Poinsettia Care

A poinsettia plant is the classic holiday decoration and a great gift for holiday parties and visits. Available in shades of red, white, pink, gold, and variegated options, with the right care, you will get to enjoy your plant in bloom for six weeks to two months. Here is how to ensure your poinsettia looks it's best throughout the holiday season.

Place your poinsettia in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent burns that can discolor the bracts. Grown in the wild poinsettia does tolerate direct sun, but greenhouse grown plants have learned to tolerate and thrive in indirect light. Do avoid dark, shady locations as the plant can grow leggy.

• Tip: If your plant gets leggy, cut the stems and use in a floral arrangement.

Poinsettia's are happiest between 65-70° Fahrenheit. Do not expose plants to temperatures below 55° or above 70° Fahrenheit. If you're comfortable, so are they. Avoid cold drafts or excessive heat. Keep away from fireplaces, air ducts or outside doors, and do not store them outside in winter months. Your poinsettias will be wrapped by our staff before transporting. It's important that cold exposure is kept to a minimum.

Poinsettia prefer consistent, light moisture, but not heavy soggy soil. Provide a cup of water every 2-3 days, but check that the soil is not overly wet. Dump out any excess water that might be sitting in the saucer. It's best if you can use water that's been allowed to sit for 24 hours so chemicals, like chorine, can evaporate out of the water. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry that they wilt. If this happens and leaves start to drop, there is no recovering. Compost the plant and start again next year!

According to the ASPCA, the poinsettia plant is not very toxic to pets, but if a stem is broken, the plant emits a white, milky sap that can be irritating to mouth and skin. If your pet did eat pieces of the plant, he or she might get an upset stomach, but most likely, nothing worse. It's still a good idea to call your Vet, just in case. Better safe than sorry!

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