Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Poinsettias are perhaps one of the most iconic of the holiday foliage that we adorn our homes with every year, surpassed only by the famous “Christmas” tree. The cheerful red leaves are perfect for brightening any room and providing a vibrant accent to our holiday decorations that is hard to beat. When the holiday festivities are over, however, many people lose interest in these beautiful leafy plants, and often throw them away after the bright leaves begin to wilt or fade. But often, this withering of the poinsettia occurs not because the plant has completed its full life capacity, but rather, because we don't take care of them after the holidays have passed. Amazingly, a poinsettia can survive longer than the typical two or three holiday months we tend to keep them, and if they are given proper care, you can enjoy their seasonal color year after year!
We usually see poinsettia plants appear in stores in late fall or early winter, and there is something distinctly traditional about the presence of the bright, red leaves against a snowy-white background. Even here in Florida where it doesn't snow, we connect these seasonal plants with the cold chill of winter, and most people don't even consider decorating their homes with them in the dead of summer. This is highly ironic, however, as the poinsettia itself is not cold-hardy, and is actually a tropical perennial shrub, thriving in hot weather. Originally native to Mexico, they grow wild in deciduous tropical forests from southern Sinaloa down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala.
In their native environment, poinsettias “bloom” in winter, when the temperatures hover between 65 and 70 degrees. The bloom is not an actual flower, though, but are modified leaves called bracts, which change color depending on light exposure. As the winter days grow shorter, the plants react to this change in light and the leaves surrounding their flowers begin to change color. The flowers themselves are small, yellow blooms that rest in the center of the petal-like bracts, and offer a subtle pine-like scent.
These striking plants often get labeled as “highly toxic” to pets and children, but are actually only mildly toxic. If your dogs or cats love to chew on plants that are placed in the house, it is best to keep the poinsettias out of reach or in a pet-free room. If your pet does ingest poinsettia leaves, you can expect them to exhibit vomiting, drooling, lethargy, decreased appetite, and diarrhea. While there is no antidote for poinsettia poisoning, the relatively low toxicity means that medical treatment is rarely necessary. If symptoms persist, seek veterinary assistance.
As far as toxicity with children, risk is also exceptionally low. In fact, a study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child would have to eat well over 500 poinsettia leaves to have a harmful effect. Poinsettias do have a white, sticky sap that can be irritating to the skin, especially to those who are sensitive to latex, so definitely supervise any children around the plant and wash any sap residue quickly to avoid discomfort.
After the new year, you may be wondering what to do with your poinsettia. You have enjoyed its bright color as a decoration, but the time has come for clearing away the holiday clutter and returning to “pre-holiday” décor. Now what? Well, there are several options to consider:
Let them be! While poinsettias are traditionally known as holiday plants, they can survive quite happily indoors after the new year. To transition your “holiday” plant to an “everyday” plant inside your home, first remove the holiday attire; any glitter should be gently wiped away from the leaves, bows can be removed and any foil or festive wrapping that the pot rests in should be removed. Feel free to repot the plant in a container that matches your household decoration scheme. Water your new houseplant regularly, and keep it in an area that has lots of natural light. Artificial light will not encourage your plant to thrive. Avoid areas where your poinsettia will be hit with a fan or draft from an air conditioner vent, as they are not cold-hardy. Keep them in a warm room that gets lots of sunlight.
If their current pots are reasonably sized, you can move a potted poinsettia outside after the nightly temperatures stay no lower than 55 degrees (F) regularly, and all risk of frost has passed. Don't forget to remove any decorative pot cover, like foil or holiday wrapping that will prevent the pot from properly draining. When deciding where to put your potted poinsettia outside, be sure to avoid putting the pot where there is a lot of artificial light, as this can negatively impact the plant's health. Place the pot in an area with full-sun. Water the plant regularly, but be careful not to over water. Poinsettias are notorious for getting fungi and mold issues, so be sure to allow the soil to become semi-dry to the touch in-between waterings.
Poinsettias make attractive additions to a garden as well, and thrive in areas with full-sun and good drainage. While these plants can survive in partial shade, they will begin to reach toward sunnier areas, giving the shrub a longer, rangier look. Feed your poinsettias after their spring pruning with an all-purpose fertilizer.
Whether you decide to plant your poinsettias or keep them in their pots, and whether they are kept indoor or outdoor, they will need to be pruned twice a year. Keep in mind the helpful hint of the “A months,” as your pruning is best done in April and August. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin against any irritation caused by the sap. If you don't want to do a heavy pruning, simply trim back any dead, dying or limp foliage with clean gardening sheers. Avoid cutting off healthy, vibrant growth.
For those who crave a heavy pruning in April, wait until your plant begins to drop its leaves, and then trim back all stems by one third. For a compact plant, only keep two or three leaves on each stem. Never prune more than 30 percent of the plant. Poinsettias grow naturally as large shrubs, so to keep them small and compact, trim the stems to about 8 to 6 inches long. As new shoots emerge, pinch them off to maintain a rounded shape, if desired.
For the August pruning, simply pinch back new growth to encourage the desired shape. Leave three or four leaves per stem. Never pinch back or prune a poinsettia after early September if you are hoping for a bloom that year.
The color is going to fade from your plant's vibrant bracts; this is normal! By the end of the summer, your poinsettia's growth will be completely green. The red color will begin to develop again around the weather change in mid to late-September and you can encourage this by meeting the plant's needs. To “bloom,” a poinsettia needs 15 hours of darkness every night. If your plant is in a pot, place that pot in a dark closet each night. A plant in the garden can be harder to encourage, and if your plant is small, consider covering it with a large cardboard box to give it the required amount of darkness.
Protect your plant from frost! It is not cold-hardy and will die in harsh weather. For a well-established plant in the garden, cover to protect against frost, and once the weather warms, trim away any damaged or dead stems until you reach healthy wood.
Each year, more than 35 million potted poinsettias are sold across America, making them the number one selling potted plant in the country. Sadly, the majority of these plants end up being thrown out after the new year, despite being capable of surviving for years to come with the proper amount of care. If you're planning on throwing out your poinsettia plants this year, consider gifting them to a garden-savvy friend, or planting them yourself. While some people may be put off at the idea of planting a plant that may not survive, the plant certainly won’t survive if it's chucked in the bin.