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Care Tips For Poinsettias

Dec 03, 2021

Here’s how to keep your poinsettia vibrant and healthy over the holidays.

In Canada, over 4.70 million potted poinsettias were produced in 2020!

No tropical plant quite says the holidays like a poinsettia. But how do you keep them alive until Christmas dinner?

The elegant star-shaped leaf bracts are also known as Flowers of the Holy Night in Mexico and Christmas Stars in other languages.

Poinsettias often have a reputation for being hard to take care of. Here are some tips to help you grow a poinsettia as long as possible - perhaps long enough to have it bloom again next year.

How To Choose A Poinsettia

When choosing a poinsettia, look for ones that do not have damaged leaves or stems, is watered, and have some unopened buds (A healthy poinsettia will have intact bracts (the little yellow buds). You’ll also want to avoid poinsettias that are near automatic doors as the cold damage can affect plants and drop leaves. When you leave the store, make sure the poinsettia is covered and protected from winds. Never leave it in your car for an extended period of time.

Keep Poinsettias Hydrated

Avoid letting your poinsettia dry out or be drenched. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which will cause a dead plant. If you notice the leaves are yellowing or falling off, you may be overwatering. If you notice the leaves drying up, it’s time to water the plant with a cup or two of water (depending on how big the container is). Another tip is to list the pot - if it feels light it could need a good soak with room temperature water.

Proper Sunlight and Temperature

Poinsettias like warmth and indirect sunlight (bright, direct sunlight can burn the leaves). To extend the longevity, don’t place near fireplaces, open doorways, or in front of open windows.

Encourage Reblooming

With proper care, poinsettias can stay beautiful for months. If you want to try to coax the plant back to reblooming, let it dry out gradually in early spring. Water just enough to keep the stem from shriveling and in a room that is around 15°C.

In mid-may, prune the stems four inches high and re-pot into a container that is a few inches larger. Place in a warmer location with consistent sunlight and resume watering.

When you begin to notice growth, fertilize every two weeks with a complete fertilizer.

From mid to late summer, you can pinch back the stems.

To show colour poinsettias need ten weeks of 12 hours or less sunlight. If you’re aiming to have them re-bloom around the holidays, keep the plant in darkness from 5:00 pm to 8:00 am the first week of October.

You may like these DIY wreath ideas and finding a local Christmas tree farm.

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