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 A native plant of Mexico, the poinsettia
(Euphorbia pulcherrima) was introduced to the United States by Joel
Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 1828 who
saw it while visiting the city of Taxco and sent some cuttings to
his plantation in South Carolina where they were propagated. It is
now the best selling potted plant in the United States and Canada.
https://www.almanac.com/
poinsettia-christmas-story
The most widely available color is the classic red, however,
poinsettia breeders have developed over 150 varieties in a range of
shades. The colorful red, pink or cream “flowers” of the poinsettia
are not actually flowers, but a type of leaf called bracts. The
actual flower is the small yellow bud in the middle of the bract.
The little yellow flower inspires the Spanish name for poinsettia
because of its resemblance to a star. Flor de la Buena Noche is the
Spanish name, which means Flower of the Holy Night, Holy Night
referring to Christmas Eve, and the yellow flower bringing to mind
the Star of Bethlehem.
Because it is a tropical plant, the poinsettia needs some special
attention to thrive inside, but with proper care a poinsettia can
last all year long. To begin, make sure the plant is protected from
wind and cold when bringing it home from the shop– definitely do not
leave it in a frigid car while running errands! Once home regular
care will keep your new plant happy and healthy. The Old Farmer's
Almanac offers Seven Tips to keep your poinsettia in peak condition
through the holidays:
1. The plants require bright, indirect light during the day for the
brightest color (at least 6 hours a day), so place yours near a
well-lit window. East-facing windows are best. However, keep it out
of direct sun, which could fade or burn the leaves.
2. Avoid spots near heating vents and doors. Cold drafts will cause
leaves to drop. No part of the plant should touch the cold glass.
Excess heat can dry out the plants too much.
3. Poinsettias favor semi-cool conditions. Keep temperatures between
65° and 70°F, ideally. Basically, maintain temperatures that are
comfortable to people. Be sure to lower the thermostat at night so
that plants cool off.
4. Keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater, which is
the most common cause of death. Only water when the top inch or two
of soil feel dry to the touch. If underwatered, plants wilt and shed
leaves.
5. Don’t let the plant sit in water or water-filled saucers which
causes root rot. Be careful to remove any foil which may gather
water. Treat the saucers like water catchers and 30 minutes or so
after a good watering detach it in the sink and let it all drain
out.
6. Fertilizer is never recommended while the plant is in bloom.
Fertilize only if you decide to keep them after their holiday bloom.
7. Poinsettias like humidity. Add plants nearby to aid humidity. Use
a humidifier or place plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water
to increase relative humidity.
https://www.almanac.com/
caring-for-poinsettias
Poinsettias offer beautiful color during the holidays, but can also
be enjoyed as a lovely leafy green plant throughout the year with
proper care. To help it continue to thrive, prune the plant in the
spring and continue watering according to the previous instructions.
It can be moved outdoors in the summer or even planted in the
garden. If leaving as a potted plant, monitor its growth as it will
eventually need to be repotted into a larger pot.
Some people who care for the plant throughout the year may be
interested in forcing the poinsettia to rebloom the following
winter. It takes some effort, but it is possible to bring back the
colorful bracts. Julie Weisenhorn, horticulture educator for the
University of Minnesota Extension explains, “It is not an easy task,
as it requires excluding light from the plant for a period of time
while keeping the plant healthy. The reduction in light prevents the
plant from producing chlorophyll, the pigment that makes plant parts
green. This changes the bracts to red, pink, or white, depending on
the poinsettia variety.” She provides a detailed guide to yearlong
care with the goal of forcing the poinsettia to rebloom the
following winter on the University of Minnesota Extension website:
New Year's Day
● Fertilize if you see new growth.
● Continue to provide adequate light and water for prolonged bloom
for several weeks.
Valentine's Day
● Check your plant for signs of insects, such as white fly, and
manage them if you find them. If your plant has become long and
leggy, cut back to about five inches tall to promote more compact
growth.
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St. Patrick's Day
● Prune off faded and dried parts of the plant.
● Remove leaves from the soil surface, and add a little more potting
soil if the roots are visible.
● Continue keeping the plant in a bright, sunny window.
Memorial Day
● Trim off two to three inches of branches to promote side
branching.
● If you plan to continue growing your poinsettia as a potted plant,
transplant into a container.
Father's Day
● Move the plant outside for the summer and place in indirect light.
● You can also transplant it directly into your garden.
Fourth of July
● Trim the plant again.
● Move it into full sun.
● Continue to water and fertilize but increase the amount to
accelerate growth.
Labor Day
● Move indoors to a spot that gets at least six hours of direct
light daily, preferably more.
● As new growth begins, reduce the fertilizer to one-quarter the
recommended strength.
Fall equinox
● Starting on or near Sept. 21, give the plant 16 hours of
uninterrupted darkness (put the plant in a closet, basement or under
a box) and 8 hours of bright light every day. Note that during the
dark period, the plant cannot receive even the slightest bit of
light at any time.
● Maintain night temperatures in the low 60 degrees F range.
● Continue to water and fertilize at the reduced rate.
● Rotate the plant daily to give all sides even light.
Thanksgiving
● Discontinue the short day/long night treatment.
● Put the plant in a sunny area that gets at least six hours of
direct light.
● Reduce water and fertilizer.
Christmas
Enjoy your "new" poinsettia. Start the cycle all over again after
the new year.”
https://extension.umn.edu/
houseplants/poinsettia#poinsettia-care-after-the-holidays-and-reblooming-1579964
Whether purchasing a poinsettia for your home, office, or church, or
as a gift for loved ones, with the right strategy and care, your
poinsettia can bring holiday cheer through all the year.
Merry Christmas!
Stephanie Hall
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