Caring for Poinsettias
Waaaaay back in 2009 we posted our first video to YouTube. Recorded on a potato compared to today's standards, John Morgan recorded it for a segment on a weekly internet-based show called "Garden World Report" hosted by Shirley Bovshow. That was a pretty newfangled thing at the time, well before live streaming or services like Netflix streaming, Prime Video, etc. However, that one video helped launch our own YouTube Channel and serve as the inspiration for our weekly live show, Bob's LIVE.
The video might be old, but the information is still great!
Caring for Poinsettias
Poinsettias, euphorbia pulcherrima, remain one of the most popular holiday flowers. Plant breeders have expanded the range of colors from the familiar red to pastel yellow and vibrant bi-colors.
LIGHT
Place it near a sunny window. South, east or west facing windows are preferable to a north facing window. Poinsettias are tropical plants and will appreciate as much direct sunlight as you can provide.
HEAT
To keep the poinsettia in bloom as long as possible, maintain a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Dropping the temperature to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night will not hurt the plant. However, cold drafts or allowing the leaves to touch a cold window ca injure the leaves and cause premature leaf drop. If you’ve ever see a gangly poinsettia in bloom, with only a couple of sad looking leaves hanging on, it was probably exposed to temperatures that were too cool or extreme shifts in temperature.
WATER
Water your poinsettia whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. Water until it drains out the bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water. If you display your poinsettia in a foil sleeve, make sure to take it out for watering. I find watering in a sink for drainage works great. Wilting is another common cause of leaf drop. A wilted plant can be revived and salvaged, but it will take another season of growth to improve its appearance.
HUMIDITY
Lack of humidity during dry seasons, in particular winter, is an ongoing houseplant problem. If your home tends to be dry and your poinsettia is in direct light, you will find yourself watering frequently, possibly every day.
