Once summer is over, bring your plants indoors before nighttime temperatures … Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. Water as usual until early April, then stop watering and allow the soil to dry out. its facing n/e window. Consuming a significant amount can … It’s possible to re-bloom your poinsettia plant after Christmas with a few simple tricks. I've never had any luck with this plant after Christmas. If given good care in the home, poinsettias should remain attractive for 2 to 3 months. It is all part of the perennial’s natural cycle. Joel Roberts Poinsett was born in 1779 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Poinsettia are cheerful way to celebrate Christmas and show them that you care and appreciate them. DON’T Forget to Protect the Plant in the Car. Trim again as needed in summer (typically around the first to middle part of July), pinching about an inch of terminal growth from each stem. How you provide this is where the "how much trouble you're willing to go to" comes in. It should be neither dripping wet nor totally dry, and if it is, … I watered them when soil feel dry in touch. Since the “flowers” (actually brightly colored leaves called bracts) easily last 3 months, your poinsettia can then be the star of your holiday season display for a long, long time! Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. These colored leaves only appear during days with the shortest daylight hours. Read on to find tips on how to care for a poinsettia after Christmas in this article so you can, hopefully, enjoy your plant year round. January 4, 2019. Christmas Poinsettia Care | Year-Round Tips. Most people will keep their poinsettia until the flowers die off a few weeks into the New Year and then throw them away. Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. Re-blooming a plant is never easy and re-blooming a poinsettia plant is no exception. Simply stick it in a closet or cover with a large box every evening and then return the plant to its sunny window during the remainder part of the day. Excess water in soil can lead to its roots rotting. By Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture . Avoid temperatures under 12 degrees Celsius (53 degrees Fahrenheit). In May, cut back the foliage so that only about four inches of stem remains, then repot the plant in fresh potting mix. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. After Christmas poinsettia care begins with suitable growing conditions. It's not ideal to get the Poinsettia's leaves wet. Inspect the plant for bugs (most plants won't show bugs in the greenhouse but they will show up after about two weeks in the home). With a little care it can be encouraged to return year after year. Do we keep the plant or toss it? Poinsettia was named after the United States ambassador to Mexico Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851), who played a crucial role in making the Poinsettia into the most popular Christmas plant. Poinsettia Care After Christmas. By this time, it should be getting cool enough outside, 55-60 F. or 12-15 C., to warrant bringing the plant indoors near a sunny window. Do not let any part of the plant touch the cold windowpane because this may injure it. Just follow these simple rules: Light: Place your poinsettias in an area where they'll receive a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day. Poinsettia has a variety of names: a scientific, Euphorbia pulcherrima, a scholar, Euphorbia the elegant, as well as many market and commons, including Christmas Star, Christmas Flower, Painted Leaf, Lobster Plant and Mexican Flameleaf. Poinsettia plants grow best during the winter months, which is why they are the most popular potted plant during the holidays. You must water the plant carefully. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). They are not difficult to care for during the Year, but it is a challenge to get them to flower again next Winter. Once again, maintain similar indoor temperatures as before (65 to 70 F. or 18 to 21 C.) and continue watering and fertilizing. Temperature . i have my poinsettia plant on my kitchen table and the leaves are falling off. Some stores sell poinsettias in cellophane cones that … After-Christmas Care for Poinsettias Continue to keep your poinsettias in a place with plenty of light and water as directed above. After earning a degree in organic chemistry, which initiated my love of plants and growing them, it occurred to me that Poinsettias were the most unlikely flower to symbolize Christmas. The plants will enter a dormancy period and will begin to lose leaves—this is normal. To force a poinsettia to re-flower, continue normal watering of the soil until the first of April, then allow it to dry out gradually — but don’t let the stems shrivel up. How to Rebloom Poinsettias After Christmas. Do not worry if you are unable to get your poinsettia to rebloom your first time. How to Re-Bloom Your Poinsettia Plant . Here's what you need to do. After Christmas, continue to care for your plant as before. By the end of May you … Poinsettias need six hours of bright, indirect sunlight on a daily basis. Why are poinsettias associated with Christmas? how to grow healthy plants indoors and outdoors. Poinsettias love sunshine and 'high' light: They are native to Taxco, Mexico so you know that, as a desert plant, they need lots of sun. