Poinsettia care
Poinsettia care
One of the traditional and most popular holiday flowers is the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). The delicate, yet dazzling flowers (bracts) range from huge bushes to miniatures plants and come in assorted colors that are sure to make the holiday brighter.
There is nothing more impressive than the classic deep red Poinsettia. On the other hand, snowflake white given the right setting has a most elegant appeal; whereas delicate shades of pink (Monet), mauves (Plum Pudding) burgundy(Cortez, Cranberry Punch)can easily be coordinated to any home decor. Each year more colors and varieties are available to peak our interest. The new Freedom series are known for their vibrant color and large bracts.
When selecting a poinsettia look for dark healthy leaves no yellowing bottom leaves. The bracts (leaves that work as petals) should be bright and completely colored. The true flowers are the tightly clustered, small, green or red-tipped flowers in the center of the bracts. Yellow pollen will shorten the life of the flowers. Do not choose a plant that is wilted or drooping.
Care
Poinsettias are very sensitive to the cold so if the temperature is below 50 degrees outside make sure that it is wrapped for protection when you buy it.
In order to maintain a healthy Poinsettia and longer bloom during the holiday season place the plant in bright diffused light for at least 6 hours a day, away from heating vents (hot dry air) and cold drafts. A temperature of 55-60 degrees at night and 72 during the day along with high humidity is ideal. The cool night temperatures will extend blooming time. Keep the plant evenly moist as moisture fluctuation, cold/hot drafts can cause premature leaf drop. When watering, do not let it stand in water, be sure to slip off the decorative foil cover (if there is one) or punch a hole in the cover to drain the excess water.
Contrary to beliefs, Poinsettias are not toxic. If you have a latex allergy, the sap from the leaves can irrate your skin. According to Poisindex, a 50# child would have to eat 500 bracts to get a stomach ache. Of course resulting reaction may vary with individuals. Poinsettia are not edible and as with all houseplants, should not to be eaten.
Have a safe and happy holiday!!
reblooming poinsettia 
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Is it possible to prune a Pointsetta? If so, how and when? I have one that is almost 3 years old and is getting very tall and scraggly. I have staked it, but now it is even growing taller.
Thank you! Shawna
I have a poinsettia that’s starting to rebloom, but the leafs are turning brown and falling. Please HELP!
why are the Pointsetta’s leaves turning yellow and dropping? with other plants I’d say it means overwatering, but I’ve been watering only when soil is dry, and there is good drainage (no foil), and a small clay pot. When we got the plant, the soil was very wet, but I don’t keep it that way. Please advise – thanks, Chris
Is it possible to revive a wilted Poinsettia?
In the wild, do Poinsettias naturally drop their leaves, or does this occur only indoors?
Put poinsettia outdoors for summer
I have 4 poinsettia from the Holidays and are still blooming. I have them in a south window on a table where they get indirect light. I know I can put them outside after the frost is over, I live in Utah. Do I put the in an indirect setting out there? Like morning sun and afternoon shade?
Can I plant my poinsettia outside ?
Yes, when the danger of frost has passed(May) since it is a tropical plant. It will bloom in the summer when the days are long. If you have frost where you live you will need to bring it back in for the winter.
I broke one of the branches off my poinsettia. Is there anything I can do to save it or should I just prune it?
Thanks
I have a question, I have a poinsettia that is now in a box from 5pm-8am, and on the window sill during the day. I have so many new buds and leaves coming out but the other leaves are curling up and dropping off. I wanted to know if that is normal. I was not sure, as I have never tried to rebloom a poinsettia. Please help me, I want this to work so bad. It was such a beautiful poinsettia and I have never had one rebloom before. Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong.
Thanks…..Cathy
Propagate poinsettia from cuttings
I am searching for information on a Poinsettia that is referred to as an Arubian Poinsettia. Could you please help me with care, propagating it, etc? Any knowledge is wonderful as I can not find any information on this.
I have a pointsettia it was beautiful and bright red leaves most of which fell off have many new leaves but they are green will they turn red again what can I do?
I have my poinsettia plants outdoors(FL) and early in Sept I noticed that the leaves were turnning black along the edge and look wilted. What is causing this? How do I correct this problem? Thanks
My poinsettia has large red blooms and is beautiful, but the leaves are curling and slowly falling off. It has not dried out and the leaves are not turning yellow. The soil stays moist. Do you have any suggestions.
The plant stays indoors. Thank you for any help. This is the most beautiful poinsettia I have ever had-it has been very healthly until the last 3 or 4 days.
