How to care for a poinsettia
A poinsettia comes home from the shop at its best, and often doesn't see the New Year. It is rarely bad luck: it is the cold on the way home, a draught and too much water.
To care for a poinsettia, give it bright, indirect light, keep it away from draughts, radiators and icy windows, and water only when the top of the compost has dried. On an east-facing windowsill, in a 16 cm plastic pot, it needs water every 14 days in January.
What is a poinsettia, exactly?
The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has red, pink or cream «petals» that are really coloured leaves, called bracts. The true flowers are the small yellow buds in the middle. The colour appears as the days shorten, which is why the plant peaks in December.
How do you get it home from the shop?
The journey is the first test. Sources agree that cold and draughts make leaves and bracts drop, so wrap the plant well before it leaves the shop and never leave it in a cold car. At home, remove the plastic sleeve or pierce it at the bottom so water doesn’t pool around the pot.
Where should a poinsettia go?
Look for bright, indirect light, such as an east-facing window or a well-lit spot near a window. Penn State Extension and Purdue say indirect light suits it better than strong direct sun; some nurseries advise more light, so if the bracts fade, try a slightly brighter spot.
Even more important is where not to put it:
- Beside doors and windows that open, where cold air comes in.
- Next to radiators, fires and warm-air vents.
- On top of the television or other appliances that give off heat.
The RHS gives a minimum of around 13 to 15 °C during the flowering season. A steady, mild home suits it far better than one that swings between cold and hot.
How should you water a poinsettia?
According to the RHS and university extensions, a poinsettia suffers from too much water as much as too little. The rule the sources repeat is to water when the surface of the compost feels dry, and never leave the pot standing in water. With your finger in the compost:
- If it is damp, wait.
- If the surface has dried, water slowly until it runs out of the drainage hole.
- After a few minutes, empty the saucer.
The room and the light change the rhythm, and heating dries the air and the compost faster:
| Where it lives | In July | In January |
|---|---|---|
| East-facing window | 7 days | 14 days |
| South- or west-facing window | 6 days | 13 days |
| North-facing window | 11 days | 23 days |
| Hallway or corner with no window | 16 days | 33 days |
If you’re unsure about the finger test, read how to tell if a houseplant needs water.
Why is my poinsettia dropping leaves?
It is the commonest complaint, and the causes the sources give keep coming back:
- Cold or a draught, from doors and from heaters alike.
- Waterlogged compost (a full saucer, a sleeve that traps water) or, at the other extreme, compost that dried out completely.
- Very dry, hot air, next to a radiator.
Change one thing at a time and give it time: a plant that has just moved often drops a few leaves before settling. If the compost always looks wet, see also what to do about white mould on houseplant soil.
What about after Christmas?
Plenty of people don’t keep it after the festive season, and that is fine. If you’d like to try, the RHS suggests pruning it hard in April, repotting it and spending the summer in a light, cool place; without these steps the plant tends to get leggy and sparse. Getting it to colour up again in December needs long, completely dark nights for several weeks from autumn, according to the RHS and nursery guides. It is a project for the patient, with no promises, and many people simply enjoy it while it lasts. If the plant seems to have stalled, remember that houseplants slow down in November.
Summary: poinsettia care
| Care | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright and indirect |
| Watering | When the surface of the compost dries; empty the saucer |
| Temperature | Mild and steady; no cold or draughts |
| Spots to avoid | Doors, cold windows, radiators, fires |
| Leaf drop | Cold, a draught or watering that is off |
| After Christmas | Optional: pruning, fresh pot and dark autumn nights |
Quick questions
Can I leave it on a cold windowsill? It’s a risk: cold glass and draughts make leaves drop. Move it away from the glass on freezing nights.
Can I keep it in the bathroom? You can, if there is bright light and no draught. Without a window, no.
Knowing to care
A poinsettia asks for attention to three things that are easy to forget: the spot, the compost and the season. In Verdejar you say where it lives and how bright it is, and the app handles the rhythm of watering and reminds you in good time.
Sources: Royal Horticultural Society · Penn State Extension · Purdue University Extension · Oklahoma State University Extension. The days between waterings come from the Verdejar watering engine.