Poinsettia Care Guide

Poinsettias are an excellent way to bring festive color indoors for the holidays. By following a few simple care guidelines, they will maintain their beautiful color through the season.

Water

Examine the soil daily and when the surface is dry to the touch, water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. If a saucer is used, discard any water that collects in it. Overly wet soil lacks sufficient air and can result in root injury, making standing water dangerous to your poinsettia.

A wilted plant may drop its leaves prematurely, so check the soil frequently. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering. If wilting does occur, immediately water with the recommended amount and then water again 5 minutes later.

Light

If possible, place your poinsettia near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. A window that faces south, east or west is better than one facing north. Do not let any part of the plant touch the cold windowpane because this may injure it.

Temperature

To keep the plant in bloom, maintain it at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees during the daylight hours and, if possible, move it to a cooler place at night. Because root rot disease is more prevalent at temperatures below 60 degrees, do not put the poinsettia in a room colder than this. Also avoid exposing the plant to hot or cold drafts, which may cause premature leaf drop.