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Poinsettias: Holiday Beauty and Care Tips

Introduction
The poinsettia, introduced to the U.S. by Ambassador Joel Poinsett, is a classic holiday plant. It comes in various colors, including red, pink, gold, and white. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, honoring Joel Poinsett, who passed away on this date in 1851.

Keeping Poinsettias Beautiful During the Holidays

To keep your poinsettia thriving through the holiday season, follow these tips:

• Avoid Freezing: Don’t leave your poinsettia in a cold car. Bring it inside as soon as possible after purchase.
• Lighting: Place it in a spot with bright, natural light, but avoid direct sunlight.
• Temperature: Keep it in a draft-free area, away from heat sources. Ideal temperatures are around 65°F during the day and 60-65°F at night.
• Watering: Check the soil every few days. Water when the surface feels dry. Remove pot covers or foil before watering and let the pot drain. Don’t let the plant sit in water.

Care After Christmas

• January to March: Continue watering whenever the surface soil is dry.
• April: Reduce watering so the soil dries out between waterings. Move the plant to a cooler spot, like a basement or heated garage, around 60°F.
• May: Cut stems back to 4 inches and repot in a larger container with fresh potting soil. Return it to a sunny window and keep it at 65-75°F. Water when the soil is dry and begin fertilizing every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• June: Move the plant outside to a partially shaded spot. Continue watering and fertilizing.
• July: Pinch back each stem by about an inch to encourage a bushier plant.
• August: Pinch or cut new stems again, leaving 3-4 leaves on each shoot. Bring the plant back indoors to a sunny window. Keep watering and fertilizing.

Preparing for Re-bloom

• September: Maintain regular watering and fertilizing. Ensure the temperature stays above 65°F.
• October: To get your poinsettia to bloom again, it needs about 10 weeks of darkness. From October 1st, keep it in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am. Use an opaque box or cover to block out light. During the day, return it to a sunny window.
• November: Around the end of November, stop the darkness treatment and let the plant stay in the window. You should see flower buds forming.

December: Stop fertilizing by December 15. Continue watering and caring for your plant as you did when you first brought it home. If all goes well, it should bloom again and be ready to celebrate the next holiday season!

Merry Christmas again!

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