A lot of novelty reds placed in this year’s competition, like this ‘Red Ribbons’ from Dümmen Orange. | Plantpeddler
There’s a lot of cool stuff going on with poinsettias, but many consumers never really see it unless they go into their independent garden centers, according to Plantpeddler President Mike Gooder.
“There are great things going on in poinsettia breeding. We’ve created so much more diversity in poinsettias, especially in the last five to 10 years. Unfortunately, as an industry, we don’t support enough of that novelty that piques people’s interest. That’s the stuff inspiring the non-traditional poinsettia buyer to purchase a poinsettia. They think their grandmother’s poinsettia was red, and if all they see in the stores is red poinsettias, it’s kind of like an Easter Lily [no offense to our lily breeders!]. They don’t associate it with young, fun, and cool,” says Gooder.
To keep it fresh, Plantpeddler upgrades nearly two-thirds of its poinsettia crop with paint and glitter, and then it does some super high-end bling glitz shimmers, and really intense colors.
“It’s nutso what we do,” Gooder says. “Why? Because we have found that there’s an audience that wants that Christmas bling. And that isn’t your traditional red poinsettia buyer who is going to go to a superstore. It helps our retailers find separation in the marketplace.”
“I fully believe the greenhouse industry needs to become more diverse — and that we have better revenue streams on a year-round basis available for growers — so we’re not so dependent on the spring cycle,” says Gooder. “Poinsettias have become much easier to produce, which is one reason small and mid-sized growers should consider putting them back in their mix.”
“We have a vigor, habit, and timing to match every market from early season to end of season,” says Stacy Bryant, Plantpeddler Sales Manager of Marketing and Trials. “We have tons of good reds, but we have an amazing array of novelties now available. If growers are looking for a second or third opportunity to run a crop cycle through that can help cover overhead and drive more revenue into their operations, poinsettias are a good option.”
When asked what excites Gooder about the floriculture industry, he enthusiastically replies with a big smile, “All of it! I’m overly passionate about this industry, and I’m glad to be a part of it. It’s afforded me lots of opportunity.”
If you want to get a flavor of what Plantpeddler is all about, check out their website at Plantpeddler.com. And mark your calendar for July 31 and Aug. 1, 2025, to help them celebrate 45 years in business and experience hospitality. First up on Thursday is their award-winning Educate the Educators program that represents five states, where they teach teachers how to run a high school greenhouse. That evening will be a 45th-anniversary celebration, and then on Friday is Plantpeddler Variety Day. Like Gooder says, “It’s all fun.”
