How to Plant a Potted Poinsettia

Enjoy your poinsettia after the holiday season ends.

There is no reason to toss out the potted poinsettia you enjoyed during the winter holiday. When spring comes, cut the plant back and repot it in a new container using fresh potting soil. After fertilizing it every two weeks during the spring and summer, it will rebloom, providing you place it in the dark from late afternoon to morning, from late September through October. Yet, there is another option. Plant the potted poinsettia in your garden. Select a place in your garden that receives plenty of sunshine, yet no artificial lighting at night.

Things You'll Need

• Garden shears
• Garden spade
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Cut off wilting bracts. Leave about 4 to 6 inches of stem on each branch.

2. Remove the poinsettia from its container and plant in the garden, maintaining the soil line. Avoid disturbing the roots. Poinsettia prefers a soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

3. Water the plant thoroughly, after patting down the soil gently to firm up.

4. Add a thin layer of mulch around the plant to maintain moisture. Keep the soil well watered until established.

Tips & Warnings

• Schedule planting in the spring, after the last danger of frost has passed.

• Fertilize monthly. The time to fertilize varies depending on the region. For example, in north Florida, fertilize from May to September, while the time to fertilize for other parts of Florida is from March to October.

• While poinsettia have the reputation of being poisonous, according to a report by the University of Florida, the plant is not poisonous, yet it may cause a mild allergic reaction for some.

References

• University of Florida: Poinsettias at a Glance
• Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: Getting the Most out of Your Poinsettia