How to Plant a Poinsettia

Transplant your poinsettia during warmer spring months.

No plant evokes the feeling of holiday spirit like a poinsettia. Although it is seen most commonly around Christmastime, the poinsettia is actually native to the warm climate of southern Mexico, and is very sensitive to cold temperatures. Select plants with large petals and dark green leaves that are free of insects. Avoid placing the poinsettia in a cold or drafty area. If your poinsettia makes it through the winter, chances are that you can replant it in your garden to rebloom during the next holiday season.

Instructions

1. Keep your poinsettia indoors and in its container throughout the winter months. The plants need about six hours of indirect light each day. Water when the soil feels dry.

2. Cut stems back to the two best buds in late winter, after the leaves begin to fall.

3. Fertilize your plant with a houseplant formula in the spring, after the "blooms" (actually modified leaves) have fallen off. Use a complete fertilizer every two to three weeks for best results.

4. Move the plant outside to an area with partial shade after all danger of frost has passed and outdoor temperatures are consistently higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Replant the poinsettia in a lightweight, sterilized soil mix with a pH around 6.5. Prune the plant once the first summer shoots are several inches in length.

Tips & Warnings

• The "flowers" of poinsettias are actually bracts, or modified leaves that change color.

• Ideal temperatures for poinsettias are 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and 55 degrees at night.

References

• The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Poinsettia Plants in the Garden
• University of Illinois Extension: Caring for Poinsettias
• Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University: Poinsettia Care