Let poinsettias brighten your home this holiday season
If there’s a flower that says Christmas, it’s the poinsettia.
Best known for their bright, red color, poinsettias actually come in many varieties, which include white, pink and purple as well as variegated colors that pop against their dark, green leaves.
“There is nothing that says Christmas more than having a beautiful poinsettia or two on your table. The color selection has become so vast, over 100 cultivars from which to choose, that you can match just about any decor,” said Valerie Sesler, Penn State Extension, Fayette County Master Gardener coordinator and interim area Master Gardner coordinator for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
The poinsettia was introduced to the United States in 1828 by Joel Poinsett, a botanist and statesman who served as the first U.S. minister to Mexico where the plant is native.
Through the years, the poinsettia has grown so much in popularity that the United States Dept. of Agriculture says poinsettias are America’s number-one potted plant, available everywhere from after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
Poinsettias can be seen in many public places, such as conservatories, churches, restaurants and shops.
But poinsettias also claim a place in many homes during the holiday season where they decorate tabletops and fireplaces as well as perk up a corner or doorway. Their beauty is undeniable.
In fact, poinsettias are so popular that they are often given as gifts.
But how do you care for this special holiday flower?
Sesler offered some advice.
“Poinsettia plants are easy to care for,” commented Sesler, but she observed, “They are not outdoor hardy in our plant hardiness zone. You cannot keep them outside because poinsettias like to have day time temperatures of 60 to 75 degrees and night time temperatures of around 55 degrees. Keep them away from warm or cold drafts.”
Also be careful of how much water you give them.
“Water poinsettias when their soil is dry and avoid over-watering,” Sesler observed. “Make sure that excess water can drain from the pot. With good care, a poinsettia will last six to eight weeks in your home.”
Do the plants need any special food or fertilizer?
“Poinsettias should not be fertilized when they are in bloom,” said Sesler. “If you plan to keep the plant past the holiday season, apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month when not in bloom.”
Some people so enjoy poinsettias that they would like to keep them after the winter holidays are past. Is that possible?
“You can keep a poinsettia after the holiday season is over in a location with indirect light, ideally six hours of light per day,” Sesler commented, “Poinsettias require very specific light conditions to allow the plant to make flowers again. This requires some management to get it to bloom for the next holiday season.”
The Penn State Extension website also contains this advice for people who want to rebloom their poinsettias in next year’s holiday season:
“Late March or early April: cut your poinsettia back to 4 to 8 inches above the soil. Water regularly and fertilize once every two weeks with a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer.
“When the nighttime temperatures reach 55 degrees Farenheit, you may place your plant outside. Do not plant the poinsettia directly in the ground.
“Prune the plant in June and July to keep it bushy and compact. Don’t trim after September 1.
“When temperatures begin to get cooler, bring the plant inside.
“Beginning on October 1, the plant must be placed in a completely dark room for 14 hours each day. You may put the poinsettia in a closet, in a dark room, or cover it with a box. During the day, put the poinsettia in bright sunshine. The poinsettia needs a long night and a short day.
“In early- to mid-December you should see color on the leaves and you should have a colorful poinsettia for the holiday season.”
Meanwhile, enjoy your poinsettias this holiday season as they brighten your home and promote Christmas cheer.