One of the most popular winter holiday flowers is the poinsettia. The range of colors has expanded from the familiar red to pastel yellow as well as vibrant bi-colors. A common question from people giving or receiving a poinsettia as a gift is how to properly care for it.
Poinsettias are tropical plants, so they like as much direct sunlight as possible. Place the plant near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable.
The optimal temperature to keep the poinsettia in bloom is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below that, it will not hurt the plant. It can, however, cause the leaves to drop prematurely.
Refrain from watering on any set schedule. It is better to let the plant tell you when to water by touching the soil. If it feels dry, then add water. Water until it drains out the bottom. Be sure you do not let the plant sit in water.
With year-round care, you can get a plant to perform again. Water it until mid-spring, then let it dry out and allow the stems to shrivel. Keep it cool. At the end of spring, cut all growth to a couple of inches above the soil and repot it in a larger container with new soil. Water well and keep it warm, feeding it with houseplant fertilizer when new growth appears. A month later, move the plant outside to a shady location, pinching out the growing tips in midsummer, before returning it indoors. Give it a sunny spot, water and feed regularly; then from mid-autumn, keep the plant in total darkness between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. It will then re-flower and produce colorful bracts.
Keeping poinsettias year round can be quite an ambitious task. The good news is that if you are unable to sustain the plant all year, you can easily purchase another when they are in season. Tis the Season!