I have had a Poinsettia that I bought for Christmas last yr. and The leaves are dropping off. What I mainly was wanting to know is when do I fertilize it? and can I use Miricle Grow instead of the 20-20-20?
My house is quite cold because we try not to turn the heater on very often. We usually walk around in sweaters, and have a small space heater to warm our bodies when we need to. My poinsettia is wilting, though, as I guess it’s too cold for it… The soil feels damp and cool. If I gave it to a friend with a warmer home, would it revive, or is it dead? Or else, will it grow again when the weather starts warming up?
Thank you!
Hi, I have a very old poinsettia in my yard in Los Angeles and it is about 15′ tall. It is next to the house where the water heater vents, and I would like to move it. Do you think it is transplantable?
thank you.
I have a potted poinsettia for the past 3yrs, that has amazingly re-bloomed each year! Since I live in Southern Ontario, it turns dark by 5pm in the winter mths, & so I haven’t had to follow the tedious routine to ‘fool’ the plant. I still have a few red leaves, but the plant is now beginning to shed. I just moved it out on the balcony which barely gets any sun. It’s about 10″ tall & a bit lean at the 1st 4″. The stalks are brown & woody at the bottom, before becoming green with a lot of leaves. I was wondering if I need to cut it back. & any other tips to keep the plant bushy instead of leggy.
Thanks!
I have a large potted pointsettia plant that has bloomed beautifully for the past three years but recently it started producing large yellow mushrooms at the base of the plant, how should i get rid of these and what is the cause.
Have a few poinsettias on north side of house,all healthy-looking, except for one which always starts out flourishing and then, as now, begins to display brown curled leaves which drop, leaving a woody, unhealthy-looking plant. This plant is a few inches from air-conditioning unit. If this is the problem can I transplant now in Florida.
Poinsettia is not known for its fragrance. But my latest purchase from different nursery all emit a strong ‘rose-like’ fragrance from the center of the red leaves. Is it normal? We have 6 pots in the living/dining rooms and the fragrance is getting stronger everyday.
can i change the color that my poinsettia turns. i.e. it is red, can i make it white?
I got a poinsettia last night at my office party but had a long cold walk back to my car and the plant was uncovered. Is there any way I can bring it back or will it come back on its own if I keep it throughout the year?
green leaves drying out although watering plant frequently also going away for 2 weeks
thanks janet
hello, i bought a poinsettia for the holidays last year, and now, it looks like its dying…the leaves are still red, but they are very wilted and falling off….i would like to bring it back if possible…do you have any suggestions…
Hello, thanks for the interesting information, poinsettia plants are attractive. I am looking forward to growing it but I have some questions:
A plant has been alive by my naive propagation as I am a very newbie, without any experience. The plant has been alive. The leaves are still ok. The flower hasn’t been appeared. But, anyway, nothing is growing up for several years.
Is it possible to let it be better?
Is it perennial plant?
Thanks very much in advance.
HI Bing
I need more information. Where is the plant growing? Outside or in a pot indoors? Do you live in a warm climate?
Hi! Thanks for your interest of my problem.
My plant has been in a pot indoors. About the climate, I probably should say it’s warm.
Actually, I’m not sure how to measure correctly. I’m in Bangkok, quite a town area in the capital city of Thailand. Honestly, I presume that the heat is still acceptable because it has still being alive. Besides, it is in end of winter, and coming in to summer soon.
I’m willing to sending some snapshots too, if you would like
Hi Bing
Poinsettia, a native plant of Mexico is a warm climate plant and naturally blooms in summer in the tropics after a winter of long nights (14 hrs of darkness). Your poinsettia may need to be fed with a well balanced soluble fertilizer (eg. 10-10-10) or to produce flowers.
I got my poinsettia before Christmas and have it indooors on a table. It has some black leaves on it, I pick them off. Is that the right thing to do? I’ve been reading that I should put it outside( I live in Houston). How should I re-pot it?
I have a poinsettia that I got around December- it was beatiful and flowered. Over the holiday break, I accidentally left it at work, and when I came back it was wilted. Now, all the leaves have fallen off and it’s just a bunch of stalks. I have read differing opinions on letting it dry out completely or watering it lightly, repotting, and trimming. What should I do to ensure that this plant will come back and flower later on this year? Also, what exactly does “cutting back” mean? Thanks for your help!
I left my popinsettia on the porch and we had a snow storm, the snow did not hit the leaves or the plant, but cold 20-30 degress. The plant leaves are still red but they are drooping. I have it inside now , will it survive or can I make it survive? Thanx Regina Johnson
I WAS TOLD THAT POINSETTIAS ATTRACT TERMITES WHEN PLANTED OUTSIDE. IS THIS TRUE?
