After the Holidays
Shortly after January 1, place the poinsettia in a bright location. A south window is best, but an east or west exposure will be adequate. Remember that an increase in light and heat will increase the plant’s water requirements. Ideal temperatures are 60-70F. Warmer than that and you will see leaf drop and too-rapid a maturation of the flowers and bracts. Fertilize sparingly with a nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 20-20-20- or 10-30-20 – once every 2-3 weeks. Excessive vegetative growth stimulated at this time in the growth cycle will be leggy and weak.

Late Spring and Early Summer Care
During April, prepare to move the poinsettia outdoors by watering less and witholding fertilizer. This will toughen the roots and harden off the plant in preparation for harsh outdoor conditions. This is also the time to take cuttings, repot and prune.

When it really begins to warm up again, repot your plant in the same pot with fresh soil and start to water again - gradually - and fertilize (also gradually). Around August, cut the plant back by a third and make a decision. Do you want a bushy plant with small flowers or a shrubby plant with big flowers ? If you choose the latter, cut the plant back to three to five stems and grow it out (remember to wear gloves when handling if you have sensitive skin). Don’t prune your plant any later than September if you wish to force it to bloom for Christmas.

Flower Forcing
Whether working with new plants from cuttings or an original stock plant, it is necessary to prepare the plant for forcing in order to develop large, colorful bracts. Poinsettias bloom in response to shortening daylight hours and require at least 14 hours of continuous darkness to initiate flowering.

If you wish to coax your poinsettia to bloom in time for the holidays, you will need to put the plant in total darkness for at least 12 hours (14 is better) each night for approximately ten weeks.

Late September or early October is a good time to begin this regimen. You can place your plant inside a box, a cupboard or a closet to achieve complete darkness. Be sure to bring your plant out during the day and place it in a bright, sunny spot.

After it flowers, gradually decrease the water until the bracts all drop, then allow the plant to dry out completely (like many of the euphorbias, this is a desert plant). Store in a place with cooler temperatures (50 degrees); remember you are trying to recreate a Mexican Winter, so a 50 degree basement or garage makes a fine location.

Choose a Strong Plant
The number, size and color of the bracts are not the only criteria to consider when selecting a poinsettia. The true flowers, which are inconspicuous yellow and red bud-like structures in the center of the colorful pinwheel, indicate the freshness of the plant. Poinsettias with dispersed pollen, i.e., the yellow powder at the based of the bracts, will not last as long as those with pollen intact. Also check the condition of the bracts:  Brown edges may indicate damage from overhandling, overfertilization, cold or excess heat – all of which can sharply reduce the keeping quality of the plant. Yellowing and loss of leaves from the base indicate the plant is suffering from dryness.

How to Care for Your Plant
To maintain the color and quality of the poinsettia, protect it from cold drafts or exposure during trasportation home. If the plant has been transported in a paper or plastic sleeve, remove it immediately upon bringing the plant inside (leaving on the sleeve will cause leaf drop). Place the plant in a location free from direct sunlight. Drafts of cold air or heat and physical contact from people or pets should be avoided. Keep the soil evenly moist. Remove excess water from the saucer after each thorough watering.

And then enjoy! If you’re interested in bringing your poinsettia back for next year’s holidays, it can be done.

Note on the poinsettia: A common misconception is that the plant is poisonous. Poinsettias belong to the Euphorbia family and like most euphorbias, the sap is a little caustic and may cause skin irritation (and very possibly indigestion if ingested). Here’s what the Mayo Clinic  and the Universityof Illinois Extension have to say.

While we love them for their perky personalities, they can be a touch persnickety. After all, they are adapted to a sunny, humid climate. Our dry, dark homes are not ideal for them, says Doris Taylor, plant information specialist at The Morton Arboretum.

According to Taylor, there are simple measures to prolong a poinsettia’s life and vibrant color of the bracts, the flower-like leaves (the actual flowers look like tiny buds).

Always place the plant in a bright location, but not in direct sun. Avoid heating vents, and don’t let the poinsettia touch the cold glass, especially poorly insulated windows. A sudden drop in temperature can cause leaf drop.

To raise humidity, group plants together or put the poinsettia on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Keep the soil well watered, but avoid overwatering. “The rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry,” said Taylor.

You can find the standard issue red poinsettia almost anywhere. It’s inexpensive and serves the purpose. There are varieties available at area garden centers and florists that can add a touch more personality to a centerpiece, holiday display or hostess gift. Mindy Clesen, president of Ron Clesen’s Ornamental Plants in Maple Park, IL, a wholesale greenhouse that supplies seasonal color to landscapers and garden centers, as well as The Morton Arboretum, suggests her five favorites.

Polly’s Pink™ has intense, hot pink bracts atop dark leaves. “Generally you can’t find this shade of deep pink in a poinsettia,” said Clesen. It grows a little more vigorously than most poinsettias.

Jester™ has a unique upright shape. “Its pointy leaves almost look like little elf ears,” said Clesen, “so it is very festive in its look and habit.” Jester comes in red, white, pink, marble (creamy white with a blush pink center) or jingle (red with white or pink specks).

Strawberries ‘N Cream™ is a compact plant that grows in six-inch pots or smaller, so it might work well as a table centerpiece. Like its namesake ice cream, the bracts are a creamy white mixed with dark pink. The bracts and dark green leaves are shaped like oak leaves.  

One of Clesen’s favorite poinsettias is Shimmer™ Surprise! Crisp, bold red bracts are set off by dark green leaves with white flecks. “It just seems to hold its color so nicely, even if you neglect it a little.”

Another favorite, Cinnamon Star™, sports large, full red bracts with a tinge of peachy pink at the center. “It looks like they’ve been sprinkled with cinnamon,” said Clesen. “If you were doing a vintage theme, this would be a nice one to work in with some white poinsettias or other flowers, such as Inneuphe graceful sandwort – DIAMOND FROST ®.”

Glad You Asked

Q. What’s the best way to transport a new poinsettia?
A. Enclose it in a bag to protect from cold temperatures. Ideally, warm up your car beforehand. Remove the bag soon after arriving at your destination.

Q. Why did my poinsettia wilt when I left it in the bag?
A. Poinsettias produce ethylene gas, which causes leaf drop when it’s enclosed with the plant for long. “We have found if you package a poinsettia too far in advance, it will droop like it needs water, yet the soil can be soaking wet. It’s hard for them to rebound after that,” said Clesen.

* The Aztecs called poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitl.” During the 14th-16th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts (modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye.

* Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is Mexico City by caravans because poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude.

* In the 17th century, Juan Balme, a botanist, noted the poinsettia plant in his writings.

* The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow. The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning “very beautiful.”

* Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico being appointed by President John Quincy Adams in the 1820s. At the time of his appointment, Mexico was involved in a civil war. Because of his interest in botany he introduced the American elm into Mexico. During his stay in Mexico he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828 he found a beautiful shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a U. S. Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States.

* William Prescott, an historian and horticulturist, was asked to give Euphorbia pulcherrima a new name as it became more popular. At that time Mr. Prescott had just published a book called the Conquest of Mexico in which he detailed Joel Poinsett’s discovery of the plant. Prescott named the plant the poinsettia in honor of Joel Poinsett’s discovery.

By an Act of Congress, December 12 was set aside as National Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States. The purpose of the day is to enjoy the beauty of this popular holiday plant. Learn more about Poinsettia history.