Poinsettia Care
- Light. Poinsettia do best when placed in bright, diffused sunlight, so place your plant near a sunny window where it...
- Soil. While poinsettias are typically purchased already potted from a garden center or nursery, if you're planting (or...
- Water. Water your poinsettia whenever the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Saturate the soil completely until...
How do you take care of poinsettia plants?
- The sticky white sap can cause a skin rash, so gloves are recommended when working with these plants.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
- Wash tools well after use as the sap can make tools sticky.
Do poinsettias like a lot of Sun?
Yes. Poinsettias are tropical plants and love sunlight. During winter, poinsettias love bright, filtered sunlight. However, to achieve re-blooming, poinsettias must have an 8 to 10 week period of long, dark nights. With the arrival of fall, put a box over your plant or place it in a dark closet every night from around 5PM to 8AM.
How to make poinsettias rebloom as houseplants?
- Reduce watering of your plant, but do not let the stems shrivel. ...
- In the spring, after all frost danger has passed, cut the poinsettia back to 6-8 inches in height and repot the plant into a bigger pot. ...
- As the plant grows, pinch the new growth to keep the plant compact and bushy. ...
How to keep your poinsettias alive until Christmas?
How To Keep Your Christmas Poinsettia Alive . 1. Keep your Poinsettia Cosy. Poinsettias don’t like fluctuating temperatures or to be near a draft (like most of us really) They much prefer a steady room temperature between 18 and 25 C. Poinsettias need warmth and light, so being close to a radiator shouldn’t be a problem.
How do you keep a poinsettia alive indoors?
Keep poinsettias near the sunniest window in your house so they get adequate light. Poinsettias like plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so don't place them directly in the sun, next to a heater or near a drafty window.
How often should you water potted poinsettia?
about once a weekWater the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.
How long will potted poinsettias last?
two to three monthsIf cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for two to three months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?
To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.
Why do poinsettia leaves fall off?
Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.
Do you water poinsettias from top or bottom?
Water your poinsettia plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Thoroughly moisten the soil to the point that water is draining from the bottom of the growing pot.
How do you get a poinsettia to turn red again?
To coax a poinsettia plant to bloom again, it's necessary to repeat the poinsettia life cycle. After the holidays and once blooming has ceased, limit the amount of watering so the plant can go dormant until spring. Then, usually around March or April, regular watering can be resumed and fertilizing can begin.
How do you get a poinsettia to rebloom?
How to Get Poinsettias to RebloomPrune your poinsettia plant. ... Fertilize the poinsettia every two weeks. ... Repot the plant in warmer months. ... Transport your plant outdoors. ... Pinch to encourage side branching. ... Place the poinsettia in a warm, dark environment. ... Display your poinsettia plant.
Will a poinsettia turn red again?
Poinsettias are a festive classic, a plant famous for its beautiful red bracts that go very well with Christmas decor. And although poinsettias are often bought as annuals, they actually are perennials and will turn red again with the correct care.
Is poinsettia a houseplant?
Yes, you can keep your Christmas poinsettias as houseplants, and you can even get them to bloom again next year.
How do you turn a poinsettia blue?
Poinsettias are not grown from seeds, so there's no chance that a blue seed would produce a blue leaf. "What we do is take a cutting, 12-14 leaves. We take it dip it into a rooting hormone that we direct stick in these pots," he said.
Can you overwater a poinsettia?
Both over- and under-watering cause problems for poinsettias. Over-watering will cause the lower leaves to turn yellow and drop. Over-watered plants may also develop root rots and die.
Do poinsettias need a lot of water?
Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid placing them in drafty areas or where there is excessive heat (a general rule for all of your houseplants), and remember not to place them near a fireplace or on appliances (again, a heat issue).
Do poinsettias need sun or shade?
Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.
Do poinsettias like to be misted?
Remember, poinsettias like humid conditions, so keep them misted if it's in a room where the central heating is on full blast.
When You First Bring Your Poinsettia Home
Light - Place it near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable to a north facing window. Poinsettias are tropicals and wil...
The Bottom Line on Poinsettia's Being Poisonous
For years poinsettias have had the bad reputation of being poisonous. They certainly are not meant to be eaten by humans, pets, or livestock and in...
You Should Still Use Caution When Handling Poinsettias
A more likely problem to watch out for is contact dermatitis. Euphorbias, the plant family that includes poinsettias, exude a milky sap when broken...
Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care
Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-co...
Fertilizing Poinsettia Plants
Fertilizing poinsettia plants is never recommended while they’re still in bloom. Fertilize poinsettias only if keeping them after the holiday seaso...
Poinsettia Care After The Holidays
In spring, return the plant to a sunny area and water well. Cut back all canes (branches) to about 6 inches from the pot’s rim. It may also be a go...
