How To Maintain A Poinsettia Plant After The Growing Season?

Poinsettias are popular holiday houseplants that can be kept year-round by proper care. To rebloom, reduce watering once the flowers, bracts, and many leaves have died and dropped off. After Christmas, start feeding your poinsettia with a liquid plant food high in potassium, such as tomato food. In April, prune your poinsettia back to about 10cm and keep at a temperature of 13°C. To encourage the plant to take on a full, bushy shape, prune the stems back in spring and allow the plant to flush out new growth.

To ensure the plant receives complete darkness for reblooming, wait for temperatures to rise above 55 degrees at night (preferably at least 65 to 70 degrees during). Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March, and place the poinsettia in a sunny window when new growth appears. Continue to water the plant when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch.

Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hours of indirect, but bright, sunlight each day. In mid-April pinch back the stems to maintain humidity around the plant. Water only when the surface of the compost is dry and mist the leaves regularly. To keep your poinsettia happy long after Christmas, keep your home at a temperature between 65 to 75 degrees.

Poinsettia plants prefer moist soil, so remove foil around the plant to prevent standing water. When the soil is dry to the touch, expose the plants to 12 hours of darkness by placing them in a dark room from 5 PM to 8 AM the next morning. During the day, place the plants in a cool, dry, dark area, keeping the plant somewhat on the dry side.

Poinsettias bloom in response to reduced light exposure in winter, so the key is to mimic short winter days early enough for it to bloom again by Christmas.

Can you keep a poinsettia alive year round?

Poinsettias are a beloved holiday tradition for decoration and gift giving, as well as indoor plants that can be kept year-round if cared for properly. To keep your poinsettia plant alive, start with a healthy plant that will continue to thrive the following year. Examine the plant at purchase for dark green foliage, unwilted leaves, and bright red bracts. Beware of signs of insect infestation and ensure the plant is completely colored and bright. Insulate the plant with plastic before leaving the store if it’s cold outside, as prolonged exposure to cold conditions increases the plant’s health and lifespan.

What is the lifespan of a poinsettia?

Indoor poinsettia plants can last until March or April, with colorful red leaves, provided they receive the right light and warm temperatures. If kept as a houseplant, they can last for 10-20 years. In their native habitat, they can grow into a 10- to 15-foot shrub and live for decades. However, when kept as a houseplant, they stay small and deteriorate in temperatures below 50°F. To keep a poinsettia alive indoors, place them in a sunny window, ideally an east-facing one, in a warm room, and keep the soil moist.

What to do with a poinsettia at the end of the season?

To maintain the health of poinsettia plants during the holidays, apply an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer once a week. Reduce watering and fertilization once the bracts drop off, and trim the plant back to only a few leaves. With proper care, poinsettia bracts can be maintained until March or April. Once they fall, cut the plant back, leaving six buds. Water and fertilize as usual, and by May, the plant will begin leafing again. For an unusual outdoor plant, take it outside in the spring and place it in a shady location. Cut it back mid-July and early September to stimulate branching.

How do I save my poinsettia for next year?

When the poinsettia plant begins to yellow or loses its ornamental appeal, gradually withhold water, causing the leaves to fall off. The bracts, the colorful leaves just below the true flowers, will be the last to go. Store the plant in a cool, dry, dark area, watering only enough to prevent stem withering. In April or May, remove the plant from storage, cut the main stems, wash the old soil, and repot it in fresh, well-draining soil. Avoid heavy soil and excess moisture, as poinsettias are susceptible to diseases.

Soak the soil well and allow excess water to drain away. Place the plant in a warm, sunny spot for renewed growth, keeping humidity high. Apply a weak fertilizer solution at monthly intervals to encourage rapid new growth.

Do I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To restore a healthy green Poinsettia plant to its original red color, follow these simple rules:

1. Provide total darkness for 14 hours each day, starting about eight weeks before displaying.
2. Ensure bright light during the day, but complete darkness in the evening.
3. Keep the bracts of the plant in a humid environment, but avoid spraying the foliage directly.
4. In about eight weeks, the bracts should all be red, staying this way until after Christmas.
5. Cut the stems back to four to six inches, keep the soil dry, and keep the plant warm until new growth occurs.
6. Replant the plant in a sunny spot, add a light amount of fertilizer in the spring and summer, and start the process again in October. Remember to follow these guidelines to ensure a healthy and vibrant Poinsettia plant.

When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To revive your poinsettia flower, ensure they are exposed to 12 hours of darkness in a dark room from 5 PM to 8 AM the next morning. Place them in a light-filled area during the day from the beginning of October for 8 weeks. Poinsettias are a traditional Christmas decoration that brightens homes and creates a magical atmosphere. With proper care, poinsettias can flower again the following year. Many people discard their poinsettias after the flowering phase, as they turn into a common house plant. It’s crucial to listen to your plant’s needs to ensure it returns to its original form.

Do poinsettias need sun?

Poinsettia plants require 6 hours of bright, indirect light daily, preferably near a window. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent the fade of bracts and dry foliage. Water the plant when the soil feels dry, ensuring it drains from the bottom of the pot. Discard excess water in the saucer or decorative foil pot cover. Watering poinsettias with ice cubes can help water the plant slowly and evenly as it melts.

A typical 6″ pot would require six ice cubes, as overwatering is a major issue during winter. Practicing good houseplant watering habits can significantly improve the growth and health of poinsettias.

How to keep a poinsettia alive indoors?

Poinsettias require a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight daily, and should be kept in a light-filled room with temperatures between 55-65 F at night and 65-70 F during the day. They are sensitive to overwatering and can develop root rot if kept too wet. Water poinsettias when the soil is dry 2 to 3 inches down, and apply an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer once a week. Reduce watering and fertilization once the colorful bracts drop off, and trim the plant back to only a few leaves.

With proper care, poinsettia bracts can be maintained until March or April. Once they begin to fall, cut the plant back, leaving six buds. Water and fertilize as before, and by May, the plant will begin to leaf out again.

For outdoor use, take poinsettias outside in the spring when the danger of freezing is past. Place the plant in a shady location and cut it back mid-July and again in early September to stimulate branching. Starting in October, place the plant in complete darkness for 14 hours, either in a bag or in a closet. By the end of November, the plant will start to color, allowing it to be enjoyed for another season.

How to get poinsettias to bloom again?

Repot your poinsettia plant in late summer with fresh potting media, possibly using a larger container, before nighttime temperatures drop. When nighttime temperatures reach 50 F, bring the plant indoors and provide 14 hours of continuous darkness and 10 hours of bright light. Timed lights can be helpful for this process, but small amounts of light can interfere with bloom production. Continue this cycle for up to two months until colored bracts appear.

If your poinsettia was colorized or dyed, the flower color may differ from when purchased. Reblooming can take significant work and may not be suitable for everyone, so consider buying a new plant instead. Despite the challenges, reblooming can be a fun and adventurous activity for those who enjoy the process.

When should I throw away my poinsettia?

It is possible to maintain poinsettia bracts until March or April, provided that the requisite care is provided. Once the plant has reached the end of its lifespan and has fallen over, it is necessary to cut back the remaining stems, leaving six buds. This process will initially result in the plant taking on a somewhat stunted appearance.

How to bring poinsettia back to life?

On October 1st, the poinsettia requires 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for a period of 8-10 weeks. During the daylight hours, the plant should be situated in a location that receives direct sunlight. At night, it should be relocated to a dark closet or box to promote the process of reblooming. By November, the poinsettia should have reached its full potential, displaying a luxuriant, vibrant red hue in preparation for the holiday season. Should this prove challenging, it is possible to purchase a poinsettia from Ital Florist.