Poinsettia care: How to look after your plant from shop to home and all season long

Poinsettia care

Poinsettia care can be a little bit challenging.

Poinsettias are often bought as temporary plants, for display over the Christas period only, and then discarded. But with a little bit of care, you can extend the life of your Poinsettia and keep it for seasons to come.

Native to Mexico and Central America, Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are tropical plants with striking, colourful foliage that looks like flower petals surrounding the tiny true flowers at the centre. Poinsettias can be a beautiful centrepiece, adding a warm, welcoming touch to living rooms, holiday dining tables, or hallways.

Read on to find out how, with the right conditions, this plant can brighten any indoor space well beyond the holiday season.

Note: I have used AI to generate some of the images in this piece to provide some design inspiration to show how you can decorate your home with Poinsettias.

Take care when buying a poinsettia: How to stop the plant collapsing before you even get it home

A couple of years ago just before Christmas, I bought two beautiful Poinsettias from our local supermarket. I was thrilled with them. They were large, strong looking with beautiful scarlet bracts in peak condition.

I carried them carefully from shop to car and car to home. But, to my dismay, by the time I got them home, they had both collapsed. The stems were drooping over as if they needed a good drink.

I wasn’t too worried at first. I realised that they had gone from the warm of the shop to the cold of the outdoors and the car, and that they had probably been shocked by the temperature changes.

I assumed that once indoors in the warm, they would perk up.

But they never did.

So, I can’t write about growing Poinstettias, which you will probably want to start doing in winter, without spelling out a few key precautions you should take when you buy the plant.

Hopefully, this will help ensure that your plant arrives home in good condition and continues to thrive indoors.

red poinsettia

As we’ve seen, Poinsettias are quite sensitive plants. So here are some thoughts on buying the right plant and getting it home safely.

  • Choose a healthy plant: Look for poinsettias with vibrant, undamaged bracts (the colourful “leaves”) and dark green foliage. The tiny yellow flowers at the centre should be fresh and not dropping; these indicate the plant is still at its peak. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or wilted bracts, as these may indicate stress or poor health.
  • Check for pests and diseases: Inspect the plant for any signs of pests like whiteflies or aphids, as well as signs of mildew or rot. It’s best to start with a clean, healthy plant to avoid bringing pests into your home.
poinsettia care

Temperature sensitivity and transporting safely

Poinsettias are tropical plants and suffer in cold conditions. Exposure to cold or rapid temperature fluctuations between the shop and home can cause leaf drop, bract discolouration, or even plant death. Here are steps to minimise temperature-related risks:

  1. Ask for a protective sleeve: Even a short exposure to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can harm Poinsettias. Request a protective paper or plastic sleeve from the shop to wrap the plant before leaving. This extra layer shields the plant from temperature extremes and harsh winds.
  2. Minimise time outdoors: Plan your shopping so the plant isn’t exposed to cold temperatures for long. Try to transport the plant directly home without stopping off elsewhere.
  3. Warm up the car first: Before placing the poinsettia in your vehicle, warm up the car so it isn’t exposed to a sudden temperature drop. Place the plant in the car, not in the boot, where temperatures tend to be colder.
  4. Avoid extreme temperatures: Keep the poinsettia away from direct air conditioning or heating vents during transport. Poinsettias do best in stable temperatures, ideally between 65–75°F (18–24°C), so avoid exposure to sudden blasts of heat or cold air.
  5. Handle with care: Hold the plant by the pot, not the foliage, as the bracts and leaves can be quite fragile. When carrying it home, avoid bumping it against doors or other objects, which can cause bracts to bruise or drop.

Arriving home

Once you’re home, remove the protective sleeve promptly to allow the plant to breathe. Place it in a warm, draft-free location out of direct sunlight, and let it acclimate for a few hours before watering if necessary. Hopefully, if you follow these instructions, your Poinsettias won’t suffer the fate that mine did.

poinsettia care

Growing conditions

Poinsettias are not especially low maintenance plants. They thrive with attention to light, warmth, and humidity but can suffer if left in suboptimal conditions. With care, they’ll remain vibrant and healthy throughout the year.

