The poinsettia grows into large bushes in its homeland. In this country it is only grown as a houseplant because it is too cold and windy. In the summer, he certainly appreciates spending time outside on the terrace or balcony.
Can a poinsettia stand outside?
Is a poinsettia suitable for outside? Poinsettias can be placed outside on the balcony or terrace in a partially shaded location in summer, but should be brought indoors in autumn at the latest, as they cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures and are considered houseplants.
The poinsettia is purely a houseplant
The poinsettia is a houseplant that displays decorative, colorful bracts during the winter. Poinsettias need lots of light and warmth to thrive. In our latitudes we can only offer you these conditions in your room.
Put the poinsettia outside in summer
- Prune after flowering
- Repotting the poinsettia
- place outdoors in a partially shaded location
- water when dry
- Make dry when wet
- fertilize occasionally
- bring it into the house in autumn at the latest
Poinsettias are usually thrown away when they lose their colorful bracts. The plant can be made to bloom for several years.
After flowering, it can be taken outside over the summer to “summer over”. Place it in a partially shaded spot outside where it is not too humid. Water them sparingly. You should not place a saucer under the pot to prevent waterlogging. If the poinsettia has not been repotted in spring, you should regularly supply it with some fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon).
Before you send the poinsettia into summer rest, you can cut it back if necessary. The shoots are reduced to half. In any case, you should completely remove all old flowers.
Wintering the poinsettia in the house
The poinsettia can stay outside as long as the temperatures are in the multi-digit plus range. As soon as they drop below ten degrees at night, it's time to bring the houseplant back into the house to overwinter.
Poinsettias cannot tolerate any sub-zero temperatures. They are therefore overwintered indoors because their bracts provide color during the winter.
During the flowering period, the poinsettia needs a lot of light and warmth. However, do not place it directly on the heater as the humidity here is too low. The poinsettia reacts to drafts and too much moisture caused by watering by losing its leaves.
Poinsettias are poisonous
As a spurge plant, the poinsettia is poisonous in all parts. If you keep it outdoors on the terrace or balcony over the summer, make sure that neither children nor pets can get to the plant. There is a real risk of poisoning, especially for small animals.
Tip
To get a poinsettia to bloom for several years, you must first make it darker for several weeks. For at least six weeks, the plant must not receive more than eleven hours of light in order to develop new colored bracts.