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How To Care For Poinsettia Indoors

Place potted poinsettias indoors in indirect light. Six hours or more of light (natural or fluorescent) is best. Keep them comfortable, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees, day or night. Lower temperatures will make them drop leaves almost immediately and shut down.

How do you care for a poinsettia plant indoors?

Keep soil moist. Water plant when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, or pot feels lightweight when lifted. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry that they wilt. Remove from decorative foil or outer pot before watering. Continue watering as needed January through March.

How long can you keep a poinsettia alive?

How long does flowering last? A quality plant that received good care can flower for 2 to 3 months. Most poinsettias flower for 4 to 6 weeks before the flowers start falling.

How often do you water a poinsettia?

In your home, put the poinsettia in a well lighted area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.

Why are the leaves on my poinsettia falling off?

Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.

Do I water a poinsettia from the top or bottom?

When should I water my poinsettia? Water your poinsettia plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Thoroughly moisten the soil to the point that water is draining from the bottom of the growing pot. Discard any excess water that builds up in the saucer or decorative foil pot cover.

What do you do with poinsettias after Christmas?

Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hours of indirect, but bright, sunlight each day. In mid-April pinch back the stems to 6-8 inches and place the plants in a sunny location. When new growth begins, you may use a liquid fertilizer to ensure the plants get enough minerals, especially calcium.

Do poinsettias need sunlight?

Poinsettias need six hours of light daily (fluorescent light will work). Keep your plant away from cold windows, warm or cold drafts from furnaces or air conditioners, and open doors and windows.

Can I keep my poinsettia outside?

You can keep growing them like a houseplant if you like, but in the spring once the temperatures at night are regularly above 50°F, you can place your poinsettias outside if you want. Choose a spot that gets bright, indirect light (somewhere that gets shade in the afternoon would be perfect).

How do I save my poinsettia for next year?

After all the leaves have fallen, store the plant, in its pot, in a cool (50 to 60°F), dry, dark area. Keep the plant somewhat on the dry side; water only enough to keep the stems from withering.

Can you use ice cubes to water poinsettias?

Poinsettias should never dry out to the point of wilt. If you can water the poinsettia well once per week, placing 6-8 ice cubes in the container every day will do a good job of keeping the soil adequately moist.

What does an overwatered poinsettia look like?

If your Poinsettia is wilting, or if it has yellowing leaves, this is a sign that it’s likely being overwatered. One way to confirm this is by feeling its soil. If the soil is wet and your plant is wilting then it’s probably being overwatered.

Should I mist my poinsettia?

Misting. Misting simply involves spraying the leaves (and bracts) of a poinsettia with a fine spritz of water regularly to keep the plant humid. Think of it like those fancy fruit and veg aisles in the supermarket, the mist keeps the plant happy and saves you time in the long run too.

How do you save a dying poinsettia?

How to Revive a Wilted Poinsettia Move the poinsettia to an area out of direct air currents or draughts. Whilst the poinsettia is wilted ensure that it is not in any direct light. Use a spray to mist the plant. Place the poinsettia in a basin of water for 10 minutes. Water your poinsettia more often.

How do you know when a poinsettia is dying?

A • A Poinsettia that is wilting is either too hot, too wet, or too dry. Poinsettias need to be constantly moist and will visibly wilt if allowed to become too dry. Feel the soil. If dry, water thoroughly, and it will quickly revive, but some leaves will be shed as a result.

Where is the best place to put a poinsettia?

Keep poinsettias near the sunniest window in your house so they get adequate light. Poinsettias like plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so don’t place them directly in the sun, next to a heater or near a drafty window.

Why are the leaves on my poinsettia plant turning yellow?

If your poinsettia leaves are turning yellow, this could be caused by watering, lighting, a sudden change in temperature, or improper fertilization. Water when the top 50% of the soil is dry.

Are coffee grounds good for poinsettias?

According to Gardening Know How, poinsettias do well using any all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. If you don’t want to go store-bought though, consider mixing coffee grounds or some a little finished compost into the soil. The added nitrogen will help keep your poinsettia extra healthy.

How do I get my poinsettia to bloom again?

How to Get Poinsettias to Rebloom Prune your poinsettia plant. Fertilize the poinsettia every two weeks. Repot the plant in warmer months. Transport your plant outdoors. Pinch to encourage side branching. Place the poinsettia in a warm, dark environment. Display your poinsettia plant.