Poinsettia Plant Leaves Are Falling Off
It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily...
How to keep poinsettias in bloom?
To keep your poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. A slight drop in temperature at night will not hurt the plant. However, cold drafts, allowing the leaves to touch a cold window, or more importantly, a lack of adequate light, can injure the leaves and cause premature yellowing and leaf drop. 2
How to repot a poinsettia?
Cut the stems back to about four inches and repot your poinsettia into a slightly larger container filled with new potting soil.
Why are my poinsettias turning brown?
Brown spots form on the plant in various places if it has canker, which might be helped by removing affected portions of the poinsettia. Stems will turn brown or black if the plant has root rot. Remove infected portions of the plant and try to repot the remaining healthier parts in clean soil and clean pots using sterile gardening tools. Apply a fungicide to the plant for protection.
What does it mean when a poinsettia defoliates?
It means that the poinsettia has serious canker or severe root rot from being underwatered, overwatered, or overfertilized. If some leaves are falling, the plant might also need a bit more light.
How to tell if a poinsettia is dying?
Gradually decrease waterings, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Be careful that the stem of your poinsettia does not begin to shrivel—this is a sign the plant is too stressed and is dying. 4
What is a poinsettia plant?
The poinsettia plant is actually a shrub, Its blooms are a cluster of tiny yellow flowers surrounded by large brilliant (usually red) floral bracts, which are modified leaves. Also known as Mexican flameleaf, these plants are forced into bloom in time for the holiday season, and they require specific care to look their best into the new year and beyond.
How much sunlight does a poinsettia need?
Poinsettia do best when placed in bright, diffused sunlight, so place your plant near a sunny window where it will receive at least six to eight hours of diffused light per day. Although the plants can survive with fewer hours of light, they won't be as vigorous or as long-lived . Be aware that exposure to direct sunlight can burn bracts and leaves.
How to care for a poinsettia plant?
In order to encourage blooming, poinsettia plants require long periods of darkness at night ( about 12 hours). Therefore, move the poinsettia to a location where it will not receive any nighttime light or cover it with a box. Allow plenty of light during the day so the plant can absorb enough energy for flowering. Warmer days (65-70 F./18-21 C.) and cooler nights (55-60 F./13-16 C.) are also recommended. Provide semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture once blooming occurs.
How to keep poinsettias dry?
For those choosing to continue with poinsettia care, decrease regular watering to allow the plant to dry out some.
How long do poinsettias last after Christmas?
However, with proper care, your holiday poinsettia should continue to put out blooms, or in the least remain attractive for weeks after.
Why are my poinsettias' leaves falling off?
It’s important to pinpoint the possible cause in the event that your poinsettia plant leaves are falling off, as in some cases, this can be easily fixed. Environmental factors such as warm, dry conditions are most often the reason for leaf drop. Stress can also be a factor.
Do poinsettias need to be watered?
During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture. Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available.
Can you repot a poinsettia?
It may also be a good idea to repot the poinsettia using the same type of soil. While poinsettias can be kept indoors throughout summer, many people choose to move them outdoors in a sunny, but protected, area of the flower garden by sinking the pot into the ground. Either way is fine.
What color are poinsettias?
You can find poinsettias around the holidays to fit into almost any decorative scheme. They range from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red. Some varieties have bracts with patterns in red and white, pink and white, or green and white and even bright orange.
Why do poinsettias turn red?
It is not an easy task, as it requires excluding light from the plant for a period of time while keeping the plant healthy. The reduction in light prevents the plant from producing chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plant parts green. This changes the bracts to red, pink or white, depending on the poinsettia variety.
What are poinsettias made of?
Poinsettia flowers are actually made up of the bracts, which look like petals, and the tiny yellow flowers in the center, called cyathia . The colorful bracts attract insects to the flowers and will drop after pollination. Poinsettias are not harmful to animal or human health. But they should not be eaten.
What are the flowers on poinsettias called?
The colorful “flowers” of poinsettias are actually modified leaves called “bracts.”. Poinsettias grow well in moist soil and temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F. They can be grown outdoors during summer. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but the sap may cause dermatitis.
What does the plus sign mean on a poinsettia?
Plus sign (+) if content is closed, 'X' if content is open. Keep soil moist. Water plant when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, or pot feels lightweight when lifted. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry that they wilt.
How to make a pot garden?
In the garden, plant into a garden bed with well-drained soil that gets 4 to 5 hours of sun per day. Mix in organic matter such as peat moss or compost into the soil.
How to make a plant give all sides even light?
Rotate the plant daily to give all sides even light.
How do poinsettias get their color?
Poinsettias get their color from modified leaves known as bracts.
Where do poinsettias grow?
