How do I get poinsettia leaves to turn red?
For maximum color on new leaves, make sure your poinsettia gets 14 to 15 hours of complete darkness every day. Stick to the routine day in and day out, ideally always at the same time of day. You’re imitating the continuous, long winter nights from its native Mexico wilderness. In their indigenous habitat, poinsettias bloom in the winter, November or December, as a response to the shortening of days. As the northern hemisphere begins to tilt away from the sun, the days become shorter. The response of poinsettias is to go into reproductive mode wherein the bracts turn from green to red.To put it simply, if your poinsettia leaves are green and not red, it has been exposed to too much sunlight. The good news is that this can be reversed by keeping your poinsettia in complete darkness overnight for a few weeks between October and November.Given the right light and warm temperatures, indoor poinsettia plants will last until March or April, continuing to put out colorful red leaves. If you choose to keep it alive year round as a houseplant, a poinsettia can last for 10 or even 20 years.Find a location where the poinsettia will get 14 hours of continuous, uninterrupted darkness and 10 hours of bright light. Some varieties may need as little as 10 hours of darkness, but 14 hours ensures rapid bloom initiation for all varieties. Timed lights can be helpful for this process.Keep your poinsettias away from drafts and chilly air. Poinsettias grow best in well-lit areas, but direct sun or hot lights can dry out the plants. Water your poinsettia when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Place a saucer under the pot, and drain the saucer if water starts to collect in it.
What is unique about poinsettia leaves?
The showy, colorful part of the poinsettia isn’t a flower – it’s a modified leaf. The poinsettia’s modified leaves (called bracts) are often mistaken for the flower. Actually, the small yellow flowers (called cyathium) can be found clustered in the center of the bracts. Poinsettia is a brilliant air purifying plant that makes a bold statement with its colorful bracts and yellow flowers. This Christmas classic is native to the tropics and thrives in bright light with warmer temperatures and humidity.We consider them a Christmas flower, and many people give them around Christmas time to symbolise good will and community spirit. In religious communities, the shape of the poinsettia flower is thought to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem, with the red leaves of the poinsettia symbolising the blood of Christ.The Poinsettia plant is a festive favourite known for its striking red, white, or pink bracts and deep green foliage. Originally from Mexico, it was introduced globally by Joel Roberts Poinsett and has over 100 cultivated varieties today. Popular during Christmas, these plants add seasonal charm to homes.The poinsettia is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Its bright red color symbolizes love, joy, and good fortune. It is also a symbol of rebirth and renewal since it blooms during the winter months when nature is seemingly dormant.
Is it okay to touch poinsettia leaves?
If you experience a mild skin reaction or rash after touching a poinsettia plant, your doctor may suggest you use an antihistamine or 1% hydrocortisone cream as treatment. Touching a small leaf from a poinsettia plant and then immediately wiping the skin clean is unlikely to result in an allergic reaction. Touching it may cause a rash. There have been reports of gardeners who work with the plant frequently developing a rash from handling the plant. So, you don’t have to completely eliminate the plant from your home. After all, it makes for a great holiday décor.
What do I do with my poinsettia after the leaves fall off?
Eventually the leaves will start to drop off. Once this occurs, cut the stems back to four to six inches. Keep the soil fairly dry, and the plant warm until new growth occurs. You can then replant in the garden in a sunny spot. After all the leaves have fallen, store the plant, in its pot, in a cool (50 to 60°F), dry, dark area. Keep the plant somewhat on the dry side; water only enough to keep the stems from withering.
Is poinsettia an indoor plant?
Poinsettias are a tropical plant, so they need similar care to most other tropical houseplants in the winter. They like: Lots of bright light, at least 6 hours per day, although not too much direct sun. Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.Poinsettias Are Clean Air Houseplants All in all, the poinsettia is a safe plant and is on the top of the list of most helpful clean air houseplants. These plants are an excellent addition to your house since they’re able to clean the air and look good while doing it.To water Poinsettias indoors, try to keep a schedule of one watering every 7-10 days, depending on indoor humidity. Keep in mind, however, that outdoor Poinsettias can be trickier in care. To know how often to water a Poinsettia, take a look at its soil: it’s usually your best guess that is your best friend!According to Gardening Know How, poinsettias do well using any all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. If you don’t want to go store-bought though, consider mixing coffee grounds or some a little finished compost into the soil. The added nitrogen will help keep your poinsettia extra healthy.Pruning your poinsettia is important to encourage healthy growth and prepare it for the next flowering phase. After flowering, poinsettias lose their beautiful leaves and become bare. Cutting back the shoots encourages vigorous growth.
What happens if you don’t pinch poinsettias?
July: In early July, pinch back each stem by about one inch. This is to encourage a stout, well branched plant. If left un-pinched, the poinsettia will grow tall and spindly. How to Water Poinsettias. Watering poinsettias is like watering most houseplants: you pour water into the top of the container and keep adding water until it starts coming out of the holes in the bottom of the pot.Watering There is no set number of days when to water your poinsettia. It’s simple really, pop your finger on the soil, if it’s bone dry, water it. Don’t over water it though. What you want to avoid is the roots sitting in water, which will rot the roots – this isn’t good for any of your houseplants.When should I water my poinsettia? Water your poinsettia plant only when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Thoroughly moisten the soil to the point that water is draining from the bottom of the growing pot. Discard any excess water that builds up in the saucer or decorative foil pot cover.Place 4 to 8 ice cubes on the soil of the poinsettia, depending in the size of the pot, hopefully without freezing your fingers. Keep the ice cubes from touching the plant’s stem so the cold won’t kill it. Repeat the above daily (yes, you read correctly!How Long Do Poinsettias Last? If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for two to three months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
What are the benefits of poinsettia leaves?
It’s often used as a Christmas decoration. The whole poinsettia plant and its sap (latex) have been used to make medicine. Chemicals in the dried sap might have pain relieving effects. People use poinsettia for fever, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Plants that are allowed to get too dry will wilt and also drop leaves. The water needs of a poinsettia can be determined with your finger. Check the potting soil daily. When the soil becomes dry to the touch, water the plant until water begins to flow out the bottom of the pot.Poinsettia plants, commonly used during the holidays, are not poisonous. In most cases, eating this plant does not result in a trip to the hospital. This article is for information only.Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.An underwatered poinsettia typically has wilted foliage, says Roethling. If you notice the leaves look wilted, pick the plant up to test the weight or stick a finger in the soil.Check your poinsettia every other day to every third day, depending on light. Another way to water is placing ice cubes on the soil daily to maintain even moisture through the season. The amount of ice cubes depends on the pot size. For small 4 inch- 2-3 cubes daily.