Poinsettia care

87 Comments

1. Kris - September 18, 2006 at 12:23 am

   Prune Ponsettia
   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

   The best time to prune your pointsettia is in the spring(May), when the plant is ready to move outdoors. You can cut the stems by half or cut back the old stems 4-6 inches above the soil line to stimulate new growth. Fertilize lightly once a month with a 20-20-20 during the growing period. Also, to control the height pinch back in early July and August to get more branching.

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2. Thomas - November 19, 2006 at 1:29 pm

   I have a poinsettia that’s starting to rebloom, but the leafs are turning brown and falling. Please HELP!

   Make sure that the plant is not by a heating vent or cold draft and is getting enough humidity. Fluctuation in soil moisture, cold temperatures can also cause leaf drop. Another important possibility is watering, either too much or too little will cause the tips to turn brown.

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3. Christa - November 25, 2006 at 8:34 am

   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

   The problem could have started when you bought the plant. If it was very wet, chances are that whoever cared for it, overwatered it causing root rot problems. The plant may recover depending on how extensive the damage is to the roots.

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4. Arlee Reach - December 13, 2006 at 4:49 pm

   Is it possible to revive a wilted Poinsettia?

   It depends on what is causing it to wilt. If it is wilting because the soil is dry, then it should respond to watering. On the other hand, if it wilted because it has been watered too much, then the roots are rotting and the plant most likely will not revive. You can tell if it is overwatered when the soil is wet and the plant is still wilted. Let the plant dry out and water when the pot feels light.

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5. Dinah Kapitan - April 8, 2007 at 10:36 am

   In the wild, do Poinsettias naturally drop their leaves, or does this occur only indoors?

   Poinsettia do drop their leaves in the wild but not all at the same time and replace them with new growth.

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6. Gladys - April 9, 2007 at 10:24 am

   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?

   You can set your pointsettia in a partially shaded area in your flowerbed or patio. Filtered sun and are protection from the afternoon sun, should be fine.

   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.

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7. Pam - September 13, 2007 at 8:29 am

   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

   No, there’s nothing you can do to save it. Prune it off so that the wound can heal.

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8. chana - October 27, 2007 at 8:56 am

   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 not found any cultivar by that name. You must be referring to a Poinsettia from Aruba. It would most likely have the same general care as any other poinsettia. To propagate a poinsettia- take a 3-4 inch tip cutting from a side shoot with 2-3 mature leaves, dip in water to seal in the latex then dip in a rooting medium (optional) and plant in a soil mix of peat moss, sand or perlite. Keep soil mix moist (not wet), maintain high humidity(mist) and temps at 70-80 F during the day and 70-60F at night. Cuttings should be in a shaded area to avoid wilting and take 3-4 weeks to root. Best time to take cutting is in early-mid August.

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9. Judy Willoughby - December 26, 2007 at 6:13 am

   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

   One of the problems that poinsettia can get growing outdoors is a magnesium deficiency. It is characterized by symptoms of yellowing leaves, marginal scorch(black edges)or tip burn starting at the base of the shoots and advancing to the tip. It is usually prevalent in sandy soils. An application of magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) twice a year will correct the problem. Apply once in Feb-March and June-July – 3 tBl per square yard.
   source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

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10. Sandy Way - January 1, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Leaves curl and drop
    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.

    The leaves will curl and fall off from low humidity and dry indoor air. Increase the humidity by placing it on a pebble tray. Make sure the soil is evenly moist. Poinsettia will also drop it’s leaves if it is allowed to go dry and exposed to hot/cold drafts.

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11. Michelle - January 23, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    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?

    You don’t need to fertilize until the spring (March-May)-after you cut down the plant and if it remains in the original soil. If you repot it in fresh soil, then you don’t need to fertilize until you set the plant outdoors (May). Fresh potting soil usually has enough nutrients to feed the plant for a few months. Miracle grow should be fine. For more info see Reblooming Poinsettia

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12. Emilie - February 19, 2008 at 1:47 pm

    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!

    It is possible that is was too wet for the cool conditions and has some root problems thereby causing the plant to wilt. Let the plant dry out between waterings, also make sure it doesn’t sit in water – that may give the roots time to recover. The warmer environment should also help. Poinsettia will start to wilt and drop leaves this time of year but will start a new with warmer weather. See reblooming poinsettia for additional info.

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13. Laura Weekes - April 7, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    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.

    It should be transplantable. I have never transplanted it outdoors. It should be in a “dormant stage” not actively growing to have the best success. If you’re going to move it, do so before it sends out new growth and trim it down. Get as much of the root ball as you can. A plant uses a lot of energy to send out new growth making it difficult to adjust to root damage incurred in transplanting.

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14. Ray - July 25, 2008 at 8:39 am

    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!

    Hi Ray
    You can cut it back, its a little late but still doable. see reblooming poinsettias. It has insturctions on what you need to do.

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15. Laura Mondoc - August 6, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    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.

    Hi Laura
    What you have is a mushroom known as Leucocoprinus birnbaumii (Lepotia lutea)– a common houseplant mushrooms. It can come in the soil or organic matter. The mushroom will not harm the plant, in fact when it breaks down(dies) it will provide nutrients to the plant. They are known not to be poisonous to humans or animals but I would not eat them. Enjoy the novelty or remove them when they come up. For more info.http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/mulch.html

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16. florence van-steenbergen - August 18, 2008 at 5:10 am

    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.

    Hi Florence
    The air conditioning is most likely the problem. The best time to prune and transplant your poinsettia is in early spring or after bloom when danger of frost has passed. In your case I would transplant it now, it should have enough time to establish itself before winter. Provide some shade until it recovers from transplant shock and keep it moderately moist but not too wet. A root stimulator will also help the plant recover quicker.

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17. jojo - December 15, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    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.

    Hi Jojo
    I am not aware of any poinsettia that has a sweet fragrance. I’m sure that if one was developed, the hybridzer would advertise it to the high heavens. Blooming plants give off a “fresh flower scent”. Is it possible that the plants were sprayed with a fragrance? or perhaps you have a new “accidental” hybrid that does have a sweet fragrance. At any rate, I would ask the nursery.

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18. Andrew - December 16, 2008 at 5:51 am

    can i change the color that my poinsettia turns. i.e. it is red, can i make it white?

    HI Andrew
    Color comes from various pigments in the plant and genetics. Unless some mutation occurs, you cannot change the color from red to white.

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19. SUsan - December 21, 2008 at 7:43 am

    Cold damage
    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?

