Besides the Christmas tree, the poinsettia houseplant is the most popular holiday plant of the season.
It perfectly decorates your home with its red and green colour during the holidays, but did you know you could keep your poinsettias alive and thriving after the festivities have passed?
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal, has shared his top tips to “keep poinsettias thriving post Christmas”.
He said: “By following these care tips, your poinsettias can not only survive but thrive well beyond the Christmas season.”
This involves carrying out six care needs as well as a reblooming tip that should be followed in October.
1. Lighting
Poinsettias “need bright, indirect sunlight” so it is recommended to place them near a sunny window where they’ll receive plenty of light, but avoid direct sunlight which can “scorch the leaves”.
Windows exposing it to morning or evening light only is a perfect place to keep poinsettia happy.
The colour in the bracts is dependent on the amount of light available to the plant – if it has little light, then its colour will be light, but if it has lots of light, then its colour will be dark.
2. Temperature
These plants prefer a consistent temperature between 18 to 21 degrees during the day and slightly cooler at night.
Gene urged: “Avoid placing them near drafts, vents, or radiators, as fluctuating temperatures can cause stress.”
If it is constantly kept in a room where the temperature is above 21 degrees, it might lead to problems because of the amount of water needed.
3. Watering
Water management is a crucial part of keeping a poinsettia healthy. Gardeners need to water their poinsettia “when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch”.
Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which “can lead to root rot”.
4. Humidity
Being native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias “thrive” in humid environments.
If your home is dry, especially in winter, it is worth using a humidifier or placing a water tray near the plant to increase humidity.
5. Fertilising
After the holiday season, once the plant stops blooming, this is when you can begin to fertilise it.
To do so, use a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser every few weeks to “encourage growth”.
6. Pruning
In late winter or early spring, prune back the poinsettias to about six inches in height to encourage new growth.
How to encourage poinsettias to rebloom
For “reblooming next Christmas”, provide 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for eight to 10 weeks at the beginning of October.
This should be done while keeping them in bright light during the day. This process mimics their natural blooming cycle.
