Poinsettia Pointers
Pick it Out
Poinsettias are a popular holiday plant.
Avoid plants that appear wilted or neglected.
Look for signs of insects and avoid those plants.
For the longest-lasting color, check to see if the flowers (the small, golden “centers” of what are actually the brightly colored leaves of the plant, not the flower petals) are still on the plant. These fade and drop off as the plant ages.
Avoid plants sold with a plastic or paper “sleeve” that wraps around the pot and plant; these damage the foliage.
Take it Home
In our area, freezing December temperatures are not unusual. If the weather is cold, you’ll need to protect your poinsettia on the way home. This is the time when it’s appropriate to “sleeve” the poinsettia with a wrapper of plastic or paper…but avoid long exposure to cold even if the plant is wrapped, because a chilled or frozen plant will drop leaves very quickly.
Give it What it Needs
With proper care, your poinsettia will last through the holiday season and keep going strong well into the new year. Pay attention to these tips, and your poinsettia will reward you.
Place it in a room where there is sufficient natural light t read fine print…but not where the sun will shine directly on the plant.
Avoid hot or cold drafts or excess heat from appliances, radiators, or ventilating ducts.
Place the plant high enough to be away from traffic and out of the reach of young children or animals.
Set the plant on a waterproof container to protect your furniture.
Water the plant thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch. Remember to discard excess water from the saucer or foil wrapping.
To prolong color, keep temperatures between 72° in the daytime and 60° at night.
Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
While it’s widely believed that poinsettias are poisonous, they ARE NOT lethal or even particularly toxic to either children or pets. However, we can almost guarantee that anyone eating poinsettia (or any houseplant for that matter) will regret it because of stomach discomfort, and sensitive individuals may develop a skin rash from the milky sap. That’s why we urge you to keep children and pets away from houseplants. Read more from Poison Control.
Make it re-flower
If you have a green thumb, you may want to try your hand at re-flowering your poinsettia next year. If you follow these directions carefully, you may have your poinsettia in flower by Christmas. If not, relax: we’ll have plenty!
December: Full bloom—water as needed
February: Color fades—keep near a sunny window, fertilize when new growth appears. Cut stems back to about 8”.
June 1: Repot if necessary. Can be placed in light shade outdoors.
Late August: Take it inside—cut stems back, leaving 3-4 inches per shoot. Place in asunny window, and water and fertilize as needed.
September 20-December 1: Keep in lighted area only from 8 AM to 5 PM. Put in total darkness (as in NO light) from 5 PM to 8 AM. Without at least 14 hours of total darkness at this point, the bracts will not develop color for the winter. THIS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.