    HI Susan
    Poinsettia have a difficult time recovering from cold damage. It’s a wait and see situation. The plant may recover after a while but it won’t look pretty. The leaf edges and flowers will turn brown/black like the plant was scorched. The longer and colder exposure the more severe the symptoms will be. Once it sends out new growth, it should be fine.

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20. janet - January 12, 2009 at 4:25 am

    Drying out leaves
    green leaves drying out although watering plant frequently also going away for 2 weeks
    thanks janet

    Hi Janet
    Wilted green leaves can be a sign of underwatering. The plant wilts and drops its lower leaves. If you are overwatering the lower leaves will turn yellow and drop.
    When watering your poinsettia, be sure to soak the soil until it drains from the bottom of the pot. Allow the roots to absorb the water for 15-30 min. and then remove any excess water or you’ll get root rot. Keep in mind, once the peaty soil was allowed to get too dry, it becomes more difficult to rehydrate, water will run right through the pot and will not be abosorbed by the roots. It’s best to water the plant well and then wait till the top 2 inches of soil are dry to water again. If the soil is wet and the plant is still wilting, then your are overwatering and the plant may have root rot from sitting in too much water.

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21. Estela - January 15, 2009 at 9:58 am

    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…

    Hi Estela
    Make sure you are watering properly. Not enough water will make the leaves wilt and drop and too much water will make them turn yellow and drop.
    Here’s an article to help you rebloom your poinsettia for next year

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22. Lizzy - January 23, 2009 at 8:14 am

    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?

    Hi Lizzy
    It may be too cold outdoors for your poinsettia right now. It is a tropical plant and will not tolerate temperatures below 50F. It’s fine to remove the blackened leaves. Place the poinsettia outdoors when night temperatures are above 50F. After you cut the plant back (Feb/March), repot it in a slightly larger pot if the plant is too large for the old pot. Use a light peat moss/vermiculite or perlite soil mix and keep the plant in a warm sunny window.

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23. regina johnson - February 17, 2009 at 8:59 am

    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

    HI Regina
    There’s not much you can do at this point but wait. After the leaves drop cut the plant back to 6 inch stubs for reblooming next year. Eventually, it should leaf out new growth if the roots haven’t been damaged.

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24. P J - February 19, 2009 at 9:13 am

    I WAS TOLD THAT POINSETTIAS ATTRACT TERMITES WHEN PLANTED OUTSIDE. IS THIS TRUE?

    Hi PJ
    I have not heard of that. Perhaps someone out there can enlighten us.

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25. janet - March 2, 2009 at 6:51 am

    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

    Hi Janet
    It sounds like you may have powdery mildew. Your one to one ratio may be to harsh on the plant. There are some gentler formulas such as baking soda and water you can use.

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26. Celeste - July 21, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    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.

    Hi Celeste
    Poinsettia can grow into large shrubs and live for years in the tropics. Its great that you were able to rebloom it for the last 3 years. Perhaps your plant needs to be replanted. Have you fertilized it during the growing season? Did you cut it back after bloom? As the plant ages, the stems will become woody. Yellowing leaves can also indicate a root problem such as too much water.

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27. sharon - September 2, 2009 at 5:53 am

    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.

    HI Sharon
    It sounds as if your poinsettia is top heavy and needs additional support. You don’t mention if you cut back your plant in the spring. Cutting back to 6″ stalks helps keep the plant bushier and sturdier. You can add some support by tying string around the branches to hold them together.

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28. Jane S6 - September 6, 2009 at 8:54 am

    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.

    Hi Jane
    You can repot it (I repotted mine a week ago and its doing fine.) just make sure that you don’t disturb the roots too much and place it in a shaded area for a few days after repotting. I would think that the variegation would come back since you are using the same plant not the seeds.

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29. Debbie - September 9, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    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.

    Hi Debbie
    Based on the information, it sounds like a root problem. Either your plant is getting too much water or not enough. If the soil is wet and the plant is wilted then it is getting too much water and the roots are rotting from being too wet. The do not like “wet feet”. If that is the case, move the plant to an area with well drained soil.
    If the plant perks up after watering, then your poinsettia was not getting enough moisture.

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30. Louisa - September 20, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    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 . . .

    Hi Louisa
    I’m glad they decided to return the poinsettia to someone who will care for it. Pruning it back this time of year is not a good idea. For one, you will delay bloom. It will not bloom in time for Christmas. Secondly, since we are going into the winter season, there is less light and the plant usually slows down, you want to prune it when it is ready to actively grow -like in the spring. I would give it some support with stakes and give it a dose of a balanced fertilizer (just once). Call it your “Charlie Brown poinsettia” this year and guard it from kidnappers next year so you can give it a proper upbringing.

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31. KF - September 25, 2009 at 11:54 am

    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)

    Hi KF
    I suspect that you have fungus gnats in the soil. They occur when the soil is being kept too wet which is also indicated by the browning leaf tips. Cut back on the watering, let 1-2″ of the soil dry between waterings.

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32. catherine - November 13, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Fungus gnats
    My pointsetta has been outdoors since last years frost was over. Doing beautifully, getting ready to move indoors for the holiday season. I noticed little tiny black bugs crawling around in the soil. What are they, and what can I do to get rid of them?

    Hi Catherine
    It’s possible that you may have fungus gnats. The adult insect is a tiny fly and juvenile is a larvae. Fungus gnats are an indicator that the soil is too moist.

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33. haley - November 30, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Pebble tray
    Hello,
    I’m proud to say I’m the only one in my office that has successfully kept my christmas party poinsettia alive since last christmas. We have a verrry cold office during the day (about 66-67 degrees) and regardless of my plant, I have been freezing. I purchased a small space heater and I’m worried the air in my small office is getting too dry for my poinsettia now. Is there anything I can do to increase the humidity in here aside from a humidifier?

    Hi haley,
    A pebble tray will help increase humidity around the plant. See how to make a pebble tray.

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34. Sally - December 30, 2009 at 9:01 am

    Grow poinsettia outdoors
    I live in Ocala, FL and rescued 7 poinsettas. They are in good shape and I would like to plant them outside. I have seen them where I live and they are absolutely beautiful. I was told to plant them on the Northside, but I’ve read they should be planted on the Southside. I was looking at planting them on the Southside, but with filtered light from Live Oak trees, etc. Also, when should I cut them back? What do you recommend?
    Thank You & Happy New Year
    P.S. Will they attract hummingbirds or butterflies?

