Poinsettia Care

Information gathered from Alabama Cooperative Extension System

During the Holidays

These care tips can help keep poinsettias healthy during the holidays.

  • Place the plant in an area with plenty of natural light, away from vents and drafts that can dry out the pot.
  • Water the plant only when dry. If the pot is covered in a holiday foil or decorative wrap, allow excess water to drain. Poinsettias are susceptible to stem and root diseases, so draining the excess water is important.
  • Utilize an all-purpose fertilizer (20-20-20) at one-a-month intervals.

After the Holidays

The cost to keep a poinsettia growing for next year is marginal compared to purchasing a new plant every year.

  • Remove decorative wraps from the planter after the holiday season and place a saucer underneath it. This allows for better air circulation for the roots during the rest of the growing season.
  • Keep water and fertilizer at regular intervals.
  • Move the plant to a larger container, with new potting mix, as the plant grows.
  • Cut back to 5 to 6 inches if the plant becomes long and leggy. Periodically, cut the tips of the branches to encourage more side branching and to maintain a fuller appearance.

Care Throughout the Year

In the summer, growers should move the plant outside in an area with indirect sunlight. Summer is also the time to increase fertilizer to at least twice the frequency.

In mid-summer, trim the plant as needed to keep a manageable size and fullness and move to a location with full sunlight.

After Labor Day, bring the plant inside to a location that gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight, preferably more. This will start preparing the plant for their flowers and their colorful foliage. Growers should also start reducing the frequency of fertilizer.

Long periods of darkness are vital to the iconic colors of the poinsettia. Toward the end of September, they must have at least 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness and 11 hours of bright light each day. Placing the plant in a closet, basement, or under a box can give it the required hours of darkness. During the periods of bright light, make sure to rotate the pot to ensure the plant receives even light from all sides.

Just before Thanksgiving, stop the dark period treatments, reduce the amount of water and fertilizer and place the plant in a sunny area that receives at least six hours of direct light.

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Beauty in the Gardens

The gorgeous Sasanqua Camellias are in full bloom in the gardens. They must be seen up close to really appreciate how lovely they are and see how they brighten this fall season. In January the Japonica Camellias will be in bloom and will provide a splash of color in the wintry months. Visit the garden often and in all seasons so that you can enjoy the variety of blossoms, colors, foliage, trees and shrubs that change throughout the year. 

Support the Montgomery Botanical Gardens when you shop on Amazon and a portion of your purchase will go to improve the Gardens.

1. Go to smile.amazon.com

2. Click the ‘Start Shopping’ button

3. Shop as usual.