Poinsettia Care Tips & Tricks

Taking your plant home

If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are common in December, you’ll have to provide some protection to your poinsettia when transporting it to your home. The store should provide a paper sleeve or plastic bag that you can use to cover the plant. Even so, never expose the plant to cold temperatures for more than a few minutes; a chilled or frozen plant will begin to drop leaves very quickly. Once inside, remove the protective wrapping immediately and prepare to enjoy your new poinsettia.

Taking care of your Poinsettia

With proper care you poinsettia will last through the holiday season and retain its bracts well into the New Year. Pay close attention to the following care tips:

• Place in a room where there is sufficient natural light to read fine print but not where the sun will shine directly on the plant.
• Avoid hot or cold drafts or excess heat from appliances, radiators or ventilating ducts.
• Place the plant high enough to be away from traffic, and out of the reach of unmonitored children and animals. Poinsettias are poisonous to dogs and cats.
• Set the plant in or on a water-proof container to protect your furnishings.
• Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Remember to discard excess water from the saucer.