Wyevale Garden Centres have predicted that six poinsettias a minute will be sold in their 143 stores across the country in the run-up to Christmas.

The traditional Christmas favourite has enjoyed a revival in recent years, with Wyevale expecting it to be the bestselling indoor plant of the year.

“The poinsettia is the quintessential Christmas plant,” said Sarah Fuller, marketing director at Wyevale Garden Centres. “It is the only plant sold in complete perfection. All other plants are sold before their development process is finished. But the poinsettia is sold at its most beautiful and in full bloom – one of the reasons our customers love to give and receive one as a gift during the festive season and its ever-increasing popularity.”

Originating from Mexico, the exotic red-leaved plant is best grown in cooler climates, with UK nurseries equipped to grow hardier plants that last beyond the festive season and are easier to care for than imported ones.

“Our expert horticulturists grow our poinsettias in state-of-the-art computer controlled greenhouses based at our Woodlands Nurseries near Leicester,” added Sarah.

“It takes eight weeks for their bracts to turn from green to red – with careful handling they are in full bloom by the time they hit the shelves – perfect for spreading a little brightness during the dull winter months.”

Jamie Downes, Wyevale Garden Centres nursery manager, said: ‘The delivery of the poinsettias into our garden centres is when we know Christmas really has arrived. Every year we see an increase in demand for the poinsettia as shoppers are looking for that something extra to add to the decoration of their homes during the festive season.”

Here are Jamie’s top poinsettia care tips:

1. Make your poinsettia the last purchase of the day - they don’t like sitting for hours in a cold car.

2. Ask for your plant to be completely wrapped in paper all the way up to the top of the foliage.

3. Once home, position it somewhere warm and out of cold draughts.

4. The biggest mistake people make is moving them between hot and cold temperatures too quickly, so keep its environment constant.

5. Let the compost dry out between watering - they don’t like sitting in water.

6. Feed once a week with houseplant fertiliser.

7. Trim the plant down by half in June and pot into multi-purpose compost.

8. From the end of September, make sure it has plenty of natural light - if it’s dark outside though, the plant needs to be in the dark too in order for it to develop its red leaves.

Facts on poinsettias:

1. There are many different types of poinsettias. This year’s top varieties are: Infinity Red, Infinity Polar, Pink Cadillac, Lipstick Pink and Premium Marble.

2. The vast majority - 80% - of poinsettias sold are red. The rest are pink, white and cream.

3. Red poinsettias take eight weeks to turn from green to red – their colour starts to turn at the equinox (22 September).

4. Woodland’s Nursery grows 30,000 poinsettias in state-of-the-art computer controlled greenhouses, across four acres of land.

5. They are available in centres until Christmas Eve.

6. If looked after carefully, they will last until March.

7. Poinsettias have an optimum total height of 32cm.