When South Carolinian Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, introduced the poinsettia to the United States in 1825, it's doubtful he had any idea how popular this plant would become. Plant breeders have produced cultivars with many other colors besides the traditional red bracts, or modified leaves.
Plants are available with white, pink, peach, yellow, marbled and speckled bracts.
The actual flowers of the poinsettia plant are the small, yellow blossoms in the center of the colorful bracts. Look for plants with fully mature, thoroughly colored bracts. Select plants with an abundance of dark, rich green foliage all the way down the stem. The leaves and bracts should not be drooping. Look for plants that are balanced, full and attractive from all sides.