    Hi Sally
    Happy New Year to you!
    Southern exposure with some filtered light sounds like a great spot to grow your poinsettias. Make sure you plant them in rich,well drained soil in an area where they are not exposed to any street or car lights as that will keep them from blooming. Poinsettias need long dark nights to set their buds for bloom which usually happens in Sept/Oct.
    Wait till all danger of frost is over before planting them outdoors. Prune your poinsettia 6-12″ after they are done blooming (early Spring) when you plant them in the ground.
    Hummingbirds and butterflies are lured by the colorful bracts that draw them to the inconspicuous flower in the center.
    nassau.ifas.ufl.edu/news/poinsettiasforflorida.pdf

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35. Liz N - January 3, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Poinsettia cold damage
    Hi there! I’m at home recouperating from a broken ankle. A well meaning man from my church brought me over a GORGIOUS big beautiful deep red Poinsettia. Very nice of him…&absolutely lovely. Unfortunately, he brought it from his car to my place uncovered… when it was +10 degrees F outside! (pause for audible sigh! lol!). Of course the leaves are all falling off one by one. The Red bracts are still there, but even they are tinged with black & starting to fall off. I’m planning to “wait it out”. Then trim it down to six inches of stem. Then I’ll wait & see if it produces leaves again.
    Does this seem lie the thing to do? How long do you wait to trim it down to six inches? Any other ideas?
    Liz in Iowa… “Limp along Liz”

    HI Liz
    Ouchh! Sorry to hear about the ankle. Now comes the practice of patience. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
    Regarding your poinsettia, wait until Feb/March to trim your plant back. It should then put out some new growth within a few weeks. Reblooming poinsettia (more info) isn’t that difficult provided you give it the requirements it needs. I rebloomed 2 plants this year and was quite happy with them. The flowers weren’t as large and showy as the original but nevertheless, there were flowers.

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36. Peg - January 6, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    Planting poinsettia in Fla
    We live in The Villages, Fl and our beautiful red poinsettia has been outdoors in a container on our covered front entry since purchasing it at Thanksgiving. Do I need to bring it indoors OR, can we now plant it in the ground. We’d love to keep it. Please advise. Thank you!

    Hi Peg
    You can plant your poinsettia in the ground as long as there is no chance of freezing temperatures in your area. Otherwise wait a month or so and then plant it outdoors.

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37. Natalie Miller - January 8, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Overwatering poinsettia
    Help!!! I didn’t realize I had overwatered my poinsettia and that it had been sitting in water. I took out the plant, wrapped in paper towels to absorb some of the moisture. The roots didn’t looked rotted. It actually started to have 3 new red leaves bloom, but 2 turned black and fell off, and seemingly healthy leaves are still falling off. Is there anything I can do? Someone suggested repotting with new soil?

    Hi Natalie
    Allow the soil to dry and resume watering again when the top 1-2 inch dry or the pot feels light. The roots may recover as you adjust your watering. If the roots have a foul odor, then you will need to repot the plant, if not wait until early spring to replant in fresh soil. The plant may continue to drop leaves and may look scranny, but don’t despair. Poinsettia will also drop leaves and decline due to low indoor light & low humidity. Once you end up with bare stems cut them back as instructed in reblooming poinsettia.

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38. Tanya - February 3, 2010 at 10:40 am

    I got a poinsettia for thanksgiving. Our house it cold and the leaves were curling up so I decided to bring it to work where there is much more indirect light and where it’s warmer. It was doing better but then I overwatered it. I soaked up the extra water with papertowels and let the soil dry out. I then started watering it again but the bottom of the major stem is turning brown and going up the stem. There are no leaves and the flowers are dying. I looked at the roots and they look fine. Is this plant lost hope or can I revive it?

    Hi Tanya
    It may be that part of the roots are damaged causing the stem to turn brown or it can be a natural mature browning. Wait and see, if the browning is soft and mushy (stem rot)and progresses to the rest of the plant, then it is probably not saveable. Keep in mind that you will eventually cut back the stem to 6″ so there’s no worry about bare stems. The plant has done its job for the season. More info see http://hortchat.com/info/reblooming-poinsettia

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39. GrannyB - February 17, 2010 at 10:57 am

    Poinsettia toxic
    Hello Chris
    Are poinsettias toxic to kittens – 8-9 months old? “Itty Bity Boo” is chewing on the leaves. She is a house critter so when I put the plant outside she will not be exposed to it.
    Thank you for taking the time to reply.
    Peace and God Bless America
    GrannyB

    Hi Granny B
    Eventhough Poinsettia have a reputation of being toxic, they are not. Your kitten can get a stomach ache from chewing on the leaves but that would depend on how much it eats which is true for most houseplants. It won’t kill the cat but they should be discouraged to eat the leaves.

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40. Jack - September 20, 2010 at 7:05 am

    Brown leaf tips
    After reading several of these questions and comments, am I correct in saying that if the leaves on a poinsettia are turning yellow on the tips, then brown and crunchy, it is probably due to the lack of moisture in the air? The leaves on my poinsettia look as if I have dipped them in a coloring and then the leaves dry out and curl. I am fertilizing them and only water them when they need water, not necessarily on a regular basis. My temperature is a good 70 plus degrees.

    Hi jack
    Brown leaf tips may be an indicator of not enough water or too much water, too much fertilizer, or low humidity. When you water, do you give it enough water so that it drains out from the bottom?

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41. jim - November 1, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I live in east TN and planted our 3 poinsettias in the flower-bed. They did get in the summer, lots of dark green leafs with no blooms/flowers. Now that we’re getting colder weather, I’ve dug the plants up and potted them with fertilizer. Is there anything I can do to get them to flower before Christmas? Of course I’ve got them inside getting s.w. sunlight.

    Hi Jim
    Poinsettias need short days and long nights to bloom. To initiate blooming you must expose the plant to 14 hrs of uninterrupted darkness (no cheating, even a small amount of light will break the cycle) followed by 10 hrs of bright light for a period of 8-10 weeks starting late September. http://hortchat.com/info/reblooming-poinsettia

    Reply
42. Rob - November 24, 2010 at 6:44 am

    I have 2 poinsettia plants I got for 99 cents each last black friday. They are now huge about 20 inches tall. I’ve been watering and following the steps for them to rebloom. I put in a closet when I get home from work and remove after 14 hours of darkness. My problem is only about 5 small new leaves on each plant has turned red, all of the rest are the same green color they turned after last winter. It’s been about 6 weeks now I’ve been at this, can anyone help me to get them to turn all red again?

