How to Get a Poinsettia to Bloom Again

Contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia is not a poisonous plant.

Poinsettia is a type of Euphorbia and a member of the spurge family. Native to Mexico, the ancient Aztecs used the flowers to create red dye. Because of the striking red flowers, Christmas is the poinsettia's time to shine. Grocery stores and department stores stock this flowering plant for holiday shoppers. Most of the time the plant is discarded after its holiday blooming period. Some gardeners opt to keep poinsettias after the holidays and get them to bloom again.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Box

Instructions

1. Cut the poinsettia back in July, until it is two-thirds of the size you want it to be during the holidays.

2. Place the poinsettia in an area where it receives full sun all day. Beginning October 1, place the plant in an area that remains completely dark for 14 consecutive hours every night. Even a momentary flash of light during this period may prevent the poinsettia from flowering, so cover it with a cardboard box to double the protection against light. Each day, after the 14 hours of darkness, move the poinsettia into the sun. Return it to the dark in the evening. Keep the soil relatively dry during this period, watering only if the plant wilts.

3. Check the poinsettia periodically during this period for signs of buds. This generally occurs eight to 10 weeks after beginning the dark periods. Once you see buds, discontinue the evening dark periods.

4. Water the poinsettia when buds appear, and keep the soil moist, but not saturated.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: The Poinsettia Pages
• Mayo Clinic; Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous?; Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.; November 2010
• University of Florida Extension; Poinsettias for Florida, Indoors and Outdoors; Robert J. Black, et al.