How to keep a poinsettia alive

Move to a colder place where the temperature never goes over 60 degrees and out of sunlight. Keep it indoors if you live in dry and hot areas of the country. Sometime in May, repot the poinsettia in a bigger container. Cut all the stems down to about four inches.

Can you keep a poinsettia year round?
How long will a poinsettia live?
How do you keep a poinsettia from dying?
How do you get a poinsettia to rebloom?
Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?
What do I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?
How much should I water a poinsettia?
How do you know when a poinsettia is dying?
How do you take care of a potted poinsettia?
Do poinsettias like sun or shade?

Can you keep a poinsettia year round?

Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care. When the leaves begin to yellow or when the plant is no longer desired as an ornamental, gradually withhold water. ... Keep the plant somewhat on the dry side; water only enough to keep the stems from withering.

How long will a poinsettia live?

Today's poinsettias can last longer than ever, often for months. To help yours stay pretty, follow this advice from Ron Wolford, creator of the Poinsettia Pages: Place your poinsettia in indirect light after bringing it home. Poinsettias need six hours of light daily (fluorescent light will work).

How do you keep a poinsettia from dying?

Treating a Shriveled Poinsettia

The plants need sunny, well-lit areas with warm temperatures. Keep the plants away from extremes such as cold, drafty windows or hot heat registers. Water only from the base of the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch and don't allow the roots to sit in stagnant water.

How do you get a poinsettia to rebloom?

Cut the stems back to about 6 inches and make sure some leaves remain. As new shoots grow, the tips of the stems can be pinched periodically to make the plant bushier. This just involves clipping the very tip of the stem. Water and fertilize the poinsettia to stimulate growth.

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.

When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.

What do I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?

Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March. The poinsettia may also be repotted at this time.

How much should I water a poinsettia?

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 know when a poinsettia is dying?

If the dropping leaves is accompanied by yellowing leaves and wilting then check to see if the soil is dry. To identify drought stress, feel the soil at the bottom of the pot through the drainage hole. If it feels completely dry the poinsettia requires a good soak.

How do you take care of a potted poinsettia?

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.

Do poinsettias like sun or shade?

Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.