How To Care For Your Holiday Poinsettias

Over 35 million poinsettias are sold each year, making it the highest-selling flowering potted plant in the United States. And, let’s face it, the holidays just aren’t the same without these beauties brightening up our homes and communities.

Many holiday-makers have questions about the best way to care for their holiday poinsettias. Spring Green, experts in lawn care, pest control, and tree care since 1977, has tips for the best way to keep your poinsettias looking great through the holiday season.

Poinsettia Tips and Tricks To Make The Season Bright

• Types of Poinsettias – Poinsettias are not popular because of their flowers, but more so their leaves. A poinsettia's leaves are most commonly a bright red, which is the most popular color. It can also be found in hundreds of shades of white and pink, including salmon, apricot, yellow, cream, and even pure white. New poinsettia color varieties are introduced yearly, and some are even enhanced by dyes.
• Choosing the Right Poinsettia – Pay attention to where the poinsettias are located in the store or nursery you are shopping at. If they are near the door and your area has been cold lately, they might have already been damaged by the cold temperatures. Next, check out the soil in the pot – it should be neither soaked nor dry. Also, look at the state of the leaves and choose one whose leaves are not showing signs of wilting. Finally, be sure to keep your poinsettia protected from the elements during its transport home.
• Indoors Vs. Outdoor Poinsettias – Whether your holiday plants can be kept outside depends on where you live and what your winter weather looks like. Poinsettias can handle temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are exposed to extreme drops in temperature, they will first wilt and, in most cases, die. For best results, keep your poinsettia in a warm room and mist it daily.
• Watering Your Poinsettias – It’s the most commonly asked poinsettia question: how often do you water a poinsettia? And the answer is not complicated – if the soil is dry to the touch or some leaves are beginning to droop, your holiday plant needs water. An important and often-overlooked poinsettia care tip is – you should never let your poinsettia sit in standing water. Be sure to drain the bottom after watering.
• Longevity of Poinsettias – Another common question poinsettia owners ask is: will my poinsettia re-bloom next year? The answer is yes. The chances are good that your holiday plants will re-bloom next year, but with a caveat, you have to do the work to keep them healthy. Your poinsettia will need limited daylight – no more than ten hours daily. Keep these tips in mind, and you may have poinsettias for many years to come!

Keep them in a dark space after 5 pm until the early hours of the morning for 8-10 weeks starting in early October. Be sure to protect your holiday plants from exposure to wind or cold, especially from temperatures lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When cared for properly, poinsettias usually will outlast your desire to keep them!

The History Behind Poinsettias

The poinsettia's name stems from Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, who introduced the plant in 1828. It is native to Central America where it was used by the Aztecs for decorative and medicinal purposes (contrary to popular belief, it is not poisonous). The Aztecs also considered the red color to be a symbol of purity and incorporated poinsettias into religious ceremonies. In Mexico and Guatemala, the poinsettia is referred to as the “Flower of the Holy Night.”

As the holidays near, the finishing touches on your home décor might require a few poinsettias. Additionally, they make a wonderful host or hostess gift if you are visiting friends and family this holiday season. The notion that poinsettia care is complicated is not true. They are really no different than taking care of any potted plant. You can add these festive beauties to your holiday décor and, if you keep them protected and well cared for, you’re likely to tap into their beauty for years to follow.

Spring Green, your local lawn care, pest control, and tree care professional, is here to help you throughout the holidays and all year round, whatever your needs may be. Ask us about our satisfaction guarantee and become a Spring Green customer today!