When to Cut Back Poinsettias to Store for the Winter

Poinsettias can be grown as indoor plants after the holidays.

Poinsettias are traditional holiday plants, providing a bright spark of color during the dark winter months. Although it can be tricky, poinsettias can be maintained throughout the year and will often bloom again the following winter.

Cutting Back

Poinsettias are cut back to about 6 to 8 inches in late April or early May after the growth has died down and most of the leaves have dropped. The poinsettia is watered thoroughly.

Plant Care

After pruning, poinsettias are placed near a sunny window. New growth usually appears within a month. The soil is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. The plant is fertilized every two weeks, using a general purpose fertilizer for blooming plants.

Repotting

Poinsettia should be repotted into a larger pot in mid-June. The pot should be only 2 to 4 inches wider and should be filled with a peat-based commercial potting soil that will allow good drainage.

References

• Iowa State University: Poinsettia Care
• University of Illinois College of Agriculture: Poinsettia; William H. Carlson; 1992
• University of Minnesota Extension: Care of Poinsettias