    Hi Rob
    Try to expose them to more sunlight. Poinsettia rebloomed indoors will usually produce smaller colored bracs than those grown in the greenhouse.

    Reply
43. k gutter - December 6, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I bought a poinsettia yesterday but was not aware of its sensitivity to cold. It sat in the car for about 2 hours…the temperature outside was probably about 30 degrees. It looks pretty wilted today, do you think it can recover? Thanks!

    Hi K
    It most likely will not recover to its former self. Sorry.. If the plant isn’t totally damaged it will send out new growth in the spring.

    Reply
44. bonnie - December 12, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Milky sap
    My poinsettia is oozing white liquid at leaf joint and leaves are falling off. What is happening?

    Hi Bonnie
    The white liquid is just the sap from the plant. It is in the euphorbia family and they will bleed a milky sap when bruised. Is your plant bruised or “attacked” by an animal?

    Reply
45. Katie - December 17, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Cold damage
    Is it at all possible to save my poinsettia? I had to leave it out in my friends garage in 3 degree weather because he is severely allergic to them and has had to be hospitalized from being near a poinsettia. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to save my plant.

    Hi Katie
    It depends on how much cold damage your Poinsettia incurred. Most likely it is wilted and turning black. If the roots were not frozen, you can cut it back to 6 inches and it should put out new growth from the base and perhaps some side shoots. Otherwise, take your loses.

    Reply
    1. Liz Noyes - December 20, 2010 at 7:59 am

       Hello Katie! I saw your post & had to respond. I went through something similar a year ago. I fell on the ice just prior to xmas last year & broke my ankle…(Xmas in the hospital… not fun!) Anyway, a wonderful man from my church brought over a HUGE & totally GORGEOUS poinsettia plant from Church for me. I watched him walk across my yard…. with the plant uncovered…..In Iowa weather… At 10 degrees above zero. Sigh… To add to it all, he had had it in his car (in his garage) the entire day prior.
       Wonderful man, nice gesture…& clueless about plants. Poinsettia plants are sort of tropical; I’ve heard they are native to Mexico. Iowa winters are not tropical.

       The thing that you want to hope for is that the roots & stems didn’t freeze, just the leaves were affected. I’d guess that probably the garage provided enough shelter in your case for that, unless you live in Canada with an unattached garage. In my case, The plant initially looked fine, but very soon afterwards, the leaves started turning dark & falling off. After realizing that this was going to happen, I left a few lower leaves on, so that the plant would continue photosynthesizing, but I basically cut all the stems back down, so that maybe 4- 8 inches of stem was present. I cut the stems at differing levels of length, so that it would grow back in a balanced form. I deliberately left a few leaves on the plant, but basically the plant was REAL ugly. You want the plant’s energy to NOT go to maintaining the “soon to be falling off” leaves, but instead to go to the production of new leaves. I watered it & fertilized it on occasion. Sure enough, despite the injury to it, it did start to produce tiny buds & leaves. It never was even close to what it had been, but it was an interesting project to see/watch while I recovered at home.

       Best of luck to you; hope it all works out.

       Liz

       Reply
46. jim - December 26, 2010 at 8:20 am

    Black leaf edge
    Our month-old red poinsettia is developing large black spots along the edges of the leaves. We live in El Paso, and the humidity index is very low, so it gets watered maybe twice a week. The spots are about the size of a quarter right now.

    Hi Jim
    It sounds like the low humidity is causing the leaf edges to dry up. Increase the humidity around the plant with a pebble tray or mist around the plant. In addition, you may be overwatering. Water your poinsettia when the soil is dry. Make sure the water drains out freely and don’t let the bottom sit in water.

    Also some nutrient deficiencies can have similar symptoms as well as fertilizer burn. If your leaves have spots-It may have a bacterial disease. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/poinsettia/leaves/edges.html

    Reply
47. madeleine beals - January 6, 2011 at 7:25 am

    Pruning Poinsettia tree
    I purchased a gorgeous tree form poinsetta this Dec. It is nearly five feet tall and the huge red pink leaves are at least three feet diameter, just spectacular!! I have read all the questions and answers in the forum and one stated that for three years her poinsetta has been kept exclusivly in her sun room and continues to rebloom! Mine is also ina sunroom with ideal conditions, should I try to leave it there or do the dark closet thing that will be difficult due to the size. Also how should I prune this beauty and when? Thanks so much, Madeleine

    Hi Madeleine
    The dark closet thing is done to get the poinsettia to bloom during the winter for the Christmas season. If left alone it will probably bloom later in the season. You can get it to bloom during December, if your sunroom is blocked from any night light during the re-blooming period. In March-May, you can prune the top of your tree by 1/2 or even to 6 inch stems to maintain a nice shape and again in July/August. see reblooming poinsettia

    Reply
48. Jesse - January 27, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    Poinsettia hedge
    I want to plant a Poinsettia hedge. Is 2′ in between plants adequate?

    Hi Jesse
    A spacing of 2-3ft should be adequate. The closer you plant the faster it will fill in as a hedge. Plant in full sun, make sure the soil is well-drained and work in some organic material. You will need to prune the hedge several times during the growing season (stop before Labor day) to keep it full and bushy.

    Reply
49. Snakelover - March 2, 2011 at 4:15 am

    Brown leaf tips and reblooming
    I got a poinsettia over the holidays but I haven’t a clue how to care for it.
    my mother tried to kill it by not watering it, but the little thing was determined to live and defiantly grew new leaves after all the old ones had fallen off.
    it’s now safely in my room, but I need to know what to do to keep it from dying.
    the light may not be good enough in a northwest facing room, but it’s all I’ve got.

    my problem is that the tips of two of it’s stems are turning black and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong.
    one is broken, so I guess I’ll have to remove that one, but the other is the main stem and I can’t figure out what to do for it.
    (caring for spider plants is so much simpler than a poinsettia seems to be.)

    Hi
    With a little know how poinsettia can be coaxed to grow and rebloom. see.. http://hortchat.com/info/reblooming-poinsettia. Cut back or remove any broken stems. Be careful not to keep the soil too wet or too dry. Brown leaf tips can also indicate low humidity and too much fertilizer.

    Reply
50. Annie - March 17, 2011 at 9:55 am

    To prune or not to prune
    I got a pot of poinsettia last Christmas and now it is still blooming beautifully, still gets new red leaves, and gets denser than when I got it. I read that poinsettia needs to be pruned in Spring. Should I just prune it now(it is still beautiful though), or should I wait until it stops blooming?

