Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Euphorbia pulcherrima
A holiday classic that brings colour and cheer into the home. Poinsettia has been bred for its colourful bracts which come in an amazing assortment of colours, sizes and even textures. With proper care, a poinsettia should be healthy and attractive for 4 – 6 weeks.
Contrary to popular belief, poinsettia is not poisonous although some people are allergic to the milky sap (latex) that oozes from cut stems.
General care
- Place in a bright spot, out of direct sunlight.
- Avoid hot or cold drafts – they do not like extreme changes in temperature.
- Remove your Poinsettia from its sleeve – while the sleeve looks festive, it interferes with watering correctly. Use a decorative pot or saucer instead.
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Allow excess water to drain. Do not let the plant sit in water.
- Fertilize weekly with an all-purpose indoor plant fertilizer if you like.
- The bracts last longer if the room temperature is not above 22⁰C.
Getting them to re-bloom
Most of us buy Poinsettias the way we buy cut flowers. Once the plant lags, out to the compost it goes. There are gardeners who love a challenge. It is possible to keep them year round and to get them to re-bloom, but results are not guaranteed. Here is what to do:
- Mid-winter: Once the bracts start dying, prune the plant back by about half. Reduce water and stop fertilizer.
- Early spring: Re-pot the plant if needed and increase water. Once the plant starts growing resume weekly fertilizing.
- Early summer: You may take the plant outdoors for the summer. Make sure it has been hardened off.
- Late summer: Bring the plant inside.
- Early fall: Begin giving the plant 12 hours per night of complete darkness. Place it in a dark room or closet if you have lights on at night. Move into a bright room for 12 hours during the day.
- Early winter: You should see tiny yellow flowers at the tips of the plant and a change of colour in the bracts. Discontinue the day/night treatment and enjoy your Poinsettia!
Interesting facts about Poinsettia
- Poinsettia was named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and physician. He introduced the plant to the US in 1828 while serving as Ambassador to Mexico. He was also instrumental in founding the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
- In its native habitat in Mexico and Guatemala, it is called "La Flor de la Nochebuena" (Flower of the Holy Night).
- Poinsettia “flowers” are actually bracts or modified leaves. Their true flowers are the tiny yellow clusters at the centre of the bracts. Once those flowers shed their pollen, the showy bracts tend to drop.
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