Is it normal for poinsetta leafs to turn all red? If so what causes it?
hi one month earlier i have bought lucky bamboo indoor plant….its gud to grow but the problem is i dont knw how to protect them so just daily i kept sum water thats it….and now my plant is almost in dead stage
…. really i felt so sad of that…. the roots of that plant was spoiled… please can sumone tell how to protect my plant…. please 
Go to Lucky bamboo article. It will give you lots of info on lucky bamboo care.
my poinsettia has developed some white spores on stem and leaves. i used one part bleach one part water. is this ok and shall i transplant it or repot please reply via email.thanks
I live in Succasunna New Jersey and have a poinsettia plant since Decemeber 2005. It is in my Sun Room all year long. In the winter the sun room is about 55- 60 degrees F. I have done nothing but water the plant routinely and transferred it to a larger pot last summer. The plant has been routinely flowering with red flowers for the past 3.5 years. Is that normal?
I have a poinsettia that I have had since 07. It bloomed this year. However the new growth is curling up. I have it outside on the front porch where it receives no direct sun. I have seen no bugs. I was wondering what I should treat it with?
Thanks.
I have a very old(20+) poinsettia growing in my yard in Houston. It is at least 12 feet tall and very leggy because it has not been cut back for several years. I have perused all these comments and found nothing to say if it is okay to cut it to the point of having no leaves at all. It only has leaves on the top 25%.This guy has been doing okay in benign neglect for most of its life and I don’t want to kill it, but I really have to trim it. And can I do this now?
Thanks.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:26 am · Edit
I have had a poinsettia plant for about 3-4 years. Now the leaves are turning yellow, the stems are hardening and it looks like it’s trying to die. I haven’t done anything different to it. Is there a lifespan for poinsettias? I don’t want to trash it. It was a gift from my husband.
I have a poinsettia that I received 2 years ago. The leaves did turn red this year and have since gone back to green. I notice lately that the base of the plant has turned brown while green at the top. In the past two weeks they have started to fall over or bend and fall off. What do I do? My initial thought is that the new growth is too heavy since the stalks have grown to be wider than the originals.
I bought a variegated poinsettia last Christmas, and to my surprise, it lived. It’s tall, full and green and looks like it needs repotting, but it’s now Labor Day and I don’t want to kill it by repotting it out of its season. Can I do that without fear, or should I wait? Also, what’s the likelihood of it growing back variegated?
P.S. I live in Southeast Louisiana…which is hothouse heaven for most plants.
I planted my poinsettia in the ground after Christmas Holiday’s 2008. I live in South Texas & we were in a drought this year but I have a sprinkler system 7 also watered. The plant looked healthy & beautiful green leaves up until about 2 weeks ago & then all the leaves fell off & the stem’s started wilting,is there anything that I can do to revive this beautiful plant.
Here’s a strange one — I rescued an ofc poinsettia after the season. Did fine with it. Then, sometime last fall (2008), someone kidnapped it. Oddly enough, it has returned, and they obv didn’t know how to care for it. It has come back all tall and leggy with yellowed leaves. I know you don’t prune till March, but what is the hazard of pruning now? Or, do I just have to wait and watch it sadly for several months? I have no idea what its been thru all this time . . .
Fungus gnats
My office recieved a pointsettia around November of last year (2008). After Christmas it was thrown away in the trash! I litterally picked it up from the garbage and began to care for it. It has been doing great since than, new leaves and stems etc. have continued throughout the past year. However, within the past 3 weeks I have noticed super tiny, like super, super teeny tiny white or light colored bugs which ONLY appear when the soil is disturbed. There has to be at least a few hundread, and that’s just when I really fluffed up the soil. They do not fly. They do not ooze sap, or film of any kind. They leave no visable effect on the plant whatsoever. They do not spin webs. There are no holes in the leaves of the plant. The leaves are not yellow. The plant is not dropping.
I am in an office indoors, not near a window. Semi draft from above. The plant looks very well. The leaves are growing upwards, they are green, except a few red ones here and there. The very tips of some of the leaves are brown and dried (crunchy) and curling just a bit. But the plant continues to shoot up new stems and leaves. IT looks and acts perfectly fine, except for the infestation of those super, super teeny tiny white bugs. I noticed them BEFORE I started putting the plant in darkness.
Can anyone please tell me what I should do, if anything I can do?! What are those bugs?! Is it the end for my poor plant? :0)