Poinsettia Care

Temperature

• Day average about 68° or higher.
• Night about 50° to 65°.
• Avoid chilling. 
• Avoid drafts, cold or hot.
• Do not place in front of opening doors, heat registers or fireplaces.  Do not place on top of TV or other appliances.

Water

• Allow soil to dry slightly, then water thoroughly.
• Remove foil wrap after watering and drain excess water. 
• Do not allow plant to sit in water.
• Do not allow drying or wilting.
• Reverse Osmosis water is recommended.
• Mist daily with Reverse Osmosis water.  City water may cause leaf spotting.

Light

• Display Poinsettia in light bright enough to read by while it is in bloom.
• After blooms fade, move it to a bright window.

Growth

• After color fades, you may discard the plant or attempt to rebloom.
• If reblooming, prune leaves in the spring.
• Place outside in bright light but not strong sun, in late May.
• Fertilize every two weeks.
• Bring inside in September.
• Keep in total darkness for 14 hrs. a day for 40 straight days.

When Things Go Wrong. . . .

• Problem:  Leaves are rotted, wilted, bleached out.  Plant turns yellow and drops leaves.
• Cause:  Too much water.
• Cure:  Let plant dry out between waterings.

• Problem:  Leaf tips turn brown, yellow.  New growth is stunted.  Begins to drop buds.
• Cause:  Not enough humidity or excess Chlorine in water.
• Cure:  Mist daily with Reverse Osmosis Water.  Water with Reverse Osmosis Water.

• Problem:  Plant stems are limp.  Leaves have yellow and brown spots and curl under.
• Cause:  Not enough water.
• Cure:  Water regularly.

• Problem:  Leaves are discolored.  Tips turn brown and die.
• Cause:  Not enough bright light.
• Cure:  Move plant to a spot with six hours of bright light.

• Problem:  New growth dies back.  Stems are soft and dark.
• Cause:  Root rot.  Roots cannot absorb water.  Plant has been waterlogged and infected.
• Cure:  Discard plant unless you have a reason for taking extreme measures to attempt a rescue.

• Problem:  Bugs
• Cause:  Whitefly, spider mites, mealy bugs may attack your poinsettia indoors.
• Cure:  Spray with Fertilome Indoor/Outdoor Spray.

For more information on Poinsettia see Poinsettia, The December Flower.  Christine Anderson & Terry Tescher.