    Hi Annie
    It’s up to you whether to prune or not. They can bloom well into spring. Last year, I bit the bullet. I cut off the flowers, made a quickie vase arrangement. If you don’t prune the plant, you will have a large plant and maybe a leggy one, depending on growing conditions. In nature, poinsettia grow into a large shrub and are pruned to control height and bushiness. Eventually, you may have to transplant it into a larger pot.

    Reply
    1. Snakelover - March 23, 2011 at 11:12 pm

       thanks for answering, but at the time I asked I hadn’t given the plant any fertilizer at all, and the leaves were never the problem.
       the poor thing is getting worse every day, it’s stems keep turning black and wilting.
       the leaves are still fine, though very small, and aside from the black stems the rest of the plant seems ok.
       I just can’t figure out what’s making the stems wilt.

       Hi Snakelover
       If the stems are turning black from the top where you cut them, then they may either have some bacterial stem rot esp. if it continues to progress down the stem. Cut if off way past the diseased area into healthy stem and use a knife dipped in alcohol. Sterilize after each cut. Infected plants are usually stunted (produce small leaves).
       The cut stem should callus over and may develop a light brown dried tip. If not toss the plant.

       Reply
       1. Snakelover - March 31, 2011 at 7:41 pm

          I’ll try that, thanks.
          do you mean rubbing alcohol though? I don’t want to make it worse.
          (sorry, I’ve never dealt with a problem I couldn’t see the cause for.)

          Yes

          Reply
51. Catherine - June 2, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Whitefly
    I have a 3 year old poinsettia and it is doing very well. It’s still have red leaves from Christmas. I live in a warm climate so it loves my balcony. However, it has a whitefly infestation from all the descriptions of whitefly I have been reading. They are tiny like a piece of lint, very white an they fly up in a cloud if the plant is disturbed or even if I am just sitting quietly reading next to it. They come and check me out and they look like dust in the air but they fly with purpose. I started a monthago to spray the plant with Neem every week, but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything to the flies. I’m not real happy about using something so toxic to the environment either. The plant itself doesn’t appear to be suffering, but I don’t know how long that will last.
    Advice please! Thank you.

    Hi Catherine
    Whitefly is a difficult insect to get rid of. For treatment suggestions see info at http://hortchat.com/info/white-fly

    Reply
52. Cali - September 22, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    I bought a mini poinsettia last Christmas which I kept. It has grown and thrived in my office. I am now trying to re-bloom for Christmas. The problem started when I put it under a paper bag at night to get total darkness, it has now started to have some yellow leaves. During the weekend, it doesn’t get any sunlight since no one is here to remove the bag during the day. Can this plant have too much darkness? Any suggestions?

    Hi Cali
    Yes, eventhough the bloom in short days and long nights, poinsettias still need sunlight during the day. Can you leave the plant uncovered during the weekend without night light exposure?

    Reply
53. Sandra - September 27, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Trimming poinsettia
    My Plant was beautiful and bushy growing in a pot. I had it outside for the summer in partial shade it was awesome. It started oozing white sap around just the leaves then started turning light brown and curling eventually falling off. I brought it inside where it was cooler and put it in indirect light. it now looks so thinned out with the leaves. what can I do to help. I keep it evenly moist on a tray of peebles with some water. what is wrong with it to go from beautiful to looking so straggly?

    Hi Sandra
    It sounds as if your poinsettia was injured/broken hence the white sap. Perhaps a critter? It’s too late to cut it back, but keep in mind that they stay bushier if you give several prunings during the summer.

    Reply
54. Tori Wells - October 11, 2011 at 8:12 am

    I am doing a class project on poinsettias and the leaves have curled due to not enough water. Would it be possible to cut the curled leaves off?

    Hi Tori
    The curled leaves may fall off by themselves. If not, leave them so your plant has more leaves produce food. Once its large enough then you can remove the unsightly leaves. Watch the watering, they are sensitive to too wet or too dry conditions.

    Reply
55. pat - October 26, 2011 at 7:13 am

    My poinsettia tree plant is 2years old and ws doing great in a large pot after trimming it last spring. full plant with dark leaves. Had a wet spell and now its leaves are lighter and are falling. Sad because last Christmas it was so beautiful. Please help.

    Hi Pat
    The leaves are lighter & falling due to root damage. Poinsettias are sensitive to wet feet. Let the roots dry out. Move it to a protected area when it rains. Hopefully, it will recover.

    Reply
56. michelle - October 27, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    I received a very bushy poinsettia from a friend. I have never had luck with these plants but I managed to keep it alive for 1 full month. But when I got it I noticed that some of the stems looked really woody. As it turns out the plant was infested with scale, gross. I tried to clean them off with a bit of alcohol and sprayed the plant with oil/water. The next day one of my roommates left the window open in our apartment and I live in Northern Alberta Canada where our daytime high is 5-10C. Now I have about 7 leaves on one stalk and all the others are bare. Some of the new growth has turned brown and fallen off and some of the bare stems feel soft and limp near the tips. Is there anything I can do for this plant? Can I cut the stems back now? This is the first Poinsettia I have had for more than 2 weeks and I don’t want it to die. Please Help…Thanks:)

    Hi Michelle
    It sound like your poinsettia has more problems than you can fix. If you cut it back, you will not have any “blooms” this year and I’m not sure if it will regrow new leaves. Poinsettia are sensitive to overwatering and the roots may be rotting. The wilting tips can be due to too much water and cold exposure. I would take it as a lesson learned and start over with a new poinsettia.

    Reply
57. Debbie B - November 15, 2011 at 6:15 am

    We live in Southeastern Louisiana.
    Is it ok to have a poinsettia planted near the house? What do the root systems do? My husband is concerned about the root system affecting the foundation, etc. Of course I already planted it! Do I need to move it? You have great information here–Thank You!

    Hi Debbie
    At best a poinsettia will grow into a tall bush (shrub)and should not affect the foundation.

    Reply
58. Connie - December 3, 2011 at 3:57 pm

    I am looking for “curly” poinsettias that I have purchased at WallMart for the last 3 years, but they don’t have them this year. We are on a barrier island and have chronic windy conditions at this time of year. The curly poinsettias are the only ones that survive the winds and last till we leave in March. HELP!! Where can I find these. Thanks for any help you can give me. Connie

    Hi Connie
    Check some of the local stores or garden centers to see if they have “Winter rose poinsettia”.

