Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants, renowned for their vibrant red and green leaves that brighten up the winter months. But once the holiday season ends, many people simply discard their poinsettia, thinking that it’s a one-time-use plant. However, with the right care, you can keep your poinsettia alive and even encourage it to bloom again for the next holiday season! In this guide, we’ll show you how to give your poinsettia the best chance for survival and how to make it bloom again year after year.
Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away Your Poinsettia
Many people treat poinsettias as temporary decor, discarding them after the holidays when the vibrant colors start to fade. However, if you toss your poinsettia, you’re missing out on an easy opportunity to grow a perennial plant. Poinsettias are actually hardy plants that, with a little love and attention, can continue to bloom for years. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to preserve your holiday decor and save money in the process, taking care of your poinsettia is a great idea.
So, what’s the secret to keeping your poinsettia alive and thriving long after the holiday season ends? Here’s everything you need to know.
Step 1: Keep It in a Bright Spot
After the holiday season, it’s time to reassess where your poinsettia is living. Poinsettias love bright light, so place your plant in a sunny spot, preferably near a window that gets several hours of natural sunlight each day. During the winter months, sunlight can be scarce, so be sure to rotate the plant regularly so all sides get equal exposure.
It’s important to avoid placing your poinsettia near drafty windows, heaters, or radiators, as these temperature extremes can harm the plant. Keep it in a room that has stable temperatures ranging between 65°F and 75°F (18°C – 24°C), and protect it from cold drafts.
Step 2: Watering Your Poinsettia
Watering is crucial for maintaining a healthy poinsettia, but overwatering or underwatering can cause damage. Water your poinsettia only when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil feel dry to the touch. To water, thoroughly soak the soil, making sure the excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Never allow the plant to sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot.
It’s important to note that poinsettias do not like to be overwatered, so err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering. In the winter months, when the plant is not actively growing, it will need less water than during its growing season. Always check the soil moisture before watering to ensure that the plant is not waterlogged.
Step 3: Fertilizing for Health and Growth
Poinsettias benefit from occasional fertilizing to encourage healthy growth. During the active growing season (spring and summer), feed your poinsettia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month. You can use a general-purpose fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). During the fall and winter months, you should reduce the frequency of fertilizing, as the plant is in a dormant phase.
In addition to providing a nutrient boost, regular fertilizing helps your poinsettia stay healthy and strong. If your plant starts to look leggy or its leaves begin to yellow, it might be an indication that it’s not receiving enough nutrients.
Step 4: Pruning After the Holidays
After the holiday season, when the poinsettia’s blooms have faded, it’s time to give it a good trim. Pruning your poinsettia is essential for encouraging new growth and ensuring that the plant remains compact and bushy. Using sharp pruning shears, cut back the long stems by about one-third of their length. Make sure to leave at least a few leaves or buds on each stem, as this is where new growth will emerge.
Pruning encourages the plant to focus its energy on new, fresh growth and prevents it from becoming too leggy. It also helps shape the plant for the next holiday season, ensuring that it will bloom at the right time.
Step 5: Creating the Right Conditions for Re-blooming
Poinsettias are famous for their colorful bracts, which are often mistaken for flowers. These colorful bracts change color when the plant receives the right amount of darkness each day. To help your poinsettia bloom again next holiday season, it’s important to create the right conditions for it to flower.
From late September to early October, begin the process of “photoperiodism,” which is what triggers the poinsettia to bloom. Poinsettias require long periods of darkness—about 14 hours a day—for at least 8 weeks. The rest of the time, they need light to stimulate flower production. To achieve this, place your poinsettia in a dark room or cover it with a box or cloth every night, and uncover it during the day. This consistent dark period will signal to the plant that it’s time to start blooming.
You can also use a lightproof box or a dark bag to ensure that the plant receives the necessary darkness. Be sure to maintain a consistent routine for the best results.
Step 6: Repotting Your Poinsettia
If your poinsettia has outgrown its pot or is looking root-bound (when roots begin to circle around the inside of the pot), it’s a good idea to repot the plant in the spring or summer. Choose a pot that is 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot, and use fresh, well-draining potting soil. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, untangle the roots, and place it in the new pot. Water it well after repotting, but avoid overwatering.
Repotting helps ensure that your poinsettia has enough room to grow and thrive, providing it with the proper nutrients and space for healthy root development.
Step 7: Maintaining Your Poinsettia Year After Year
With consistent care, your poinsettia can bloom again every holiday season. To keep it healthy year-round, continue to provide it with the right light, water, and nutrients. Additionally, remember to prune the plant after each holiday season to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
If you notice that your poinsettia is not thriving or is struggling to bloom, don’t be discouraged. Poinsettias are resilient plants, and with patience and the right care, they can continue to flourish year after year.
Tips for Success
- Humidity: Poinsettias prefer higher humidity levels. If your home is dry, especially in the winter months, you can increase the humidity by placing the plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water, or by using a humidifier.
- Temperature: Avoid placing your poinsettia in areas that experience temperature fluctuations, such as near drafts, windows, or heat vents.
- Patience: Getting a poinsettia to bloom again requires patience, especially when it comes to the long dark periods required for photoperiodism. Don’t rush the process—consistency is key.
Conclusion
Poinsettias don’t have to be a one-time holiday decoration. With the right care and attention, you can keep your poinsettia alive and encourage it to bloom again for the next holiday season. By following the steps outlined in this guide—from proper watering and fertilizing to creating the right conditions for re-blooming—you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of poinsettias year after year. So, instead of discarding your poinsettia after the holidays, give it a second chance to shine and bloom once again!
Don’t let your poinsettia go to waste—revive it and enjoy its beauty for many seasons to come. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever successfully re-bloomed your poinsettia!