Poinsettia Plant Care Tips

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Poinsettia plant care is easy with the knowledge of a few helpful tips.

These can be quite helpful since Poinsettias are an iconic symbol of the holiday season.

Ironically, they are tropical plants, so for those of us living in cold climates, we need to be mindful when transporting them.

They are a great way to bring a little bit of greenery and color into your home and office during the holiday season.

Whether you decorate your home with Poinsettias or give them as a gift, I hope you will enjoy their unique beauty this Christmas.

 

Tips for Buying Poinsettias:

• Poinsettias are sold at almost any retailer; however, a local garden center will have the latest varieties, unique colors, and sizes. For instance, there are mini poinsettias, tree poinsettias, and many other beautiful options that a mass retailer doesn’t offer.

 

 

• Select poinsettias that are full, well-rounded, and vibrant. I like to pull a few out of the group and look at them individually to find the best ones!

 

• Poinsettias are prone to whitefly. It is a pest that lives on the underside of the leaves. If you see white “flies” in the air when you move the plants, do not buy from that store! Whitefly will spread to your other indoor plants. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this situation! To learn more about whitefly click here.

 

• Poinsettias are tropical plants (native to Mexico), so if the outside temperatures are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, have the retailer provide a bag that will cover the entire plant. This will help protect the plant from cold damage when leaving the store.

• Also, don’t leave a poinsettia in a car while continuing to shop. Depending on how cold the temperatures are, it could suffer damage or freeze.

Poinsettia Care Tips:

• Poinsettias like to be moist, but not water-logged and it is better that they don’t dry out or wilt. I recommend allowing the soil surface to dry before watering. The best way to determine this is by placing your finger about an inch into the soil surface. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. One of the main causes of Poinsettia’s decline is overwatering.

 

• The best way to water is to remove the decorative pot covering and place the plant in a utility sink and pour water through the pot until it runs out of the drain holes. Repeat this twice or until the soil feels moist. It’s important to allow all of the water to drain through the pot before replacing the pot cover. Poinsettias don’t like sitting in water and this will cause a rapid decline. Also, note that pot covers are not waterproof and water can leak through on furniture, etc.

• Place poinsettias in a room that is used often. That is the best way to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of light and warmth. Since they are tropical, they will look better if placed away from cold windows and doorways. Also, note that they don’t like to be in the path of a draft whether it’s cold or warm air.

 

• Poinsettias are seasonal plants and I don’t recommend keeping them year-round unless you love a gardening challenge! Don’t feel bad about throwing them away after the holiday season. They are grown for a specific purpose and pleasure.