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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 do you take care of a 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 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.
How do you take care of a poinsettia after Christmas?
How to Make Your Poinsettias Bloom Again After Christmas Cut it back to 4 to 6 inches tall and move it to a slightly larger pot with good drainage. Keep the soil moist, but never soggy. Provide bright light. Feed weekly with liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
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.
Do poinsettias like cold?
Poinsettias do not tolerate warm or cold drafts which may cause premature leaf drop, so keep them away from radiators, air vents, and fans as well as open windows or doors. High temperatures will shorten the file of the bracts. Don’t expose your poinsettia to temperatures below 50 degrees.
Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
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.
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 poinsettia grow indoors?
Poinsettias are hardy in zones 9 through 11. They can be grown as long-lasting houseplants, and you can transplant them into the garden in frost-free areas like ours. If you’re keeping your potted Poinsettia plants indoors, keep them in sunny rooms that have a south, east, or west exposure.
Do poinsettias need fertilizer?
Poinsettias do fine with any good quality, all-purpose fertilizer. A water-soluble fertilizer is easiest to apply, but a dry fertilizer will also satisfy poinsettia fertilizer requirements. Be sure to water the plant thoroughly after fertilizing poinsettias, especially if you use a dry fertilizer.
Can you overwater a poinsettia?
Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light and should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. A final caution: Do not overwater your poinsettia or let it sit in standing water.
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.
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.
Do poinsettias like light or dark?
Light: Place your poinsettias in an area where they’ll receive a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day. Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night.
When can I put poinsettias outside?
The time to plant poinsettias outside is late March, after the danger of frost has passed. Until then, keep the plants in a sunny window and water when the soil begins to feel dry. Just prior to planting, cut the poinsettia back about half way (even if the colorful bracts are still on the plant).