Below are tips from poinsettia growers on how to keep your plant looking its best for the holidays.
• Use a large, roomy shopping bag or box to protect your plant when transporting it. Most growers will have plastic sleeves to protect the plant.
• Place your plant in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. If direct sun can’t be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain.
• Make sure the room temperature is between 68 and 70 degrees. If you are comfortable, so is your poinsettia, but the cooler the better.
• Try not to expose poinsettias to temperatures below 50 degrees. Poinsettias are sensitive to cold, so avoid placing them outside during the winter months.
• Avoid placing plants near cold drafts or excessive heat. Avoid placing plants near appliances, televisions, fireplaces or ventilating ducts.
• Be sure to water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.
• Over-watering quickly kills poinsettias. Do not allow them to sit in standing water.
• If possible, remove a plant from any decorative container before watering, and allow the water to drain completely. Plants need oxygen to survive.
Poinsettias also are a great buy for all the time and care that has gone into their production. However, these plants are produced as disposable plants and should be tossed when they decline after the holiday season.