Poinsettias place a number of demands on care and location. Only if the space is right will the plants remain he althy and can be grown for several years. The site conditions must be adapted as closely as possible to the conditions of their origin in Central and South America and Mexico.
Where should a poinsettia be placed?
The ideal location for a poinsettia is bright, warm and slightly sunny, without direct midday sun. East or west windows are suitable in the room; on the balcony it should be placed in partial shade and protected from the wind. Avoid drafts and increase the humidity if necessary.
The right location in the room
- Bright
- warm
- slightly sunny
- little direct midday sun
- protected from drafts
Windows that face east or west are ideal. If you have south-facing windows, you should provide light shading during midday. Otherwise the leaves can burn and the plant will dry out too quickly.
The poinsettia doesn't like drafts at all. Place it in a protected place when you open the windows for ventilation.
Find a suitable location on the balcony
In the summer, the poinsettia likes to move to the balcony. However, the temperatures must then be well above freezing point – even at night!
On the balcony, the poinsettia prefers a warm, partially shaded spot where it is not drafty. Direct sunlight, especially at midday, should be avoided if possible. Do not place the pot on a saucer. Then rainwater or excess irrigation water can drain away better.
You can also plant a poinsettia in the garden in summer. Here it also needs a partially shaded, wind-protected place. Make sure that the substrate is permeable to water so that no waterlogging occurs even during heavy rain.
Tip
The poinsettia doesn't like humidity that's too low. In such a location it is often attacked by fungus gnats and spider mites. Increase humidity by having open bowls filled with water nearby.
