Christmas Mouse Poinsettia Is a Cute, Quirky Variety
We love its rounded bracts and leaves.
With their bright and festive flowers, poinsettias have long been the go-to plant for indoor decorating at the winter holidays and for sharing as a host or hostess gift. Everyone knows a poinsettia when they see one, but there are certain varieties that stand out among the rest. Christmas Mouse is one of those special poinsettias. An award-winner in Europe, this variety has rounded bracts and leaves, rather than the pointed kind that most poinsettias have. The rounded shapes of the Christmas Mouse poinsettia give it a softer look.
Common name: Christmas Mouse poinsettia
Botanical name: Euphorbia pulcherrima Christmas Mouse
Exposure: Bright indoor light
Flowers: The colorful structures on the poinsettia flower are bracts—modified leaves—not petals. (The true flowers are the golden-green knobs at the center of the bracts.) Christmas Mouse has rounded bracts, while other poinsettias' bracts come to a point at the tip. The bracts inspired this variety's name—they are shaped like mouse ears. Christmas Mouse poinsettia can be found in both red and pink.
Foliage: The leaves are deep green and round in shape. Again, this makes Christmas Mouse poinsettia unique, because other varieties have pointed leaves.
Size and habit: Christmas Mouse poinsettia can reach 18 to 24 inches tall and wide, although smaller plants can be found for sale. This poinsettia has good branching that creates a full display of leaves topped with a dome of flowers.
Origin: The species Euphorbia pulcherrima is native to Mexico and Central America. The cultivar Christmas Mouse was first introduced in Europe. It entered the US market in 2021.
How to grow it: Keeping in mind its tropical origins, always protect poinsettia from drafts and cold temperatures. Water when the top inch or two of potting mix feels dry. Water thoroughly. However, be sure the container has drainage holes and that the poinsettia doesn't remain sitting in excess water. Avoid fertilizing poinsettia while it is in bloom. This plant enjoys more humidity than most homes offer in winter, so follow steps to increase the moisture in the air surrounding it.
Related: "Increase Humidity for Houseplants"
Many people discard a poinsettia after the holidays, but with special varieties like Christmas Mouse, you may want to keep it. If so, continue with the above general care until the days begin to lengthen in spring and temperatures rise. The plant will likely respond with increased growth, which may require more frequent watering. Spring is the time to prune poinsettia by snipping stems back to a leaf joint, which will encourage further branching. (Like other euphorbias, poinsettias bleed white sap that can irritate the skin, so wear gloves.) You can repot the plant and begin regular feeding now, too.
Carry on with this care through the summer (during which time poinsettia can sit outside in a spot receiving morning sun). Before nighttime temperatures fall below 60˚(F), bring it back inside. To encourage blooming, place the poinsettia where it will receive just 14 hours of total darkness at night—similar to the treatment for Christmas cactus. For a chance at colorful bracts in time for the holidays, begin this process by early to mid-October.
Images courtesy of BallHort