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. The poinsettias are mainly known and recognised during the Christmas season; many of you think that once Christmas season is gone their poinsettia will eventually die, but this isn’t correct, which is why we have created this poinsettia care guide. If you want to go the extra mile, you can take a few extra steps to ensure your plant flowers again in time for the next Christmas. Most people will keep their poinsettia until the flowers die off a few weeks into the New Year and then throw them away. The most effective way to look after it is to water frequently but with not much quantity whilst the plant is in vegetative growth. It owes this to its colored bracts that surround the flowers. These plants can be kept alive and healthy year round with just a bit of special care. However, with proper care, your holiday poinsettia should continue to put out blooms, or in the least remain attractive for weeks after. They are not difficult to care for during the Year, but it is a challenge to get them to flower again next Winter. Trim off two to three inches to promote side branching, allowing 3 or 4 leaves to remain on each shoot. This video will show you how to look after your Poinsettia after its finished flowering and how to prune the plant. Do watch for shriveled brown stems, which are an indication that your lovely Christmas flower may be dying a slow death. The poinsettia (/ p ɔɪ n ˈ s ɛ t i ə / or / p ɔɪ n ˈ s ɛ t ə /) (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. Note: You can remove any faded or dried parts of the plant anytime. Don’t be alarmed, your plant will not look very healthy at this point. This way the water will trickle through the stones and get rid of the excess. For continual bloom of your poinsettia care following Christmas, the plant also needs day temps between 65 and 70 degrees F. (18 and 21 C.) and slightly cooler at night, though keep it above 60 F. (15 C.) to avoid leaf drop. . Reply. To keep the poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 to 75 F during the day. How to Keep a Poinsettia Going After Christmas. If the leaves are turning black, your Christmas star is rotting due to bad watering. It is all part of the perennial’s natural cycle. Nothing screams Christmas like poinsettias! Instead of buying plastic Christmas decorations, you can include some plants in your house. Just follow these simple rules: Light: Place your poinsettias in an area where they'll receive a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day. This will lull the plant into its dormant phase. Pair Poinsettias With Companion Plants. How to Remove Scratches from your Glass Ceramic Stovetop, How to Remove Coconut Oil Stains from Sheets, How To Remove Oil Stains From Leather Shoes, How to Descale a Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine. If you don't want the plant to suffer any harm, leave it in a place where not many people walk by, as it can break easily or they can make leaves fall. Euphorbia pulcherrima is a Poinsettia or Christmas plant sometimes known as Christmas star, lobster plant, Mexican flame leaf, painted leaf and is native to Mesoamerica. Looking to keep your poinsettia plants looking healthy and beautiful all through the Christmas season this year? someone told me to cut it down and put it in the closet until next oct. and bring out and water and feed it. How to Take Care Of A Poinsettia After Christmas. Be careful when transporting poinsettias from the shop to your home in the winter, as the cold outdoor temperatures can damage the foliage. Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March. There is no environment change as its winter time here temperature is 15-18 degree Celsius here. In early summer, when nighttime temperatures remain above 50 F. (10 C.), you can move the plant outdoors (in its pot) in a slightly shady location. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is THE most famous seasonal plant on the planet. Depending on when you purchased your poinsettia plant, it should not be necessary to fertilize it at any point before the holidays, while they are still blooming. Poinsettia, or “Christmas star”, invades garden stores like gremlins when the end-of-year feasts come nigh. Now comes the fun part… getting it to bloom in time for Christmas. This is your Poinsettia Care 101 Guide. Give it another pruning towards the first part of September. Pretty Poinsettias – Care and Display Ideas for Your Christmas Home. In order to produce vibrantly colored bracts (or leaves) after a dormant period, your poinsettia will need to spend 12-14 hours a night in total darkness between September and November. That being said, once the holidays are over, many of us are left with questions about what to do next. There is little doubt the poinsettias are the Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. A good solution is to put a bed of stones or pebbles and place the pot on it. Keep it in its light, warm position. If you obtain a poinsettia for your home, place it near a sunny window where it will have the most available sunlight. Fertilize your poinsettia after the holidays. If possible, check the soil before buying. Water as usual until early April, then stop watering and allow the soil to dry out. They are a given in the Christmas season as Whams' Last Christmas is. In order for the poinsettia bracts to turn color again, the plant must be kept in complete darkness for 12-15 hours from the end of September until color shows in the bracts in early to mid-December. Continue to water the plant until about the start of April. Since the “flowers” (actually brightly colored leaves