Caring For Poinsettias

12 Dec

Caring For Poinsettias: The Classic Holiday Plant

The red poinsettia (Euphorbia) has become synonymous with the holiday season, but there are more than 100 varieties of this plant; some of the more popular varieties sport red, pink, yellow or cream-coloured foliage.

1. Select your plant

  • Check the flowers for fresh green or red-tipped blooms. The showy coloured parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are actually coloured bracts, or modified leaves. Poinsettia flowers are found in the centre of the bracts. If they’re already producing pollen, part of the plant’s colourful display life has already passed and its leaves will soon begin to fade.
  • Avoid plants that have been placed outside or kept in a chilly, drafty spot. These kinds of temperature fluctuations can cause poinsettias to lose their leaves.
  • Look for plants with green foliage near the soil line, indicating the young plant hasn’t already dropped many of its leaves. Coloured bracts should extend over the lower green foliage.

2. Choose a spot for display

  • Keep poinsettias in indoor environments that range between 20° – 21° C. Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 10°C. Poinsettias are sensitive to cold and cannot survive the winter outside.
  • Avoid placing your plants in a chilly, drafty spot such as by the front door, or near a heat source inside your home, such as appliances, fireplaces or air vents.
  • Poinsettias are the perfect houseplant for the holiday season. They are ideal as a holiday dinner table centrepiece, as an accent in any room, or as a gift for the holiday host or hostess

3. Caring for your Poinsettias

With proper care, the beautiful, colourful blooms on these traditional holiday houseplants will last right through Christmas and well into the new year.

  • When in bloom, poinsettias need at least 6 hours of indirect light every day.
  • Allow the plant to dry out between waterings and ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. Remove the plant from watertight decorative containers when watering.
  • Mist poinsettias regularly and if possible, keep them in a humid environment.
  • Fertilize your plant after the blooming season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Don’t fertilize your plant while it’s blooming.

Poinsettia FAQs

Are poinsettias poisonous?
The widespread belief that poinsettias are poisonous is a misconception. The scientific evidence demonstrating the poinsettia’s safety is ample and well documented. As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption. However, the poinsettia has been demonstrated to be a safe plant. In fact, in 1992, the poinsettia was included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air. So, not only is the poinsettia a safe and beautiful addition to your holiday décor, it can even help keep your indoor air clean!

I am keeping my poinsettia moist all of the time, but the green leaves are still curling and dropping off.
You are probably keeping the plant too wet. Allow the soil to dry out before you water it again.

I have my poinsettia sitting on a windowsill. Some of the leaves are getting black marks on them.
If the leaves are touching the cold window, then damage is occurring. Try moving your poinsettia away from doors, drafts, windows, fireplaces, heaters and the tops of appliances that give off heat. A consistently comfortable temperature is very important for poinsettias.

Contact your REALTOR at Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty for more tips and advice on your home maintenance.

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