The starry-leaved Poinsettia houseplant flowers from December into January, and while many may throw them out at the first sign of wilting, it doesn’t have to be this way.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) emphasised that “it is possible to grow them on for many seasons”.
Regarded as an easy plant to care for, there is one “rule of thumb” you must follow when it comes to watering the Poinsettia.
But, before getting into the proper care for the Poinsettia, you need to ensure you have chosen a healthy plant in the first place.
Do make sure any Poinsettia you buy from a shop or garden centre isn’t drooping, or dropping leaves.
The starry-leaved Poinsettia houseplant flowers from December into January, and while many may throw them out at the first sign of wilting, it doesn’t have to be this way.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) emphasised that “it is possible to grow them on for many seasons”.
Regarded as an easy plant to care for, there is one “rule of thumb” you must follow when it comes to watering the Poinsettia.
But, before getting into the proper care for the Poinsettia, you need to ensure you have chosen a healthy plant in the first place.
Do make sure any Poinsettia you buy from a shop or garden centre isn’t drooping, or dropping leaves.
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The plant enjoys a warmer climate of between 13C to 16C, so they might go into physiological shock the moment you take them from the store to your home.
To help prevent psychological shock, and to keep the Poinsettia in a healthy condition, the RHS advises to ask for wrapping over the top of the plant.
“Or place it in a plastic bag to protect it from the cold outside,” added the RHS.
If the Poinsettia starts wilting and dropping leaves once you get it home, unfortunately, it will continue to deteriorate – no matter what you do.
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Should you have a healthy Poinsettias houseplant at home, the “rule of thumb” to adhere to is to “only water when the surface of the compost had begun to feel dry”.
When a Poinsettia needs watering, the best way to do so is to place the pot in a bowl of tepid water.
Allow the Poinsettia compost to soak up the water for 10 to 20 minutes, then lift the plant out of the bowl, let it drain, then return it to its decorative plant pot.
The RHS added: “The flowering time of plants is extended by humidity, so mist plants every day if you can.”
If you plan to keep the plant into the New Year, then a Poinsettia will need a feed.
The RHS advised: “Apply a fertiliser with high potassium fertiliser, such as a tomato feed, once a month.”
Luckily, Poinsettias generally don’t suffer from pest and disease, but as stated before, they are prone to cold damage.
For this reason, keep the Poinsettias houseplant away from cool, draughty areas in the home.
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