Buzz
Poinsettias originate from Mexico, where they can grow as tall as 5 meters. Many people buy poinsettias for Christmas decorations but are often unsure how to care for them once the red leaves fall off. If you live in a region with mild winters, you can grow poinsettias outdoors as perennial plants. Those in colder climates can keep them indoors year-round. Check out step 1 below to learn more about both scenarios.
Steps
Growing Poinsettias Outdoors as Perennials
Determine if your local climate is suitable. If you live in an area with mild winters – USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or higher – you can plant poinsettias directly in the ground, where they can thrive as perennials and grow larger each year. If your region experiences freezing temperatures during winter, it’s best to grow them indoors. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and require warm climates to flourish.
Care for the plant until spring. If you purchase a poinsettia during winter for decoration, keep it in its pot until spring, even if you live in a region with mild winters. If the pot is wrapped in foil, remove it to allow proper drainage. Poinsettias should remain in their pots until the weather warms enough for outdoor planting. Water the plant when the soil begins to dry out.
- When spring arrives around March or April, prune the plant to about 20 cm. This will encourage new growth and prepare it for transplanting.
- Continue watering and fertilizing monthly until early summer, the ideal time for replanting.
Prepare the planting site. Choose a location where the plant can receive ample morning sunlight and partial shade during the hot afternoons. Loosen the soil to a depth of 30-40 cm. Mix in organic compost if needed. Poinsettias thrive in fertile, well-draining soil.
Plant the poinsettia. Dig a hole as wide as the root ball and place the plant inside. Gently press the soil around the base. Apply a 5-7 cm layer of organic mulch around the plant to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.
Fertilize the plant. Use a balanced 12-12-12 or 20-20-20 fertilizer at the start of the growing season, or apply compost. If the soil is less fertile, fertilize the plant monthly.
Water the plant throughout the growing season. Water the base whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to mold growth on the leaves.
Prune the plant. Occasionally pinch off small shoots that grow during the growing season to encourage flowering. You can discard the removed shoots or plant them to grow new poinsettias. Trim old branches at the end of fall or early winter to promote strong new growth in the coming spring.
Propagate cuttings. Take softwood cuttings about 20 cm long from the tips or hardwood cuttings around 45 cm long from the main stem to grow new plants.
- Dip the cut end of each cutting into rooting hormone, then plant it in a pot filled with potting soil or vermiculite mix.
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy for several weeks while the cuttings develop roots.
Help the plant survive winter. Apply a fresh layer of mulch around the base to insulate the soil during colder months. Poinsettias can withstand winter in areas where soil temperatures stay above 7°C. If you live in a region with colder winters, dig up the plant and bring it indoors.
Growing Poinsettias Indoors
Care for the plant until spring. If you purchase a poinsettia early in winter, continue watering it throughout the season until spring arrives.
Repot the plant in early summer. Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one and use a nutrient-rich potting mix with high organic content. This will give the poinsettia a strong start for the growing season.
Provide ample sunlight. Place the poinsettia near a window that receives bright, indirect morning light. Avoid drafty windows to prevent exposure to cold air. Poinsettias thrive at around 18°C and are sensitive to extreme temperature fluctuations.
- If summer temperatures stay consistently above 18°C, you can keep the plant outdoors during the growing season, choosing a partially shaded area.
Water thoroughly. Water the plant throughout spring and the growing season whenever the top 2.5 cm of soil feels dry. Water slowly and allow the soil to absorb moisture before adding more. Stop watering when the soil absorbs water slowly or before excess water pools on the surface.
Fertilize monthly. Indoor poinsettias require regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer. A 12-12-12 or 20-20-20 mix works best. Fertilize monthly and stop in fall when the plant begins to bloom.
Prune the plant. Occasionally pinch off new shoots during the growing season to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Discard the cuttings or use them to propagate new plants. Trim old branches in late fall or early winter to encourage strong new growth in the coming spring.
Protecting plants through the winter. As autumn arrives, it's time to bring your plants indoors to shield them from frost. Additionally, establish a cycle of long nights and short days throughout autumn and winter to encourage the leaves to transition from green to red. Maintain this routine for 9-10 weeks until bracts form on the plant.
- Move poinsettias to a completely dark area for 14-16 hours daily starting in late September or early October. A cool closet is ideal, but you can also place the plant in a large box during its required dark period. Any exposure to light during this time will delay the color change.
- Ensure the plant is in complete darkness during the coldest hours. The best timeframe is from 5 PM to 8 AM. Poinsettias bloom most beautifully when nighttime temperatures are kept between 12 to 16 degrees Celsius.
- Each morning, bring the plant out of darkness and place it near a sunny window where temperatures are around 21 degrees Celsius.
Display poinsettias when their leaves turn red. By December, your poinsettia will be ready to decorate for the festive season. Place it near a sunny window and expose it to normal indoor lighting throughout the blooming winter months.
Encourage dormancy as the bracts begin to fade. When the small yellow flowers in the center of the bracts wither in February or March, the plant enters its dormant phase.
- Prune the plant aggressively, leaving it about 20-25 cm tall. This is the ideal time to take cuttings for propagation.
- Reduce watering for several months until new growth appears in spring. Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry completely before watering again.
