How do the leaves of poinsettia plants turn red?

Ian so excited that I have kept my poinsettia alive from last christmas! I have procrastinated on learning how to get the leaves red again, and bummed that they won't be red for christmas. But, I can have a red plant for Valentine's day! read more

Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. It is actually the plant’s leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the leaves from green to red (or pink, white, and other shade variations). read more

The anthocyanidins absorb light in both the visible and ultraviolet areas of the spectrum, and are responsible for the shades of red, pink, mauve, purple, and blue found mostly in flower petals and fruit, and in some leaves and modified leaves, such as those of poinsettias. read more