    Reply
    1. ‘Lizbeth - December 6, 2011 at 8:59 pm

       Hi there Michelle! I had somewhat of the same experience…without the bugs. I tried to rehab a “much loved” plant. It had been absolutely beautiful out the year before; when I set it out on the patio. But yours truly let it get too cold; & 90% of the leaves dropped off. I pruned it back, & sure enough, little tiny leaves started to come back. But it was just too hard to monitor the heat/cold factor (I live in Iowa, & “baby it’s cold outside”, the proper amt of lighting, & the amt of water it needed. The “Baby leaves” would eventually turn black & die. Summery: After going thru this cycle a number of times; I finally gave up. I just the other day bought a beautiful plant for a whopping $3.99 at Aldi’s. It was so pretty (& cheap) that I’m very tempted to get another one.

       Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

       Lizbeth

       Reply
59. Rebecca - December 7, 2011 at 3:07 am

    Watering issue
    I’ve read through this thread of comments with a lot of valuable information, however I’m still at a loss as to why my poinsettia is dying.

    I bought one from my son for a school fundraiser. He transported them home in plastic pots, wrapped in decorative foil, then the entire plant wrapped in brown paper, and finally 6-count in a box.

    The top soil was very moist when I placed my plant on top of a bookshelf. My home is roughly the recommended 70 degrees. By morning, it was drooping…falling, stems bent and leaves curling. I panicked and quickly added water at the urging of my son who said to water daily. Throughout the day, positioned as close to a north-facing window as I could get without getting too close to cause it a chill (ALL of my windows are north-facing, unfortunately.), she just drooped further with leaves touching the ground. She looked very sad. I sang “Cumbaya”, but nothing helped, not the singing, nor the bits of indirect sunlight. Frankly, I think she would have been happier if she had stayed in the box.

    I have a brown thumb, apparently (nothing living and thriving in my home), and with a heavy heart, I would predict that this plant is a goner. However, years ago I had some pepper plants which I kept outdoors on my patio, in a much warmer season (Spring/Summer), and daily they would wilt and droop until I watered them. Then they would perk right up as if nothing was ever wrong. This time I’m not so lucky.

    HELP! Should I donate my plant (if it’s not too late)to someone who knows about caring for them? After all, as a vegetarian, I usually just eat them.

    Hi Rebecca
    It sounds as if your plant may have some watering issues which cause root problems. Your poinsettia may have been overwatered before you got it. The roots are very sensitive to overwatering and start to rot. If the plant is in a foil container either punch a hole to make sure any excess water drains out so the bottom of the pot doesn’t sit in water. Let it dry out slightly before watering again. Furthermore, move the plant away from the window. Eventhough your home is 70F degrees, temperatures are much cooler next to a window and Poinsettia do not like either hot or cold drafts.

    Reply
60. Vanny - December 20, 2011 at 7:12 am

    too much water vs not enough
    Hello – How can I determine if my poinsettia is suffering from too much versus not enough watering? They seem to respond the same either way.

    When the leaves curl up, is it more likely to be the cause dryness or overwatering? If an entire stalk of leaves drop off, is it due to overwatering and becoming soggy at the root?

    I’ve had occassionsof both, even with careful attention to watering only enough to drain through the bottom, and only when soil is dry to the touch.

    Whatever you can do to clarify the exact response to each condition would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    Hi Vanny
    Some of the reasons for leaf drop on poinsettia is irregular watering, either extreme. Keeping the plant too dry or keeping it too wet will cause leaves to turn yellow and leaf drop. Soil that is too wet will also cause the stem and root to rot.
    Several factors can cause leaf distortion or cupped leaves such as mineral defieciency, plant stress due to irregular watering, low humidity and insects. Here’s a good diagnostic key for poinsettia problems. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/poinsettia/corrective/a11.html

    Reply
61. Pat - February 12, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Pruning poinsettia bush
    We have an old poinsettia tree in our yard in Orange County CA. It currently is about 15′ tall with long, straggly branches with bracts at the tips and very few green leaves. After it bloomed last year we cut it back to about 4′ in height in an attempt to make it a shorter, more compact and denser plant. Is it possible to achieve this and, if so, when should we prune it and how far back do we cut?
    Thank you.

    Hi Pat
    It sounds like you’re on the right path. It’s best to prune poinsettia bush in the spring and again in August. This way you get any winter/cold damage in spring and reduce the size in the fall. A good rule of thumb is to prune 1/3 of the plant. Continue to pinch back during the growing season to keep the plant more compact and the desired height. If you want your bush to be 6ft tall in December, cut it back to 4 ft in August. don’t prune after Sept.1st if you want it to bloom at Christmas time. Make sure the bush is not exposed to street lights.

    Reply
62. Nancy Nowak - March 13, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Regrow poinsettia
    I have an older WInter Rose Poinsettia in the house. It is very woody in the lower part. Can I cut off the entire top and all the leaves? Will it develop new leaves? It is about a foot and a half tall.

    Also, I started three tops of that plant that broke off when it fell on the floor. I have them all growing in one pot. Should I separate them and have just one start in each pot.
    Thanks a lot
    Nancy Nowak

    Hi Nancy
    I cut my poinsettia down to 6 inch stems. It sat there for a few weeks but now wih the warmer weather it is starting to sprout at the leaf nodes.
    As far as the cuttings. It’s up to you. I would put each one in a pot so they won’t be crowded. On the other hand, if you want a full plant you can put all 3 in one. Make sure you trim it during the growing season to control the height. for more info see.. http://hortchat.com/info/reblooming-poinsettia

    Reply
63. Carol Oxner - September 1, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I would love to have an answer for this. My daughter gave us a pointsettia two years ago. It liked its location in our dinette, and with regular watering, bloomed again last year. However, it grew spindly and I trimmed all stems back to about 6.” Soon it showed tiny green eaves. But they are still only about 1/2 inch long after several months. I have fertilized it and transferred to a slightly larger pot. How can I get those little green leaves to start growing. Thanks. Carol

    Hi Carol
    I had the same problem this year. I had indications of new growth and then my poinsettia suddenly stopped growing. I suspected some type of root rot that stunted the growth. It was in the original soil and I suspect that it became too compacted which caused it to stay too wet for too long. Consequently, it resulted in root rot. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/poinsettia/corrective/c10.html
    Since you repotted your poinsettia, perhaps with a little time and luck it will start to grow.

    Reply
    1. Carol Oxner - September 13, 2012 at 2:07 pm

       Thanks so much. I don’t see any sign of rot, but also no sign of growth. I guess I just wait for a while?