  • Light requirements: Bright, indirect light
  • Water requirements: Moderate, allowing soil to dry slightly between watering
  • Humidity requirements: Moderate to high humidity preferred
  • Temperature requirements: 65–75°F (18–24°C); avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C)
  • Potting soil requirements: Well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5)
  • Fertiliser requirements: Balanced, water-soluble fertiliser every 2–4 weeks during growing season
  • Propagation: Stem cuttings
  • Repotting: Annually in spring or early summer
  • Pruning: After blooming to shape and encourage new growth
poinsettia care

All about the plant

Poinsettias are unique for their colourful bracts, which are modified leaves, not petals, and they change colour based on photoperiodism (responding to light and darkness cycles). These plants are a seasonal favourite, particularly around Christmas.

  • Scientific name: Euphorbia pulcherrima
  • Meaning of scientific name: “Pulcherrima” means “very beautiful” in Latin
  • Common names: Poinsettia, Christmas star
  • Plant family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Origin: Native to Mexico and Central America
  • Type of plant: Perennial shrub (grown as an annual by some)
  • Size (indoors): 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) in height
  • Foliage: Large, pointed leaves, usually dark green with bright, colourful bracts
  • Flower: Small yellow flowers (cyathia) in the centre of the bracts; blooms in winter
  • Fruit: Rarely produces fruit indoors
  • Toxicity: Mildly toxic to pets and humans; sap can cause skin irritation and, if ingested, may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset (according to the ASPCA)
poinsettia care

How to grow the plant

Light

Poinsettias require bright, indirect light to maintain their colour and health. Place them near an east- or west-facing window where they receive good morning or afternoon light but avoid direct, harsh sunlight as it may scorch the leaves. Low light can cause bracts to lose colour, while excessive direct light can damage the foliage.

Soil and feeding

A well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix (such as a cactus or succulent mix) is ideal for poinsettias. To enhance soil drainage, consider adding perlite or sand. Feed poinsettias every 2–4 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser, especially during their active growing phase from spring to early autumn.

Poinsettias
Poinsettias by Muffet is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Watering

Water poinsettias when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering may cause wilting and leaf drop. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, and avoid letting water sit in the saucer to prevent soggy soil.

Pruning

Prune poinsettias after their bloom period, usually in late winter or early spring. Cut back about a third of the plant’s height to encourage compact, bushy growth. Prune lightly in summer to shape the plant, removing any straggly growth.

poinsettia care

Propagation

Poinsettias are best propagated from stem cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Follow these steps:

  1. Take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy stem, just below a leaf node.
  2. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top leaves intact.
  3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
  4. Plant in a small pot with a well-draining potting mix.
  5. Keep the soil moist and place it in indirect light until roots develop.
poinsettia care

Common problems & solutions

  • Leaves and shoots: Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering; allow the soil to dry slightly.
  • Roots: Root rot is common with poor drainage; use a pot with drainage holes.
  • Pests: Whiteflies and spider mites can be problematic; treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
  • Diseases: Powdery mildew can appear; improve airflow around the plant and avoid wetting the foliage.
poinsettia care

Winter care

Poinsettias appreciate a slightly cooler, consistent environment in winter. Maintain temperatures around 65–70°F (18–21°C) and avoid placing them near cold drafts or heating vents. Reduce watering slightly but don’t let the soil dry out completely. If aiming for rebloom next season, start exposing the plant to shorter daylight hours in late autumn, with 12–14 hours of darkness each night.

poinsettia care

Other relevant plants

Several other members of the Euphorbia genus make good houseplants, including:

  • Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns): Known for its small, colourful flowers and easy-care requirements.
  • Euphorbia tirucalli (Pencil Cactus): An unusual, succulent-like plant with thin, stick-like stems.
  • Euphorbia trigona (African Milk Tree): A tall, columnar plant with triangular, green stems and small leaves, ideal for bright indoor spaces.

These Euphorbia plants, like the poinsettia, thrive in bright indoor conditions and add a unique touch to indoor collections, each with distinctive textures and forms.

By understanding poinsettia care and its requirements, you can enjoy this vibrant plant well beyond the holiday season.

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