Why you should get familiar with the ‘Papagena’ Poinsettia
A fresh take on a Christmas classic
If you’re looking for a new take on Poinsettia, this is it!
Italian breeders Lazzeri, whom I visited earlier this year, have introduced a really fun new Poinsettia named ‘Papagena,’ a nod to a character from Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute (and also the German word for parrot, which is pertinent as Lazzeri is based in Italy!) Notably, The Magic Flute is a much-loved opera within Montessori education for its lively, flamboyant and colourful characters, and other sensory aspects. Drawing inspiration from the opera’s playful and romantic love interest Papagena, this variety of Poinsettia has a head turning look that distinguishes it from the traditional red cultivars that dominate the festive season - it even stands out amongst the slightly rarer pink and white Poinsettias.
Unlike classic crimson Poinsettias, ‘Papagena’ offers a palette of creamy white and blush pink bracts. The unique colour combination lends itself to year-round appeal, making ‘Papagena’ not only a festive decoration but also a nice addition to homes outside of Christmas.
Of course, throughout December - and a little bit of November if you like to put your decs up early - it’s a refreshing alternative for those looking to add a little something extra to their seasonal décor!
What consumers love about it
While ‘Papagena’ fits beautifully into the Christmas season with its fun and festive colouration, it has year-round decorative potential.
Its ‘rhubarb and custard’ colour palette makes it suitable for spring and summer flower arrangements or as a contemporary houseplant. Consumers looking for a break from traditional Christmas colours may find in ‘Papagena’ a fresh choice that bridges the seasons.
Key features for growers and retailers
‘Papagena’ has many practical benefits that make it a standout choice for growers and retailers:
Impressive bract display
Medium to large bracts densely cover the plant, ensuring a full and attractive display. The high volume of bracts provides excellent visual appeal for shop displays and consumer sales.
Vigorous vegetation and structure
The variety has a healthy, rounded form and demonstrates top branching even under challenging conditions, guaranteeing a robust and uniform plant.
Adaptable sizing
Suitable for a range of pot sizes, from smaller 6cm pots to larger 15cm containers, offering flexibility for growers and mass production.
Reliability in cultivation
‘Papagena’ is easy to cultivate, providing predictable and regular growth with outstanding uniformity. Its resilience after sale ensures customers will enjoy a long-lasting plant, enhancing its marketability.
Optimal growth characteristics
The plant requires minimal intervention with growth regulators and can handle close spacing in cultivation. For growers, this simplifies the process and reduces resource input.
Cultivation and care tips
To achieve the most vivid colours, growers can take advantage of lower temperatures around 15°C, which intensify the pink hues of the bracts. ‘Papagena’ tolerates dense cultivation well but should not be spaced too early, and careful pinching is required to maximise its branching potential.
This is a new direction in Poinsettia breeding! This variety is set to capture the interest of growers and consumers alike, making it a promising addition to the market from Lazzeri! Papagena will be available to buy from next year.