       Your poinsettia should have lush growth by now.

       Reply
64. Georgiana Schad - September 15, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    Do pointsetta plants attract termites? I have a large bush planted near my pool and it looks like termites or caseings are flooting on the surface.
    appreciate any information you can send me. GK Schad

    Hi Georgiana
    I don’t think Poinsettias attract termites but they are attracted to moisture around the plant which could be the source of your problem.

    Reply
65. Megyn - October 4, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    Hello All,
    I am devestated…my beautiful 24″ high/wide potted Poinsettia succumbed to wind and gravity, pitching off the deck table on the very LAST day before it was to become a Winter Houseplant…UGH! I am so mad at me!
    Many main stems have broken (and are being shored up with popsicle sticks and tape), as well as several of the younger `green` branches that comprise the canopy. The smaller ones I`ve had luck `fixing` before wiith a toothpick and bread tie – they apparently healed themselves with the strengthening walls as the branch grew. But will the same thing work for a larger stem? The egdes of the breaks were long dried, so I carefully opened them to let the sap run before straightening and splinting. I am hoping this will re-start transpiration and I can save the plant, but if the tips show any wilt, off they come and over I start. (sorry, Yoda moment)
    The lower leaf scars have plenty of tiny green nubs just waiting to grow, and I`m seriously thinking of letting the poor thing go dormant. Taking cutting is not an option right now as Geraniums have taken over ev-er-y spare flat area of the kitchen…my friend was going to toss her ten (yes, ten) 12″ pots and 3` planter box full of gorgeous Pelargoniums…not while I`m around! They`re in full, furious bloom and the kitchen and front room look like a Cemetary Gift Shop, but I don`t care. It`s appropriate.
    So any suggestions on further medical attention would be very appreciated. I just drenched the pot yesterday, so I should have enough time to see if my emergency surgery worked or whether the plant will be joining the Dahlia roots downstairs…
    Megyn

    Hi Megyn
    I’d be interested in hearing if your poinsettia survived the surgery.

    Reply
66. robert anderson - October 13, 2012 at 11:30 am

    I left my Poinsettia Out in the cold for 3 weeks then I covered it wit ha blanket last night took the blanket off and all the leaves and leave steam are wilted and bent over like it is dying. I had it for 2 years. It is like 2 and a half feet tall in a big planter, anyway I can save it, or has it finally died?

    Hi Robert
    Your poinsettia is most likely suffering from cold damage and may not completely recover. Give it a few days to see what it does.

    Reply
67. Steph - November 24, 2012 at 2:17 am

    Curling leaves
    I have had a poinsettia for over two years, this will be its third Christmas. Recently, after starting the closet routine for it to turn red, the plant has started to decline.

    The leaves have curled into the center and all of the branches became heavy and started drooping. The leaves that have not fallen off yet are curled into the center of the leaf, but there are only about seven small leaves left that are semi-moist. I thought it was watered too much at the start of the cold season, so I re-potted it into a pot that drains out. We do have gnats in the house, and I sprayed it with an insecticide that mentioned that it was okay for poinsettias, but is it possible that I sprayed it too much?

    The poinsettia has a lot of sentimental value to me, and I would do anything to save it from dying. Is it okay to prune it back to 4-6 inches now, even though it is November? Is there anything you can recommend?
    Thank you for all of your help!

    Hi Steph
    Curling inward leaves can indicate a watering problem (too much) which can damage the roots and cause root rot which Poinsettia are susceptible to. Stress,thrips and a nutrient problem can also cause leaf cupping, especially if it has been growing in the same soil for several years.
    Pruning is usually done after the plant blooms, which is something you don’t have to worry about. It is also done in spring, when the days get longer and warmer. The plant is then ready to start growing again. Since you have no choice, you can try pruning the plant back to 6″. Be careful not to over water. If the roots are healthy enough and start to grow new leaves, keep it in bright light away from heating vents and cold drafts.
    Another idea is to water the plant with a fungicide soil drench that contains etridiazole, fosetyl-A1 or mefenoxam, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to help control any root rot.

    Reply
68. garry - November 30, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Shriveling leaves
    my leaves on my poinsettia have started shriveling up it looks like its declining what should i do

    Hi Garry
    There are a lot of factors that can cause poinsettia shriveling leaves. Here are a few that come to mind.. Is it getting enough water or too much water? Is it by a heating vent or window?

    Reply
69. Susan - November 30, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    Initiate bloom
    My son gave me a poinsetta last year, it has survived and has nice green leaves. I keep forgetting to put it in the dark for the recommended time so no red blooms yet. With it so close to Christmas, is there a quicker way to ensure blooming by Christmas Day, such as leaving it in the dark longer?

    Hi Susan
    Poinsettia need 8-10 weeks of short days( 10 hrs of light) and long nights (14 hrs of dark) to initiate blooming.see http://hortchat.com/info/reblooming-poinsettia

    Reply
    1. Susan - November 30, 2012 at 8:25 pm

       I meant to add that it gets dark here by 5ish now, will it bloom soon or do I still need to move it to a dark place. It is a very healthy plant but I would love to see it bloom this Christmas.

       Sorry it won’t bloom in time for Christmas.

       Reply
70. gerry - December 22, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    I received a poinsettia as a gift. The green leaves are a very dark green and the red leaves are also a very dark red. Both leaves are falling off and the some of the red leaves have black spots. The center buds are not a bright yellow like I usually see. I have not watered it since I received it 6 days ago because the soil feels moist. I took the foil wrap off the pot today. Is it a water, light , cold or fungal problem or something else? It is a large plant that has probably lost almost half of it’s leaves. I would really like to save it if possible.

    Hi Gerry
    It can be a combination of several problems. It sounds like your poinsettia is “past its prime” and may have been exposed to cold temperatures which would cause leaf drop. They are tropical plants and like a warm, humid environment. Keep it away from heating vents or cold drafts. Allow the soil to dry out a bit and resume watering when the pot is light or the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Don’t let the plant sit in water.

    Reply
71. terry price - January 7, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    do poinsettias spread disease amongst themselves??…I found a poinsettia in the dumpster at work, i’m trying to nurse it back to health but i’m scared to bring it home because it’s so sickly looking at this time… might it have acquired some disease it can spread to the other two poisettias i have at home??…if it’s dead or dying can it adversely affect the health of my other two poinsettias??

