The Mexica and the Cuetlaxóchitl
The poinsettia, known in Mexico as the flor de nochebuena, is among the country’s most emblematic plants, entwined with centuries of cultural, religious, and political history. Long before it became a global holiday symbol, the poinsettia held profound significance for Indigenous civilizations of Mesoamerica, particularly the Mexica (Aztecs), who cultivated and revered the plant for both ceremonial and practical purposes.
The Mexica called the plant cuetlaxóchitl, loosely translated as “flower that withers,” referencing its delicate bracts. Far from being merely ornamental, cuetlaxóchitl played a role in rituals honoring the gods, including celebrations dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the deity of the winter solstice season. Its vivid red color—produced naturally in response to shorter winter daylight—symbolized life, renewal, and sacrifice. The Mexica also used the plant to produce dyes for textiles and cosmetics, and leveraged its latex for medicinal treatments, including topical applications.
Following the Spanish conquest, the poinsettia became embedded in the liturgical traditions of colonial Mexico. Franciscan friars in the 16th century adopted the plant for Christmas celebrations, integrating its star-shaped bracts into Nativity processions and church decorations. Its blooming period, coinciding with Advent and Christmas, made it an apt botanical companion for newly introduced Christian rituals. Over time, flor de nochebuena became a mainstay of seasonal altars, public ceremonies, and domestic festivities throughout New Spain.
The Renaming and Globalization of the Poinsettia
The poinsettia’s transition from a Mexican cultural artifact to an international holiday emblem began in the early 19th century. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico and an avid botanist, encountered the plant during his diplomatic tenure in the 1820s. Struck by its ornamental potential, he sent cuttings back to the United States, where horticulturists began propagating it. Although the plant had been admired locally for centuries, this act of transnational botanical exchange positioned the poinsettia for global recognition. Its English name, derived from Poinsett, cemented this connection and overshadowed its far older Indigenous lineage.
Throughout the 20th century, Mexico continued to cultivate the poinsettia both as an agricultural product and a symbol of national identity. The plant is celebrated annually on December 8, designated as National Poinsettia Day in the United States but also observed informally in Mexican horticultural circles. Modern breeding programs in states such as Morelos, Puebla, and Michoacán have expanded the range of poinsettia varieties, reinforcing the plant’s economic and cultural importance.
The Legend of the “Poinsettia Girl”
In Mexico, one of the most enduring Christmas folktales is the story of a poor young girl named Pepita who longed to bring a gift to the Christ Child during the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. According to the legend, she watched as other children carried candles, fruits, and beautifully woven offerings to place before the nativity scene. She had nothing of value—nothing she felt was worthy—and her heart ached with embarrassment and sadness. As she stood outside the church in tears, an angel (or, in some versions, a kind older villager) appeared and gently reminded her that any gift given with love was precious in the eyes of God.
Moved by the message, the girl gathered a humble handful of roadside weeds—wild, green, and seemingly unremarkable. Although she felt shy and uncertain, she carried them into the church and laid them quietly at the foot of the manger. As the congregation prayed, the weeds suddenly transformed. Their leaves deepened into vivid, star-shaped bursts of brilliant red. Gasps spread among the worshippers as the plain stalks became radiant flowers, glowing like crimson flames in the candlelight. The miracle affirmed that sincerity and love, not wealth or appearance, give a gift its true worth.
From that night forward, the transformed weeds were called Flores de Nochebuena—Flowers of the Holy Night—and became tied forever to the Christmas season in Mexico. The “Poinsettia Girl” became a symbol of pure intention and humble devotion, reminding generations that small acts offered with genuine heart can create unexpected beauty. Though the tale has many variations across regions, its message endures: sometimes the simplest gift becomes the most miraculous.
Today, the poinsettia remains a potent symbol of Mexican heritage. It embodies the convergence of Indigenous knowledge, colonial adaptation, and international dissemination. Whether displayed in a rural village procession, a Mexico City cathedral, or a holiday window halfway around the world, the poinsettia’s crimson bracts represent a living history of the people and traditions that shaped it.