Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular potted plants, particularly during the Christmas season. Brightly colored and mostly red, a Poinsettia provides effective color in home decor during and after the holiday season.
Attributes
Type:Perennial Holiday Plant Height:10in – 12in Spread:10in – 12in Pet Safe:Can be mildly toxic to pets
Care
General Maintenance:The Poinsettia isashort day plantthat blooms in reaction to the natural shortening of the days in fall.In order for you to ‘set’ the time of bloomingfor Christmas, your plant must be subjected to 14 hours oftotal darknessper daywith a night temperature of 10 Celsius. beginning in mid September.
Temperature:Poinsettias prefer temperatures around 18 – 21 during the day, and 12 – 15at nights. Temperatures below 10or above 26Celsius will cause the plant to lose leaves. Keep your poinsettia far away from heaters or cold drafts.
Light:Typically these plants would like about 6 hours of indirect sunlight in a day, but you mayneed to give them less light if you are trying to ‘set’ their bloom time.
Watering:Prefers moderately moist soil, allow the first few inches of the soil to dry out between watering. Water until it begins to come out of the drainage holes, but do not allow your plant to sit in excess water.
Soil:Any average, well-draining potting soil will work well.
Fertilizer:Feed your plant every two weeks with an all purpose liquid fertilizer while the plant is actively growing.
