Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Poinsettia Care in the Home
Poinsettia Care in the Home. Poinsettia plants got their name from Joel Robert Poinsett, who brought the plants to the United States from Mexico in 1825. The plant's scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. Poinsettias are commonly seen in homes and places of business during the Christmas season. The plants have large red flowers and green leaves,...
Poinsettia plants got their name from Joel Robert Poinsett, who brought the plants to the United States from Mexico in 1825. The plant's scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. Poinsettias are commonly seen in homes and places of business during the Christmas season. The plants have large red flowers and green leaves, the colors associated with Christmas. If you plan on keeping some poinsettias in your home, you will need to learn how to care for them.
Watering Poinsettias
Place your poinsettia plant in a container that has several drainage holes, if you did not purchase it in one. Poinsettias require soil that is moist throughout, and this is achieved when you water the poinsettia until you see water coming out the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Collect the extra water in a dish and discard it. Never allow your poinsettia to sit in the excess water, or it will suffer root rot. Wait for the top layer of soil to become dry when you touch it before watering the poinsettia again.
Sun and Temperature Requirements
Poinsettia plants enjoy full sun, so place them near a window that lets the natural light in. It is also important for the temperature in the home to be kept between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in order for the poinsettia to stay in bloom. According to Ohio State University, poinsettias are also more susceptible to suffering root rot when temperatures in the home fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer Requirements
Poinsettias will benefit from an application of fertilizer once per month in the spring, summer and fall months. There is no need to fertilize during the Christmas and New Year's season. UMass Extension recommends using either a 20-10-20, 16-16-17, or a 15-0-15 fertilizer. Always follow the product instructions for the particular brand of fertilizer you purchase to avoid burning the poinsettia's leaves.
Repotting in Spring
It may be necessary to re-pot your poinsettia plant in the spring if it is outgrowing its current pot. Remove any dead or damaged leaves, and cut old stems back to within 6 inches of the soil. Place new potting soil in a larger pot at a ratio of 1 part soil, 1 part sand and 1 part sphagnum peat. Transfer your poinsettia to the new pot, shaking off as much of the old soil as possible. Water as you normally would.
