Poinsettia is, without a doubt, one of the most popular plants during the winter season. So much so that it has become a Christmas holiday staple! They’re revered for their vivid red and green colors, which transport us right into the holiday spirit.
But how did a tropical plant native from Mexico become one of the most important symbols of the Christmas holiday, you might ask? We’ll first step back in time to understand the story behind the poinsettia plant as a Christmas symbol before sharing some tips on caring for your poinsettia at home.
A Little Bit Of History…
In Mexico, the gorgeous plant is called Flor de la Noche Buena, which translates in English to Flower of the Holy Night. It was named after its striking resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem.
But guess what? The beautiful flower was once considered a weed.
According to the legend, Pepita, a little girl too poor to bring a gift to baby Jesus during the Christmas service, got a bouquet of weeds instead. The angels felt for her and decided to turn the weed into stunning red flowers. And this explains why it’s now associated with the holiday season in Mexico. Back in America, Paul Ecke Sr., a Californian horticulturist, discovered the story of the beautiful flower and decided to cultivate tens of thousands during the holiday season when other flowers were scarce. His son took over in the 1960s and his tremendous success explains why it’s now one of the most popular Christmas plants in the US!
So, now that we’ve learned how the poinsettia plant became a holiday staple, let’s see how to take care of it so that it brightens up your home during the holiday season and blooms again next year.
Buy The Right Poinsettia
The first tip about purchasing the right poinsettia for your home is to ensure the plant has a bright coloration. Poinsettia can vary in color from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red. Let's take red for example... when choosing the perfect plant, take a close look at the flowers. Every single bract (petal) should be fully red, with no other colorations. For instance, if you spot some green bits, the poinsettia might not last until the end of the holiday festivities.
Another thing to keep in mind when going to a nursery to buy a Poinsettia is that, as mentioned before, the plant is native to Mexico. This means that it doesn’t like cold drafts and cold temperatures in general. Therefore, avoid purchasing a Poinsettia that is placed in an area where cold wind flows through, like next to a door or window. That’s because, if you do, you might find that the plant doesn’t keep its plumped and bright red look until the end of the holiday season.
Some nurseries will wrap up your poinsettia in decorative paper or give you something to wrap it up, and that’s great. As discussed, the plant doesn’t like the cold, even for short periods. Wrapping it up before taking it to your car or home will protect it from the cold and ensure it lasts for up to 8 weeks.
Lastly, ensure that the blooms at the center of the flower are well-formed and strong.
Control The Lighting and Temperature
We will never say it enough; the poinsettia thrives in warm temperatures. So, ideally, keep your indoor temperature between 65 and 70 degrees F.
Also, don’t put it too close to a door or window (to avoid cold drafts) or a heater. If you do, the leaves in proximity to the heater, door, or window will be affected, and this, in turn, will shorten the lifespan of your plant. However, it’s essential to give the plant at least six hours of bright indirect light a day for it to thrive.
So, try to find an area that isn’t too close to a window but still receives plenty of daylight.
Watering
There are no strict rules when it comes to watering a Poinsettia. If your home is very humid, you might need to water it less often than in a place with dry air.
However, like with other plants, underwatering or overwatering is bad! So, the best way to assess whether your plant needs water is to feel the top of the potting soil. It should be moist and cool but never wet or soggy. If it feels dry, you know it’s time to water!
Also, if you lift the pot and feel like it’s incredibly light, it could indicate that the soil is too dry. As a good practice, check the soil every day.
Fertilization
If your plant is doing really well, there’s no need to fertilize it, as adding fertilizer will disrupt and shorten the flowering period.
However, the idea is to keep your plant for next year and ensure it blooms again. That’s why you need to fertilize it after the holiday season.
We’d recommend using an all-purpose organic plant fertilizer.
Post-Holiday Care
This brings us to our last point; post-holiday care. To grow your plant past the holiday season, you’ll need to repot it.
Here are the steps to follow:
Keep watering the plant until it stops flowering.
Keep your poinsettia in an area where it will receive at least 6 hours of bright light daily.
Fertilize the plant once it’s not flowering anymore.
Around mid-spring, pinch back the stems to 6-8 inches.
In late May, repot your poinsettia and place it in a cooler spot.
Keep on fertilizing your plant and let it grow throughout the summer.
If you want to grow your poinsettia outdoors, you can do so when the nighttime temperatures exceed 50 degrees F.
Pinch back the tips an inch or two in August.
The last few weeks before Christmas are critical. You’ll need to force darkness onto your plant so that you can time its flowering. From late September to early October, your poinsettias should be in the dark for 12 to 15 hours a day.
After two weeks, you should resume your regular care routine and start seeing the plant flower out closer to the holiday season.
Poinsettias are gorgeous plants and make for the perfect decoration during the holiday festivities. But they’re also great perennial plants that can add a pop of color to a space and inject life into your home. So, follow these simple tips, and you’ll be able to keep your poinsettia flowering every year.
And if you have any other tips to share about caring for poinsettia, or have any questions don’t hesitate to comment in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
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