Poinsettia Care

Introduced into the US in 1828, poinsettia, botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima is a species of a flowering plant native to Mexico. Its papery green leaves with brightly colored bracts on the top of each stem has made poinsettia into a popular Christmas decorative plant in the United States, Australia and United Kingdom.

Poinsettia

This exotic looking flowering plant has been named after the first United States Minister to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett who was also responsible for introducing poinsettia into the US. Poinsettia can be classified as a shrub or small tree, depending on its eventual height; 2 to 16 feet. The leaves of a poinsettia are green. The leaves towards the tip of the stem are known as bracts and they are the ones that change color. It is a common misconception that these colorful bracts are the flowers of this plant, but they are not. The bracts are actually modified leaves. The common color is a deep vibrant red, but plenty of new cultivars and other colors such as pink and/or white, and patterns like marbled and speckled can also be found. The flowers are small, green or yellow, and situated in the middle of the bracts.

Instructions for Taking Care of Poinsettia

Being a perennial plant, it can easily thrive for many years both indoors as well as outdoors. As you read further down, you will realize that this plant needs care and plenty of attention for its bracts to show well. Choose a healthy plant with lots of foliage. Most of these plants sold a couple of months before Christmas should have a healthy flush of bracts. While some may be colored, some may not be.

Poinsettia plants are extremely intolerant to both; too wet and too dry soils. The plant should be just watered enough. Poinsettias need reasonably moist soil, so if the top soil appears a little dried out, water the plant until excess water is drained out completely. Make sure the soil is well-drained with a mix of perlite or gravel to allow smooth water drainage. Never leave the plant in standing water as it will increase the chances of root rot.

Light and temperature are essential for its flower and bracts color change. Although, poinsettias love bright lights, their bracts tend to fade away in extreme sunlight. To initiate bracts color change, ensure complete darkness for at least twelve hours. This plant follows the principle of photoperiodism, where complete darkness is needed to bring in a physiological change; in this case to change the color of the bracts. But at the same time, to maintain the vigor of the color, the plant should be exposed to enough bright light during the day. Care should be taken that no light is received during the dark period. It can delay flowering, and to prolong flowering, maintain temperature at 65 - 75 degrees F.

Fertilizers should be added in minimal amounts after the bloom period is over, and never before or during the blooming season. Always keep an eye for leaf drop, too warm or too cold conditions is the reason for the leaves to fall off. To initiate a re-flowering (bract re-coloring) season, acclimatize the plant to short day length and longer dark periods. However, forcing a re-flowering always tends to make the plant's quality inferior.

Care also includes pruning back the plant's old canes in spring and amending the soil. In case of a potted plant, re-pot every couple of years.