Posted: December 16, 2025
On a frigid December day, the Poinsettia industry descended upon Cresco, Iowa, for Poinsettia Variety Day. With double digit negative temperatures outside, guests found the greenhouses warm, inviting, and colorful. For the commercial Poinsettia industry this trial has become a must-attend event. Trial attendees viewed 223 varieties. Hosted on Thursday, December 4th, representatives from all Poinsettia breeding companies, along with growers, retailers, brokers, and allied trades were in attendance. Breeders presented on their top introductions, with Mike Poretsky of A-ROO discussed value-added upgrade treatments and packaging. Additionally, Caleb Wilson of Syngenta Professional Solutions held a training on proper drench application techniques.
Genetics were submitted by Beekenkamp, Dummen Orange, Graff, InBlume, Lazzeri, Rinehart Poinsettias, Selecta One, and Suntory Flowers. Plantpeddler is licensed by all breeders represented and prides itself on being a one-stop shop for premium Poinsettia liners.
The Plantpeddler Poinsettia Trial and Variety Day event emphasizes their commitment to the industry, by showcasing genetics under northern USA growing conditions. As a leading young plant provider, this event represents an investment in the success of their retail, grower, broker, and breeding partners. A commercial production trial of Poinsettias is an important way for the industry and growers to evaluate variety performance, improve their selections, and therefore increase profitability. Another commitment of Plantpeddler is to educate growers on best practices in the horticulture industry.
At Poinsettia Variety Day a blind vote was conducted to determine the 2025 Best of Class White – 5 Year Challenge. This contest pitted the five top finishing white varieties in the Non-Red class over the past five years. The varieties were Jack Frost, Alaska, Pure White, Alpina and Brilliant White. In a close competition, Brilliant White garnered the winning vote count. Congratulations to Selecta on winning this prestigious award for the second year in a row.
2025 Best of Class White – 5 Year Challenge
| Variety | Breeder | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| A | Jack Frost | Rinehart Poinsettias | #1 | #5 | #2 | #7 | |
| B | Alaska | Lazzeri | #2 | #4 | |||
| C | Pure White | Rinehart Poinsettias | #9 | #3 | #9 | ||
| D | Alpina | Lazzeri | #8 | #8 | #10 | ||
| E | Brilliant White | Selecta One | #6 | #7 |
Best of Class White – 5 Year Challenge Winner: Brilliant White bred by Selecta One.
Again, this year, “non-traditional” novelty varieties ranked at the top of the trial in both the Red and Non-Red categories. This reflects the industry’s drive to keep innovating this holiday classic to stimulate consumer interest and sales. Congratulations also go out to all the winning varieties. For the Poinsettia Variety Day Video: click here or go to URL: youtu.be/j98WseKWudU?si=Swr-7YX0mqH2Znn9.
Red Variety Top 10
| Rank | Variety | Breeder | Color | Timing | Vigor | Habit |
| 1 | Red Ribbons | Dümmen Orange | Red | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 2 | Astro Burgundy (PON 207) | Beekenkamp | Burgundy | 7.5 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 3 | FabYULEous Red | Dümmen Orange | Red | 8 | Low-medium | V-Shaped |
| 4 | Christmas Royale (SK 222) | Selecta One | Red | 7.5-8 | Medium-high | Narrow |
| 5 | Robyn Red | Beekenkamp | Red | 7 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 6 | Tapestry | Dümmen Orange | Red | 8.5 | Low | Narrow |
| 7 | Timeless Red | InBlume | Red | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 8 | Kayla Red | Beekenkamp | Red | 7 | Low-medium | V-Shaped |
| 9 | Christmas Morning | Selecta One | Red | 7.5 | Low-medium | Narrow |
| 10 | Christmas Wish Red | Selecta One | Red | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
1. Red Ribbons, Dummen Orange, Red
2. Astro Burgundy (PON 207), Beekenkamp, Burgundy
3. FabYULEous Red, Dummen Orange, Red
4. Christmas Royale (SK 222), Selecta One, Red
5. Robyn Red, Beekenkamp, Red
6. Tapestry, Dummen Orange, Red
7. Timeless Red, InBlume, Red
8. Kayla Red, Beekenkamp, Red
9. Christmas Morning, Selecta One, Red
10. Christmas Wish Red, Selecta One, Red
Non-Red Variety Top 10
| Rank | Variety | Breeder | Color | Timing | Vigor | Habit |
| 1 | Ice Punch | Dümmen Orange | Crystal Type – Red/Apricot | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 2 | Sky Fantasy | Selecta One | Novelty Sky – Red | 7.5-8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 3 | SK 274 (White) | Selecta One | White | 8 | Medium-high | V-Shaped |
| 4 | Papagena | Lazzeri | Novelty AVG Type | 8 – 8.5 | Medium-high | Narrow |
| 5 | Alpina White | Lazzeri | White | 7.5-8 | Medium | Wide |
| 6 | Qismas White | Graff Breeding | White | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 7 | Superba New Glitter | Lazzeri | Glitter Red/White | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 8 | Moni White | Dümmen Orange | White | 8 | Medium-high | V-Shaped |
| 9 | Biancaneve White | Lazzeri | White | 7.5 | Medium | V-Shaped |
| 10 | Christmas Beauty Prince | Selecta One | Crystal Type – Lt Pk/Dk Pk | 8 | Medium | V-Shaped |
1. Ice Punch, Dummen Orange, Crystal Type – Red/Apricot
2. Sky Fantasy, Selecta One, Novelty Sky – Red
3. SK 274 (White), Selecta One, White
4. Papagena, Lazzeri, Novelty AVG Type
5. Alpina White, Lazzeri, White
6. Qismas White, Graff Breeding, White
7. Superba New Glitter, Lazzeri, Glitter Red/White
8. Moni White, Dummen Orange, White
9. Biancaneve White, Lazzeri, White
10. Christmas Beauty Prince, Selecta One, Crystal Type – Lt Pk/Dk Pk
Plantpeddler extends a sincere thank-you to all the breeders and Vivero for helping make this trial possible. Thank you to Syngenta Professional Solutions, A-ROO, Oasis, and BioTherm for supporting sponsorship of Poinsettia Variety Day. Also, thank you to the team at Plantpeddler for producing an outstanding trial and event.
Mark your calendars now for next year’s Plantpeddler Poinsettia Variety Day trial event on Thursday, December 3, 2026. Plantpeddler’s Variety Day trial event showcasing Annuals is August 7, 2026. Please make plans to attend both events.
Best of Class – 5 Year Challenge Winner: Brilliant White and Selecta One Team with Mike and John Gooder
Poinsettia Trial and Variety Day 2025
Poinsettia Trial and Variety Day 2025
Poinsettia Trial and Variety Day 2025
Flag Worthy Variety
Poinsettia Variety Red and White Overview