Poinsettia Care

Not many people choose to keep their Poinsettia alive after the holidays. But if you’re a green thumb like me, keeping plants alive is a hobby.  Here are some simple instructions to keep your Poinsettia alive and healthy.

LIGHTING: Poinsettia’s prefer bright indirect light. The south or east facing windows are best for this.

TEMPERATURE: Poinsettia’s prefer 65-75 degrees and do not like cool air, drafts, or breezes. Touching the window in a cold region can cause leaf damage. Drafts can cause plant to die early.

WATERING: Poinsettia’s need to have good drainage and be well watered. Take the plastic wrap off your plant as soon as you get it home. Only allow the top portion of the soil to dry out through March. You may have to water daily or mist it daily to keep it happy.

About APRIL start allowing soil to completely dry between watering. If your plant has a stem that starts to shrivel, it is stressed out. After two weeks of decreasing the watering, your plant should be acclimated to reduced watering schedule and it is time to move it to a dark, cool location: 60 degrees, like a garage or basement.

*Continue watering when soil gets dry and watch for new growth. When new growth appears, add an all in one fertilizer to the water.

In MAY, about one month after moved to dark, cool location: cut stems back 4 inches and repot in slightly larger container with new potting soil.

During JUNE, move Poinsettia outside to a partially shaded area.

In JULY, cut stems back again so they will not get tall and spindly. This also trains stems to grow strong.

In AUGUST, move plant back indoors continuing with water/fertilizer schedule. Do this until

OCTOBER 1: In order to get your Poinsettia to bloom around Christmas time, you need to help modify the light. Either move Poinsettia to a closet or set a box over it from 5pm – 8am. Continue this treatment till the last week of November when you can allow the Poinsettia to be by South/East facing window till Christmas. Quit fertilizing about two weeks before Christmas.

Enjoy!