Caring for Poinsettias

The poinsettia has been a symbol of the Christmas season since 1825 when Joel Robert Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, introduced the Mexican Christmas plant in this country. People give them as gifts to friends and family every year. Somehow, the charm of these crimson (and sometimes pink and white) Christmas blooms never seems to fade. But poinsettias will wilt, if you don’t take proper care of them. You can order beautiful artificial poinsettia plants in your favorite color—red, pink, or white—or you can follow these steps to keep your live poinsettia growing strong all throughout the year.

Watering:

The soil of your poinsettia plant should never be dry to the touch. Check it each day to make sure moisture is maintained. Water the soil until water runs out of the container drain. Discard the extra water from your plant tray or saucer. Your poinsettia should not stand in water, because the roots could be damaged.

Recommended Watering by Pot Size

Diameter             Ounces

4”                          6

5”                          9

6”                          12

7”                          16

8”                          20

 

Note: If you live in a sunny, dry climate, your poinsettia will require more frequent watering. If you plant is wilting, water it the recommended amount, and repeat five minutes later.

Light:

Keep your poinsettia near a sunny window during the daytime, facing east, south, or west. Do not let the plant touch the window pane, as the cold surface could damage your poinsettia. During the fall and winter, the plant should be stored in complete darkness overnight, which we’ll discuss in greater depth later.

Temperature:

During the day, your poinsettia should be kept at a room temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. If possible, move it to a cooler spot at night, but don’t keep it in a room below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as this could cause root rot. Avoid hot or cold drafts, too.

Fertilization:

You don’t need to fertilize your poinsettia while it’s in bloom during the holidays. But six to eight weeks after Christmas, you should start. Use an all-purpose household plant fertilizer mixed to half-strength to keep your poinsettia greenery and colors vibrant. Repeat after another six to eight weeks.

Reflowering, Month by Month:

February: Your poinsettia may start to fade. Keep it near a sunny window.

April: trim poinsettia stems back to 6” above the soil.

May: Begin regular fertilization. Use one teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of water, every third watering.

June: Check roots to see if they’re growing too large for the existing pot. If necessary, repot in a larger container with high-quality potting soil. Begin fertilizing every second time you water your poinsettia.

Mid-August: Keep your poinsettia indoors, in direct sunlight. Cut the stems back, leaving three to four leaves per stem. Continuing watering and fertilizing.

Mid-Sept.-Dec. 1: Keep your poinsettia in direct sunlight from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then store it in complete darkness (in a closet or a light-tight box) from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. By the Christmas season, your poinsettia should be flowering quite nicely!

However, poinsettias maintained in your home might not look picture-perfect, like those raised in professional greenhouses and sold in the store. If you want poinsettia perfection, or just want to avoid the hassle of keeping one alive for 12 months, check out these fantastic silk poinsettias for your home.