How to Care for a Poinsettia Plant

Poinsettia's are beautiful plants. Poinsettia's have become a sort of hallmark of the Christmas holiday season. Sadly, most people throw out their poinsettia's after the holidays are over, not realizing that it is possible to keep the same poinsettia year round so that you are able to enjoy this beautiful plant Christmas season after Christmas season.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Poinsettia Plant
• Water
• Place to Safely Keep Your Poinsettia in the Dark
• Garden Shears

1. Once the holidays are over and your poinsettia loses all it's beautiful leaves, stop watering it. At this stage, your poinsettia plant is dormant so do not worry that this will kill it, it won't. your only allowing nature to run it's proper course.

2. Place the poinsettia in a cool, dry area. In the dark is fine and actually preferable. Again, due to the dormancy of the poinsettia.

3. Water the poinsettia for the first time after it's leaves fell off in the spring. This will 'wake up' your poinsettia plant from it's dormant state.

4. Bring the poinsettia back out into the warm, lit areas of the home. A windowsill is nice but be careful to avoid the leaves touching glass, which can scorch the plant. Also avoid any windowsills that may be host to cold drafts.

5. Cut the stems back to 6" in length. There should be at least 4-5 such stems, depending on the size of your poinsettia plant. Cutting them back allows all the energies of the previously dormant poinsettia plant to focus on root growth, resulting in a stronger poinsettia plant.

6. Pinch the poinsettia leaves/stems back as the plant continues to grow to encourage the poinsettia to become a short, bushy plant. Think of it almost as a bonsai plant at this stage. You are crafting the size/shape you desire in your poinsettia.

7. In October, split the plants time between a sunny window of your home and a dark closet 50/50. 12 hours in the dark closet... 12 hours in the sunny window. This will be what encourages the leaves to take on the dark red showy look we all love.

8. Repeat this process each year. Your poinsettia can grow into a nice old age with these care tips and your holiday guests will be amazed when you tell them how long you've had the same poinsettia plant. No doubt, they will all want to know your secrets.

Tips & Warnings

• Poinsettias are HIGHLY TOXIC to pets and children. If you have pets or small children, keep poinsettias out of your home unless they are of the lovely, silk variety.
• Do not use the shears you used on pruning your poinsettia on anything that may go into someone's mouth. It is the milky substance in the leaves that is toxic. Only use garden shears.

[ceniamari]

on 7/21/2009 I didn't know that poinsettias go dormant. I probably have been the culprit in killing them off every year!

[Bradmasterson]

on 12/19/2008 Poinsettias are so lovely this time of year! I unfortunately am not endowed with a green thumb. Thank you for showing me how to care for it!

[SharonW]

on 12/15/2008 We have poinsettias here in Australia for Christmas except it is Summer. They still grow well!

[SeventhSibling]

on 9/18/2008 I once kept a poinsettia in the house until spring, and then I planted it outside. I was astounded at how well it grew, about four feet tall and three feet wide, and all green leaves (of course). Alas, the story did not end well as it didn’t like purning and moving back inside in the fall. I screwed that up. This year, I’m going to try your approach, Janet. Thanks for the tips!

[Susanh]

on 9/16/2008 I had no idea that poinsettias could be saved over the winter months. Thanks for this information. :)