Poinsettias are native to Mexico, but during the Christmas period, they can be spotted in most homes in the UK.
The pretty plants can be purchased from garden centres, supermarkets and even petrol stations at this time of year.
Most people think the plant’s green and red foliage are flowers but they’re actually called “bracts”. The plants can also produce pale green flowers in late December and early January.
The plants can be tricky to keep alive once they’ve been purchased, as they need to be kept away from massive temperature changes and radiators. Ideally, poinsettias need to be kept at specific temperatures to thrive.
One way Britons can often go wrong when it comes to poinsettia care is their watering methods.
Anastasia Borisevich, a plant expert at Plantum, the app that helps identify plants and improves plant care, has shared the two watering mistakes people need to avoid when it comes to caring for poinsettias.
Ms Borisevich said this “beloved Christmas decoration” isn’t as demanding as people think when it comes to care.
She exclusively told Express.co.uk: “It tolerates both bright sun and partial shade. The optimal temperature is 25°C in summer and 16°C in winter. Let the soil dry by 0.4–0.8 in (1–2 cm) before watering it moderately.”
When it comes to watering, the plant expert said poinsettias need to be kept slightly moist “at all times” and watered with warm water.
“Keep the potting mix slightly moist at all times. Soak the soil thoroughly when watering, but not to the point of sogginess,” she said.
“Use only warm (and ideally soft) water. Cold water may shock a poinsettia into shedding its foliage. This plant can also wilt and defoliate if its soil is kept dry for too long.”
She added: “Make sure to protect the plant from drafts. Drastic temperature changes and drafts cause the water to cool down, which stresses the root system.”
If your poinsettia survives past Christmas, Britons can care for their plant so it thrives for the following Christmas.
When the plant is actively growing from April to September, it can be fed with a fertiliser formulated for succulents and cacti once every two to three weeks.
It’s important the plant is fertilised when it is being watered and is protected from any drafts.
In the summer months, move the plant so it is not in direct sunlight as this can lead to sunburn and foliage loss.
