This beautiful tropical plant is a staple in our holiday season! Poinsettias are native to Southern Mexico where they flower during the winter and can grow up to 10 feet tall. With a little TLC your plant can look great all year. Instead of giving that holiday gift the old heave-ho this January, why not keep the party going? Your gorgeous poinsettias aren’t just for winter anymore!
As we have many different temperatures in Canada the process of keeping your poinsettia alive is hard work , but if you love to garden and have a green thumb you will find your poinsettia worth the effort. Next winter when your holiday guests ask you about your flourishing plant, don't forget to gloat!
During the winter months, January to March, you will continuously water your plant. Be sure to never allow your plant's soil to be completely dry. Your plant should be in a warm room with access to a lot of sunlight!
When Spring is in the air, March to May, it's time for your poinsettia to rest. Once the blooms fade (the little yellow flowers in the middle of the red leaves) you know it's time. You will start to water your plant less and less making sure the soil is completely dry before watering your plant again.
A couple weeks into this process you will cut the stems down to about 4 inches tall and move your plant into a cold spot in your house; a cellar or against an outside wall would work best .Keep the plant out of any direct sunlight. Continue to water your plant only when the soil is completely dry; do not allow your plant to soak in water.
When the summer months are finally here, from May to September it's time to wake up your poinsettia. Re-potting your plant will be your first step if it is in the small plastic pot and you can see the roots around the bottom. You want to choose a container with proper drainage that is about 30% larger than the previous pot.
Make sure to wet your soil while re-potting, your poinsettia will be thirsty! Once your plant is cozy in its new pot move it to the sunniest spot in your house, steering clear of your AC and cool drafts. Start watering your plant on a regular basis again, never having the soil completely dry. Once you start seeing stalks, sprouts and leaves grow - now you can fertilize! You can use any houseplant fertilizer mixed at half strength.
Falling into Autumn, September to October will be critical for the blooming of your poinsettia. 8 - 10 weeks prior to your desired bloom time, your poinsettia needs total darkness for at least 12 hours per day. You can put your plant in a closet, cover it with a thick cardboard box or plastic bag-- even indoor lighting will disrupt this step! For 6 hours each day remove the cover as your poinsettia needs to be in direct sunlight, continue watering and fertilizing as usual.
Blooming season is finally here, November to December is when you get to enjoy all your hard work! Towards the end of your poinsettia's total darkness treatment, you should see little buds growing on the stems. Once you see those buds, that is your sign to stop your darkness treatment. You can put your poinsettia in a windowsill so it will get the most sunlight. (Continue to water your plant, but stop fertilizing until the summer months!)
So, what do you think? Do you want to put your green thumb to the test? All you need to get started is a poinsettia plant! Click
here to see our beautiful selection!
