\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. The bracts (colorful leaves just below the true flowers) will be the last to go. Be aware that temperatures below 50 degrees will chill the plant and cause severe damage, while exposure to frost will kill it. Blooming Beauties: Awe-Inspiring Aster Season Delights Nature Lovers. Keep your poinsettias away from drafts and chilly air. The best way to water the plant is to move it, pot and all, to the sink and soak it thoroughly. Poinsettias might seem short-lived because they usually start dropping their brightly-colored bracts (the modified leaves that often get mistaken for petals) and looking sparse soon after the holidays are over, but today's varieties actually last much longer than they did even a few years ago. Approved. Poinsettias are absolutely everywhere during the holidays, and for good reason! Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous, although some people are sensitive to the sap, which contains latex. The fungus can eventually take over the entire branch or plant if left uncontrolled. The spring pruning should be done once the plant has finished blooming, and the second pruning should be done during late summer. When the holidays are over, consider saving your poinsettia to plant in the landscape. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Weeds like tropical signalgrass, crabgrass, Virginia buttonweed and spurge have all turned brown. Once the colorful bracts fade and fall off the plant after the holidays, cut back the stems just below the flowers. Also be aware that poinsettias are considered toxic to pets, including cats and dogs, if ingested so if you have furry friends that are particularly curious or mischievous it may be best to keep them safely locked away during pruning. In August, pinch off about an inch from each growing tip to encourage your plants to branch out. Read our. Dull tools can tear or rip the delicate leaves and stems, resulting in damaged plants. For serious infestations, chemical control may be needed. Box 2833, Orlando FL 32802. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keep the soil moist, but never soggy. Overnight, the plants can't get any light at all; even the crack under a door is enough to disrupt them. The leaves will pale and fall off. "I have had poinsettias at Christmas for many years and then thrown them away, but now I can use your tips to keep. Let it drain until . [8] If you bought your plant in winter, it is likely to be in a pot wrapped in foil. It's been in an east-facing window. The bracts are only now (May 2020) turning green. Poinsettias are popular plants that most people enjoy as potted annuals during the holiday season. Poinsettias do not produce flowers year-round. This will help roots form from the leaf nodes, in addition to growing from the bottom of the stem. Before trimming any branches, it is helpful to remove dead or dying foliage from the plant so you can see the branches clearly. Poinsettia Care: After Flowering - YouTube Also, check the real flowers in the center of the bracts. Youll also want to have a pair of gloves to protect your hands from any sharp edges or possible toxins on the plant. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 4 August 2021. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/poinsettia/facts.cfm, https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/4112, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/gardening-advice/a565756/how-to-care-for-poinsettias/, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=146, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/how-do-i-care-for-poinsettias/. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Some can hold their color for months instead of just a few weeks. It is also possible that the plant loses only the . Andi Xoch is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Latinx with Plants, a plant shop and resource based in Los Angeles, California. I just cut back my poinsettias and it was quite a job! Rebecca Jordi. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. Choose a spot that gets bright, indirect light (somewhere that gets shade in the afternoon would be perfect). Web. For the first pruning in spring (April), remove all foliage and cut all branches back to 4-6 of height. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I think the best time to do it is after their blooms have faded and the stems have become a bit woody. You can also use poinsettia cuttings to decorate wreaths and garlands. Rather than the straight, pointed bracts we're used to, rose poinsettias have bracts that curl slightly back and under, making them look like clusters of roses in full bloom. Keep them in a warm and sunny spot, away from drafts and sources of heat. Water your poinsettia when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, How to Prune Annabelle Hydrangeas for Beautiful Blooms, How to Prune a Peace Lily So It Looks Its Best. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Poinsettias have been a Christmas staple in the U.S. for nearly 200 years, but that doesn't mean everyone knows how to take care of these tropical flowers. Remembering the "A" months is a helpful tip, April and August. Poison Control. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Place the poinsettia near a sunny window or in a bright, well-ventilated spot for best results. Poinsettias are tropical plants that hail from southern Mexico and Central America, so if it's any colder than 50F outside, make sure you wrap them up before exposing them to the cold air. % of people told us that this article helped them. The best time to prune the poinsettia is at the end of January . The key to keeping poinsettias healthy and vibrant is proper pruning. Root rot is another fungal disease to look out for. That's great to hear! "We were given a poinsettia in Dec 2019 as a 'new home' present. The poinsettia, native to Mexico, was given the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, which literally means "very beautiful." Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, and avoid overwatering as this can lead to disease and root rot. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cut each plant back to within 12- to 18-inches of the ground or soil. Cut the plants back to about a foot above the soil, and let them begin growth. Be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors to avoid damaging the plant. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. No part of the plant is edible however. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. What is the optimal time to cut back a poinsettia? The answer ultimately depends on the size and shape of your poinsettia. If your plant is too close to one or exposed to drafts when outside doors are opened, the cold can damage the leaves. This article has been viewed 182,395 times. Expert Interview. You should also sterilize your pruning shears to ensure that you dont accidentally introduce harmful bacteria to your poinsettia through unsterilized shears. This is the trick for triggering new flowers and for the bracts to turn red. To propagate the cuttings, you can either place them in a jar of water or directly into soil. Around mid-March, either plant them in the ground in similar growing conditions or add them to a larger container. You should cut back your poinsettias once a year, in late spring. Each branch should have three to four leaves remaining. Guns do kill people. Using pruning shears or scissors, cut back the stems of the poinsettia to just above a node or set of leaves. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Support wikiHow by Poinsettia Pointers: Caring for Potted Poinsettias (PDF infographic), Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). For tips on how to pick a healthy poinsettia from the store, keep reading! With so many different varieties of poinsettias to choose from, you can create colorful displays to coordinate with just about any style. Cut the Branches Back. A Guide to Flowering Times. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-1.jpg\/aid11324070-v4-728px-Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"