    HI Terry
    I doubt that the disease will spread from one plant to another unless you have them close to each other. If you are apprehensive about the poinsettia spreading a disease, keep it in another room. The plant may look sickly to many other factors than disease such as overwatering, underwatering or cold damage which is more of a cultural problem. I would cut back the stems and check the roots. Make sure they are not watersoaked. Good luck in bringing it back to a healthy plant.

    Reply
    1. terry price - February 4, 2013 at 3:31 pm

       thanks!!

       Reply
72. terry price - February 4, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    when i pulled this one poinsettia out of the dumpster it looked dead but was not…most of the “branches”, or whatever you call them have come back okay…not great but looking good…but there about two “branches” where all the branchts are horrible looking…shriveled up and dark…really sick looking…would it harm the plant to just entirely remove those branches??…just take a scissor and cut off the sick-looking ones that haven’t recovered?…i’ve had it at home for about a month…also, why did all the green leaves fall off? (they had already fallen off by the time that I found it)…thanks for any information you guys might have I want to nurse this poor thing back to health…

    Hi Terry
    Yes, cut off the sickly stems. Leaf drop can occur from lack of water, too much water and cold temperatures. Hard to say what happened to your poinsettia.

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    1. Paschendale - February 19, 2013 at 11:03 am

       I have a poinsettia at work that is over a year old. I pruned it back hard about the first of February in 2012 and let it be, other than watering and occasional fertilizer. It rapidly regrew and looked fabulous and bushy and dark green again within a very few months. I have never tried to control the dark/light balance in any way and it went red on its own just before Christmas and is still red as of today. I don’t believe it is really required (the period of darkness, I mean) unless the plant is sitting in full light anyway. I have also had others at home (one of which is 3 years old and still living) that have also gone red again the following year on their own.

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    2. terry - February 23, 2013 at 8:23 pm

       Fungus gnats
       some of those insecticides that claim to be safe are not so safe…one of my poinsettias had fungus gnats because i had overwatered it…i sprayed it with some insecticide/fungicide and a day later it’s like it dropped dead…all the leaves and brachts wilted…it’s horrible…i don’t know if it’s dead but it’s possible you sprayed it with too much…don’t know what can be done..

       Hi Terry
       It is important to read the label on the chemical that you are using. If the plant is not listed then its not a good idea to use it. It may also be that the plant reacted to overwatering. Poinsettia have sensitive roots and are easily susceptible to root rot. If it looks like it has any life in it, you can try to repot it in fresh soil and see what happens. it may or may not recover.
       For fungus gnats, a soil application instead of spraying the foliage is best; as the gnats live in the soil. see http://hortchat.com/info/fungus-gnats for more info.

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    3. terry - February 23, 2013 at 8:24 pm

       that’s horrible…did it heal back up??

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73. terry - February 23, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    i was an idiot and watered my first poinsettia too much, which resulted in root rot disease, i’m pretty sure of this because i dug her up to emergency-transplant her today and the roots are brown…not dark brown, but brown…the lower leaves and brachts had been yellowing and falling off for the last couple weeks, and the plant developed fungus gnats because of the overwatering (i’m sure)…but the really bad part came when i got some pyrethrine and heavily sprayed the plant with it because i thought it was safe…the fungus gnats disappeared but two days later, pretty much all the leaves and brachts are sad and droopy looking, poor dear looks like it’s dying…assuming I used too much of the insecticide, can the plant recover from this inadvertent poisoning?…i sprayed the leaves and brachts with water but didn’t want to do to much of that…can over-sprayed plants recover??…and can the root rot go away if you start watering properly??…

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74. terry price - February 25, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    in order to rid her of fungus gnats, i over-sprayed one of my poinsettias with this stuff called pyrethrine, which i thought was safe for the plant but i guess is not…two days later, all of its red brachts are wilted and they have black and white spots on them, they look and feel lifeless…the entire plant looks lifeless…oddly, not one of the brachts or leaves have dropped off…also oddly, the green leaves don’t look half bad all things considered…only a few of them have curled and wilted but the other dozen or so don’t look much different than before…my question is, what should I do to save the plant?…i don’t much care if or when it blooms, i just want it to live…it has sentimental value to me, the first one i’ve owned it was left at my work in mid-december…the damage is probably already done but is there anything i can do to keep it alive?…would removing the black/wilted brachts be a good idea? thanks

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75. Brenda - May 11, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Help! My husband rescued a poinsettia about 5 years ago. I have taken such good care of this plant and have gotten red leaves on it every year. However i think i overwatered it because all the leaves turned yellow and are falling off. I replanted it to a bigger pot with brand new soil and have been watching so carefully that its not overwatered. Do you think it will come back? I am heartbroken over this and i dont want it to die. Is there anything i can do for it to save it? Thank you!

    Hi Brenda
    Sounds like you did what can be done. Keep it in filtered light until you see some new growth then slowly move it to brighter light. It may slowly recover in the warm summer weather. Hope for the best.

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    1. Jeanie - November 7, 2013 at 9:27 pm

       My twin has this 13 year old Poinsettia and it stunk really bad so I transplanted it into new dirt now it looks like its dieing and now im going to be on my sister bad list, how can i get it to come back from the shock?

       Hi Jeanie
       It sounds as if the plant was in trouble before you transplanted it. If it stuck, then there was some root rot going on from to much water. The poinsettia may be showing signs of transplant shock and drop some of its leaves. Give it some time to recup and grow new roots. Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. Do not let the pot sit in water.

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76. jesscarc - October 10, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    I have a huge poinsettia that is just one season old. I live in North Carolina and have had it outside for the season and it has flourished. My husband came in and brought it to my attention to check it that one of the stems did not look right. Okay let me see if I can explain this. It is one whole stem growing from the soil and not from another stem. The leaves on this stem seem to be drooping or wilting but the rest of the plant is flawless. I would like to know what I should do. We have had a couple of nights that got below 55 degrees but I would think that all of the plant would be the same. Should I go ahead and move it inside for the season and also what should I do about that part of the plant? Should I completely cut it off????? Please help me I don’t want to lose our baby!! She is almost as tall as I am!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    HI Jess
    My guess is that the one stem is new growth which has not been “hardened off” and is more sensitive to colder temperatures. If it doesn’t recover, cut the wilted stem off. Poinsettia like temperatures between 60-70F, so it’s time to move it indoors before the colder weather kills it. Unfortunately, you cannot cut your poinsettia down at this time because you will cut off any flower potential. Be sure to trim it back in the spring to shape and control the height. for more info see

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