called bracts) easily last 3 months, your poinsettia can then be the star of your holiday season display for a long, long time! Uncover it again the following morning when it's time to meet its sunlight requirements. In May, cut back the foliage so that only about four inches of stem remains, then repot the plant in fresh potting mix. If the plant is in a pot, we should avoid the water getting to the pot. Cut the poinsettia back to about 8 inches in height in late March or early April. At night the temperature can be allowed to fall slightly lower. Dreamstime. Written by West Coast Gardens. Poinsettia Plant Care - How To Keep your Poinsettia Flower Alive After Christmas Here's how to take care of your poinsettia plant so it stays alive after the Christmas holidays. Water again only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture. Poinsettia, known as the Christmas flower, is a great Christmas decoration for your house that you can keep even after the holiday fun is over. And, with good care, a poinsettia plant can maintain its beauty for much longer than the Christmas season. Poinsettias have been the Christmas plant for almost a century and are as popular today as they were a hundred years ago. Come Christmas time, poinsettias are sold left and right. Remember, though, that foliage is pretty too. To take care of a Poinsettia after Christmas properly you should avoid air-streams and leaving it close to radiators or heaters. Almost every year for Christmas I buy a poinsettia for the holidays. Why Is It Bad Luck To Have A Cactus In The House? How to care for a poinsettia – tips for keeping your poinsettia alive and thriving throughout the holidays. http://www.bestindoortropicalhawaiianhouseplants.com/4.html Care of Poinsettia Plants after Christmas. A good idea is to leave the pot on a plate with water, but with stones in the bottom so that the roots are not in direct contact with the water, as they would rot. If you have already been providing your poinsettia with a bright, sunny location, such as a windowsill or a perch near an open window, you have a good head start. To keep your poinsettia healthy and beautiful for a long time, you have to consider just a few tips and tricks Once you bring your poinsettia plants home, ... Christmas: Back to Basic Care! A red poinsettia in a foil-wrapped container is still the norm … Poinsettias need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts. Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. Poinsettia's make a great Christmas gifts, so ensuring you pick one that will continue to look its best throughout the silly season is essential. Read on to get our best poinsettia care tips! After Thanksgiving (the perfect time to begin getting excited about Christmas… Read more on Suite 101: How to choose and look after your Poinsettia. 2. ty gbu. While most people purchase poinsettias for there attractive Christmas display, they are perennial plants and can be kept all year round, in the hopes that they will flower again the following winter. Poinsettia care: how to keep this Christmas plant alive year round Anna Cottrell . A popular winter flower, the Christmas Star is not just an annual plant. Post Christmas Care. But with a little care, poinsettias can be brought back to bloom year after year. Poinsettia Care After Christmas. Give them enough sun, warmth, and water and your poinsettia will provide perfect seasonal color. Flowering actually begins after about two months of this short-day treatment, about a month before Christmas. But still I found upper new leaves are getting black and lower leaves are falling. To make them turn red, you need to restrain exposure to light. If you purchased or were gifted a poinsettia this holiday season you may be wondering how to care for it after Christmas. Tip: For the longer-lasting poinsettias, purchase plants with the least amount or none of the yellow pollen showing. This video will show you how to look after your Poinsettia after its finished flowering and how to prune the plant. While this can be done, it requires greenhouse-like conditions with hands-on care. 17/11/2020. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. Did you know that with proper care, you can re-bloom those beautiful red Christmas flowers in time for the holidays? When and how to water Christmas Plants? The actual “flower” on a poinsettia plant is the yellow bloom found right at the center of the bracts. Poinsettia Care Tips – After The Holidays Most plants will hold their bracts and color well into late January and even February. It should receive at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. But with just a bit of care, they can easily be kept from year to year. How to care for your Poinsettia, during & after the Christmas season. The poinsettia's flowers are actually the small yellow buds in its centre! Warning poinsettia foliage contains a sap that can irritate the mouth and esophagus tissue if ingested. In order to set flower buds, it will need 14 hours of complete darkness per day for about 6 weeks. Poinsettias are one of the most popular plants to gift to loved ones come Christmas time. Continue your normal watering routine until spring (or first of April), then allow it to dry gradually. It’s possible to re-bloom your poinsettia plant after Christmas with a few simple tricks. How you provide this is where the "how much trouble you're willing to go to" comes in. Place a black fabric bag or cardboard box over the plant every evening at sundown. But with just a bit of