How to Keep a Poinsettia Going After Christmas

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Rate: (16 Ratings)

If your poinsettia is still alive past New Years Day, it has passed through the shock of being moved from the greenhouse into your home. Odds are good that it will continue to grow for next year's holiday celebration. Here's what you need to do.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Fertilizers
  • Garden Shears
  • Planting Containers
  • Poinsettias
  • Potting Soil
  • Watering Cans
  • Water
Step1
Continue to water your poinsettia, keeping the soil moist, but not wet, at all times. Keep the plant away from drafts caused by opening doors or heater vents.
Step2
Set the poinsettia outdoors once night temperatures average 55 degrees F or above.
Step3
Transplant the poinsettia into a larger pot. Use fast-draining potting soil rich in organic matter.
Step4
Cut the poinsettia back to about 8 inches in height in late March or early April. By the end of May you should see vigorous new growth.
Step5
Prune during the summer to keep the plant bushy and compact. Do not prune after September 1.
Step6
Keep the plant in indirect light or filtered sun.
Step7
Fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks with a complete fertilizer.
Step8
Move the plant into a closet each night, starting in October, for 14 hours, making sure it receives no light at all; move it into the light each morning for a maximum of 10 hours. Poinsettias bloom only when they experience long nights.
Step9
Continue this procedure every day for 10 weeks and you can have poinsettia blossoms for next Christmas.

Tips & Warnings

  • The secret to growing poinsettias is to provide constant moisture to the roots. Don't, however, allow the plant to sit in water.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 We've had a poinsettia in my office for over three years, and it is still great. I've never cut it back, and two years ago I tried to put it in the back office to make it bloom, but broke off two big branches, so I quit. It blooms anyway, but usually not until after New Year's Day. I only water every two or three weeks.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 1/24/2006 For those of us who don't really know a lot about plants, if the leaves start to look burnt, you're over-watering. If the leaves turn yellow, you're under-watering.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I have been watering my poinsettia for 3 years by using only 5 - 6 ice cubes daily. Place the ice cubes in the pot (not touching plant) and it slowly dampens the soil. It really works!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I kept forgetting to keep the closet door closed, which allowed light resulting in 'shorter nights' for the plant. The result was no redness anywhere on the plant at Christmas time. I've since found that putting the plant in a thick (or doubled) paper bag and closing it tightly produces the same results as putting it away in a closet. I also keep the bag in a darker corner or hallway when it's 'bagged,' just to be sure it remains in the dark.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 The eHow article "Keep a Poinsettia Going ..." suggests you plant a poinsettia outdoors in a mild climate or put it outside in warmer months. Be aware if you have pets - poinsettias are poisonous to pets and can be deadly.

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eHow Article: How to Keep a Poinsettia Going After Christmas

eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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