Poinsettias, with their vibrant colors and festive appearance, are synonymous with the holiday season. Often mistaken for flowers, their colorful parts are actually bracts, modified leaves that bring a splash of color to homes during winter. Native to Mexico and belonging to the Euphorbia family, these plants are not only popular for their beauty but also surprisingly easy to care for if you know the essentials. Whether you’ve received a poinsettia as a gift or are looking to keep one thriving, understanding How Do You Take Care Poinsettias is key to enjoying their beauty year after year.
Understanding Poinsettias
Before diving into the specifics of poinsettia care, let’s understand a bit more about these fascinating plants. Poinsettias are celebrated for their colorful bracts, which come in a range of hues from the classic vibrant red to pink, white, and even patterned varieties. These bracts are not flowers; the actual flowers are the small, yellow structures in the center called cyathia. The bracts’ color change is a photoperiodic response, triggered by the shorter days of winter.
Beyond their decorative appeal, poinsettias are versatile plants. While they are most commonly enjoyed during the holiday season, they can also be grown as attractive green foliage plants throughout the year. It’s also important to address a common misconception: poinsettias are not poisonous. While not toxic, their milky sap can cause skin irritation in some individuals, and ingestion is not recommended.
Poinsettia Varieties and Colors
The traditional image of a poinsettia is often a bright red plant, but modern cultivars offer a stunning array of colors and forms. You can find poinsettias in shades of creamy white, soft pink, deep burgundy, and even speckled or marbled patterns combining colors like red and white or pink and white. Some varieties even have bracts that resemble roses in their form, adding another layer of visual interest. While you might encounter poinsettias in novelty colors like blue or purple, these are typically achieved through spray paint on cream-colored varieties, sometimes with added glitter for extra sparkle.
Poinsettia Care Guide: Step-by-Step
Knowing how do you take care poinsettias involves understanding their needs for light, temperature, water, and nutrients. Providing the right conditions will not only keep your poinsettia healthy during the holidays but also set the stage for potential reblooming in the future.
Light and Temperature
Poinsettias thrive in bright light.
- Indoor Light: Place your poinsettia in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight. A south, east, or west-facing window is ideal. Ensure it gets several hours of daylight each day.
- Outdoor Light (Summer): During summer, poinsettias can enjoy partial sun outdoors, ideally 4 to 6 hours daily.
- Temperature: The ideal indoor temperature for poinsettias is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 degrees Celsius). Avoid placing them near drafts, heat sources, or cold windows, as temperature fluctuations can stress the plant. Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can damage poinsettias, and freezing temperatures are fatal.
Watering Poinsettias Correctly
Proper watering is crucial for poinsettia care. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Watering Frequency: Water your poinsettia when the soil surface feels slightly dry to the touch. Alternatively, you can lift the pot; if it feels light, it’s time to water. Avoid letting the poinsettia wilt from dryness.
- Watering Technique: Remove any decorative foil or outer pot before watering to allow for proper drainage. Place the plant in a sink and water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Let it drain completely to ensure it’s not sitting in excess water, which can lead to root rot.
Fertilizing Poinsettias
Fertilizing poinsettias is important for their health and growth, especially outside of the holiday blooming period.
- During Holidays: Fertilization is generally not needed during the main holiday blooming season.
- Post-Holiday Fertilizing: Once you see new growth, such as new green leaves or bracts, start fertilizing. Use a balanced, all-purpose household plant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks during the active growing season to provide essential nutrients.
Transplanting and Potting
Transplanting is beneficial for poinsettias to encourage continued growth, especially if you plan to keep them beyond the holiday season.
- When to Transplant: In late spring or early summer, transplant your poinsettia.
- Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter, like peat moss. Ensure the new pot has drainage holes and is 2-4 inches larger than the original.
- Garden Planting: If planting outdoors in the garden for the summer, choose a spot with well-drained soil that receives partial sun (4-5 hours daily). Amend the soil with organic matter like compost to improve moisture retention and root environment.
- Post-Transplant Care: Water thoroughly after transplanting, whether in a pot or garden bed.
Getting Your Poinsettia to Rebloom
A common question among poinsettia owners is, “How can I make my poinsettia rebloom?” While poinsettias are beautiful as green plants, many desire to see their colorful bracts return for the next holiday season. Reblooming poinsettias requires a bit of effort to mimic the natural conditions that trigger their color change, specifically controlling light exposure.
The Reblooming Cycle – A Seasonal Guide
To guide you through the process of reblooming, here’s a month-by-month approach:
- New Year’s Day: If you see new growth, begin fertilizing. Continue providing adequate light and water to prolong the enjoyment of the existing bracts.
- Valentine’s Day: Inspect your plant for pests like whiteflies. If the plant has become leggy, prune it back to about 5 inches to encourage bushier growth.
- St. Patrick’s Day: Prune off any faded or dried parts. Remove fallen leaves from the soil surface and replenish with fresh potting mix if roots are exposed. Keep the plant in a sunny location.
- Memorial Day: Trim branches by 2-3 inches to promote side branching. If you plan to keep it potted, transplant it to a larger container.
- Father’s Day: Move your poinsettia outdoors to a location with indirect light for the summer or transplant it into your garden.
- Fourth of July: Trim the plant again. Move it to a spot with full sun. Increase watering and fertilization to support active growth.
- Labor Day: Bring the poinsettia indoors to a spot with at least 6 hours of direct light daily. As new growth starts, reduce fertilizer to one-quarter strength.
- Fall Equinox (Around September 21st): This is when the critical short-day treatment begins. Provide 16 hours of complete darkness (no light at all, even ambient) and 8 hours of bright light daily. A closet or basement can work. Maintain night temperatures around 60-65°F (15-18°C). Continue reduced watering and fertilizing. Rotate the plant daily for even light exposure.
- Thanksgiving: Stop the short day/long night treatment. Place the poinsettia in a sunny area with at least 6 hours of direct light. Reduce watering and fertilization further.
- Christmas: Enjoy your rebloomed poinsettia! After the holidays, you can restart the cycle if desired.
Key Factors for Reblooming
The key to reblooming poinsettias lies in manipulating light and temperature to mimic their natural winter conditions. The long, uninterrupted periods of darkness are essential for triggering the color change in bracts. Consistent watering, fertilization, and pest management are also crucial for maintaining plant health throughout this process.
Tips for Healthy Poinsettias
Maintaining healthy poinsettias involves more than just light and water. Here are some additional tips:
- Pest and Disease Management: Regularly check your poinsettia for pests, especially whiteflies, which are common indoor plant pests. Treat any infestations promptly with appropriate methods like insecticidal soap.
- Handling Poinsettia Sap: Be mindful of the poinsettia’s sap, which can cause skin irritation. Wear gloves when pruning or handling the plant, and avoid contact with eyes and mouth. Wash tools after use, as the sap can be sticky.
By following these comprehensive guidelines on how do you take care poinsettias, you can ensure your poinsettia thrives throughout the holiday season and potentially rebloom, bringing festive color to your home year after year. Enjoy the beauty of these iconic holiday plants!