care, they can easily be kept from year to year. While there’s no guarantee that your poinsettia will bloom again even with the best care, it’s certainly worth a try. Here are the things to look out for when buying a poinsettia: Look for fully extended foliage without wilting or browning edges. After new growth begins, feed your poinsettia every couple weeks at the recommended rate with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Then, by Christmas, your blooming poinsettia, hopefully, will be the centerpiece of holiday decor and ready to begin the cycle anew. If you’ve taken care to keep your poinsettia in a nice, warm sunny window (free of drafts) thus far, you’re halfway there. The Poinsettia or lobster plant, needs high levels of light to stay healthy and provide a good, bright colour so that its flowers and leaves stay in contrast. Poinsettia Care After Christmas. I was wondering if I should cut it down now for next year. Posted on November 21, 2017 in House + Home, Holiday Ideas, Indoor & Tropical Plant Care. Sign up for our newsletter. With their brightly colored bracts swaddling the plants during the drearier days of late fall and winter, and just in time for Christmas, who doesn’t love the poinsettia? Check the flowers (located in the centre of the red leaf branches (called bracts) are tightly closed and not shedding pollen. Regarding the soil, the Poinsettia shouldn't be in a puddle. Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available. Warm Poinsettias With Ample … above the soil and repot in a larger container with fresh, sterile potting mix (soilless mix is good too). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Poinsettia Care After the Holidays. They are a perennial plant so they do not have to be ditched after the holiday and will provide a lovely foliage plant all summer long if you are willing to expend a little loving care. Bring the poinsettia into the house in October, before your first frost. Gradually, allow the plant to get more light until finally giving it full sun. Optimal poinsettia care can coax old plants into re-flowering for future Christmases. Can you please help me save my plants. As mid-January and February roll around, even the best-kept poinsettia plants will begin to fade. Continue your normal watering routine until spring (or first of April), then allow it to dry gradually. I water once a week. and care for it as if it was a green plant. Begin keeping your poinsettia in complete darkness for about 12-14 hours from the first part of October until Thanksgiving – or an 8- to 10-week period. People love these flowers, but not everyone knows how to take care for them, that’s why we will talk about how often do you water poinsettias along with some tips and tricks to care for them! For continual bloom of your poinsettia care following Christmas, the plant also needs day temps between 65 and 70 degrees F. (18 and 21 C.) and slightly cooler at night, though keep it above 60 F. (15 C.) to avoid leaf drop. When choosing a plant, be sure to notice the red leaves are a bright red colour and the under leaves deep dark green. Great information, I think my live plant will do better this year. It's OK to let the soil dry between watering. In this article we'll tell you how to look after, water and prune a Poinsettia or Christmas flower, but let's start with a little bit of its history. Since poinsettia plants are from the tropics, they prefer surroundings that simulate that type of environment. Poinsettia Care after Christmas Quick Poinsettia Care Tips: Put the poinsettia in a well-lit area away from drafts and heat vents. Named for Joel Poinsett, the U.S. minister to Mexico who brought the plants home in 1825, the poinsettia is always decked in holiday colors. The temperature should remain between 60°- 70° F (15.6°- 21.1°C). When you buy a Christmas Star you need to check there aren't many mature flowers in the center of the bracts, as the more it has, the less it will last. So this time I followed all Poinsettia care tips and put plant in window under shady place with enough light. 2 Holiday Poinsettia Plant Care. Dropping the temperature to about 60 F at night will not hurt the plant. You can usually wait until you've had the plant for about 6 to 8 weeks before it becomes necessary to fertilize. It is important to get information first on how to grow healthy plants indoors and outdoors. If you want to read similar articles to How to Take Care Of A Poinsettia After Christmas, we recommend you visit our Gardening & plants category. These beautiful flowers are in almost every home during Christmas time. If given good care in the home, a poinsettia should remain attractive for two to three months. How to Re-Bloom Your Poinsettia Plant . Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain before putting it back where it was. Besides being a beautiful plant, the Poinsettia is a perfect sustainable decoration. You must avoid the soil getting dry, but be careful not to water the plant too much: the soil must be humid without creating puddles of water. Place Plants Inside. Poinsettia care is easy throughout the holidays. Take care not to expose the plant to temperatures that are too cold. Bring the poinsettia into the house in October, before your first frost. These finicky short-day plants require specific growing needs in order to retain their Christmas blooms. Getty Images. If you would like to have more ideas on sustainability for the winter holidays, check our article how to have a sustainable Christmas.