The poinsettia has become one of the most popular plants that we use to decorate our windowsills and living rooms at Christmas time. Growing poinsettias is not easy. The plants need proper care. Tips and tricks for growing poinsettias.
How do you grow a poinsettia properly?
To grow a poinsettia successfully, you should water it moderately, fertilize it little, keep it warm and bright, avoid drafts and store it in the dark for several weeks. Repotting is recommended before flowering. The poinsettia can be propagated by cuttings in spring.
Poinsettias are perennial plants
Even though poinsettias are usually only grown for one season, the plants are actually perennial. They are often discarded because new bracts do not form.
With a trick you can make a poinsettia bloom again. It just needs to be darkened for several weeks before the next season.
Care for a poinsettia properly
- Don’t water too often
- fertilize little
- warm and bright
- no drafts
- summer outside if possible
- make it dark for several weeks
- repotting in spring
Poinsettias have a reputation for being demanding to care for. In most cases, the plants are only affected by too much moisture. A poinsettia prefers it dry and should therefore only be watered moderately. It collapses when waterlogged.
A sense of proportion is also required when fertilizing. Cutting is only necessary if the poinsettia is too out of shape. If you grow it as a bonsai, you will have to cut it back regularly.
To ensure that a poinsettia develops colorful bracts for several years, place it darker for six to eight weeks before the desired flowering time. If you don't have a suitable place, simply put a cardboard box (€24.00 on Amazon) over the plant.
Propagate poinsettias
Offshoots of poinsettias can be grown yourself from cuttings. The best time for propagation is spring, before the plant is sent into summer break.
The poinsettia is poisonous
Poinsettias are spurge plants that contain a poisonous milky sap. The risk of poisoning is greater for animals such as cats than for humans.
Nevertheless, you should only care for a poinsettia with gloves if possible. The milky juice can trigger inflammatory skin reactions in sensitive people.
Tip
Poinsettias can't just be kept as potted plants. The shoots with their colored bracts also look good as cut flowers. It is important that the cut ends are treated with heat so that the milky juice cannot leak out.