Poinsettia origins provide great clues about where poinsettias grow best. These tropical "Christmas flowers" are native to Mexico and Guatemala. 1 They flourish with bright light and warm temperatures. Give your poinsettia a warm, draft-free spot with bright light. Typical household temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal.
Why are my poinsettias turning yellow?
Overwatering leads to yellow leaves, while underwatering causes leaves to wilt and drop. Water your poinsettia whenever the surface of its potting mix grows dry to the touch. (Most mixes lighten in color as they start to dry out.) Always dump excess water from the plant's cachepot, saucer or decorative foil covering.
What color are poinsettias in autumn?
Then longer autumn nights trigger flowering and color changes. Poinsettia color occurs as modified leaves, known as bracts, shift from green to holiday hues. Your poinsettia's tiny yellow true flowers lie at the center of the brilliant "blooms.". For the best poinsettia color, take your cue from professional growers.
What is the best potting mix for a plant?
Heavy, soggy soil leads to root rot and other diseases, so choose a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter such as peat moss. This helps retain moisture but still allows excess water to drain freely.
Do wild poinsettias grow in the wild?
In their natural environment, wild poinsettias are large, lanky shrubs, not the compact beauties plant nurseries grow. Timely pruning throughout the growing season helps keep your poinsettia looking its best.
Can you cut poinsettias to make them poisonous?
Whenever you prune your poinsettia, avoid contact with the milky sap that drips from cut or broken stems. Despite folk tales, poinsettias aren't poisonous. But people and pets can have adverse reactions to the sap in leaves and stems — especially if it's ingested. 2.
How do you take care of a poinsettia indoors?
Make sure you give poinsettias lots of indirect light – natural sunlight through a window is best. Keep them away from drafts and heat vents, which can dry out the plant.
What do you do with a poinsettia after it blooms?
'After your poinsettia blooms, continue to water it when the so il starts to look dry, about once a week or so. Add fertilizer once a month to keep the blooms going and the plant healthy.' Recommends Turner.
Are poinsettias toxic to pets?
Fortunately, poinsettias do not pose any serious risk to pets. The milky sap contained in their stems is an irritant, and is likely to cause drooling and vomiting in cats and dogs, but it certainly won't kill or seriously harm your pet.
How to keep poinsettias outside?
If the summer temperature is warm enough and never drops below 65 degrees at night, you may keep the poinsettia outside during the growing season. Place the plant in an area that gets partial shade.
How long do you keep a poinsettia in the pot?
Care for the poinsettia until spring. If you bought the poinsettia during the winter as a decoration, keep the plant in the pot until spring, even if you live in a place with mild winters.
How to propagate poinsettias?
You can take 8 inch (20 cm) cuttings from the soft growing tips of poinsettia stems or 18 inch (45 cm) cuttings from the woody stems of the plant to create new poinsettia. Dip the ends of each cutting into a rooting hormone, then insert it into a pot filled with potting soil or a vermiculite mix.
How to grow a poinsettia plant?
Dig a hole as wide as the poinsettia's root ball and plant the poinsettia. Pat soil gently around the base of the stem. Mulch the area around the base of the plant with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) of organic mulch. This keeps the soil cool and helps it retain moisture. Fertilize the poinsettia.
How to propagate a sage plant?
Encourage dormancy once the flower bracts begin fading. 1 Prune the plants heavily to 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) tall. This is a good time to take cuttings for plant propagation. 2 Cut back on watering for a couple of months until it is time to start new growth in the spring. Allow the top several inches of soil to dry out before watering them.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to turn red?
You must also create a cycle of long uninterrupted nights and short sunny days during the fall and winter to encourage the leaves to change from green to red. Do this for 9 to 10 weeks until flower bracts begin to form on the plant.
How tall do poinsettias grow?
This article has been viewed 208,062 times. Poinsettia plants are native to Mexico, where they can grow up to 16 feet (4.9 m) tall. Many people buy poinsettia plants to decorate for Christmas and aren't sure how to care for them when the red leaves fall away. If you live in a place with mild winters, you can plant the poinsettia outside as ...
How long does it take for a poinsettia to bloom?
Begin keeping your poinsettia in complete darkness for about 12-14 hours from the first part of October until Thanksgiving – or an 8- to 10-week period.
How to stop dark period on a sage plant?
Simply stick it in a closet or cover with a large box every evening and then return the plant to its sunny window during the remainder part of the day . By Thanksgiving, you should be able to stop the dark period altogether, placing the plant in a sunny area for at least six hours daily. Reduce water and fertilizer.
Do poinsettias bloom again after Christmas?
Then, by Christmas, your blooming poinsettia, hopefully, will be the centerpiece of holiday decor and ready to begin the cycle anew. While there’s no guarantee that your poinsettia will bloom again even with the best care, it’s certainly worth a try. Remember, though, that foliage is pretty too. Caring for poinsettia plants after Christmas is ...
