Poinsettia Care Throughout the Year

Christmas Day

  • Select tightly clustered small central flowers with crisp, bright bracts.
  • Protect from hot or cold drafts and avoid bruising tender foliage.
  • Place in a cool, bright area to retain color longer; ideal is 72 degrees daytime and 60 degree nights with at least 6 hours of natural light each day.
  • Generally, let soil dry slightly between each watering, but avoid standing water.

New Years Day

  • Plants will not die out, but will retain their bright foliage for many months to come.
  • Continue to provide bright light, warm temperatures and water as in December. Apply an all-purpose fertilizer at recommended rates.

St. Patrick’s Day

  • Remove fading bracts and drying flowers. Small lateral shoots should be visible along the stems.
  • Remove dried foliage at the base of the plant.
  • Replenish settled soil - a commercially prepared sterile media is best.
  • Keep plant in a very bright interior location.

Memorial Day

  • Plant can grow to three feet in height and become a small foliage “shrub” with many branches and large leaves.
  • Cut back all stems and branches (remove 2 inches to one-half of each stem) to promote lateral branching.
  • Repot into a larger container using a sterile growing media.

Independence Day

  • Plant can grow to four feet in height by July.
  • Again, cut back all new growth to promote lateral branching.
  • Move plant to full sunlight.
  • Continue to water and fertilize, but increase frequency as growth accelerates.

Labor Day

  • Plant can grow to five or six feet tall.
  • Move indoors - give at least six hours of direct light in a curtain-free window.
  • Continue to water and fertilize, but reduce amount as new growth begins.
  • Check for insects and treat as necessary.

First Day of Autumn

  • Give 12 hours of bright light/sunlight and 12 hours of continuous darkness, short days and long nights induce flower and bract formation.
  • Keep night temperature at 62-65 degrees F.
  • Continue to water and fertilize regularly.
  • Rotate pot each week to give all sides light.

Thanksgiving Day

  • Discontinue short day/long night treatment.
  • Expose plant to a bright sunny area with at least six hours of direct light each day.
  • Reduce amount of water and fertilizer.

Christmas Day

  • Enjoy your “new” poinsettia!
  • Start a new cycle.