. Here are some creative ways to use this Hothouse Holiday Beauty.

Brought from Mexico to the US in the 1820s by Charlestonian botanist / physician / politician Joel Roberts Poinsett, the poinsettia is the top selling potted plant in all of the US and Canada, and all that selling is basically done in the 6 weeks leading up to Christmas. The most traditional version used in holiday decor has deep red leaves (yes not flowers) but now you can find cream, pink tones and bi-colors. Here are our favorite ways to use them uniquely in your holiday decor this year:

Treat them as you would Cut Flowers.

Just cuz they come in a pot doesn’t mean they have to stay that way.

Use a row of them to create an easy centerpiece.

Then pot later on for elsewhere in the house.

Make a Poinsettia Tree. {here’s a link on Southern Living How To for you Marthas out there}

Or use them to ornament your Greenery.  That you buy already made.  So you can stick some poinsettias in.

Use them as inexpensive holiday flower accents.

They aren’t poisonous to humans, despite the rumors.  Mildly toxic to housepets though.