Are you planning to buy a Christmas star this year? Or have you already bought one? Whatever your situation, it’s imperative that you know the right things to do to successfully care for your poinsettia and enjoy remarkable blooms as the holiday season approaches. Location, watering, fertilizer, flowering during the next year, I give you all the information you need so that the star plant of the end of the year celebrations blooms again in 2023! And believe it or not, it’s not difficult at all.
Poinsettia care tips are not complicated and are actually similar to those for other plants. Once these good gestures are mastered, your poinsettia will offer you a beautiful lush flower and even the Christmas table decoration absolutely have. So don’t wait any longer and find out how to care for the star plant of the end of the year celebrations.
Choosing the right place is essential for the good health of the plant.
Did you know that the signature Christmas plant is native to Mexico where the weather is nice, warm and humid? To have a plant in good health, it is important to recreate the same environment as that of its country of origin. So there is no need to explain to you why installing a poinsettia outdoors is not a good idea at all during the winter period.
The first thing to know about this fiery red plant is that it hates variations in home temperatures, as well as drafts. So, the mercury in the room should be between 18 ° C and 20 ° C.
As for the location, the Christmas star appreciates abundant, but not direct light. The ideal would be to install the pot near a window or bay window. Never place your poinsettia in full sun as you will see its flowers and leaves dry out. Also avoid placing it on a fireplace, near a heat source and in a room where the air is dry. Every change in conditions can cause a shock to the plant. In short, this plant will grow best in a room where the above factors do not change.
For successful maintenance and watering of pot poinsettias, a few simple rules are essential. First of all, it is important to remember that watering is only done when the substrate is dry. Be sure to always empty the saucer of excess water to prevent the roots from soaking in water. Otherwise, it will rot and the plant will eventually die. But, how to water a pot of poinsettia exactly? Here is the second key factor of irrigation that urgently needs to be mastered. In this case, I advise you to click on the pink link above to discover my article completely dedicated to watering the Christmas star.
Warning : Be aware that if the air in your home is too dry (a common occurrence in winter due to heaters), the poinsettia’s leaves may turn white and the leaves may begin to fall. To save your plant, do not hesitate to spray water on the leaves.
Poinsettia maintenance in winter: do you need to fertilize?
No, the maintenance of the poinsettia in winter does not require fertilizer inputs. Never fertilize during flowering. Outside this period, conception can start again. Prefer liquid fertilizer for flowering plants and apply once a month. This will definitely extend the life of your poinsettia.
In most cases, people tend to get rid of their Christmas tree after the end of the year celebrations. Why? Because the plant withers and very often it looks like it is dead. A very bad idea! Indeed, it is quite possible to rebloom a poinsettia to give it a second life and take advantage of its excellent flowering the following year. To find out how to do this, click on the rose link below where I have explained the steps to follow after its flowers fall off. Yes, yes, I love poinsettias too much and I don’t miss the opportunity to tell you about them.
Finally, don’t hesitate to watch the video below where Tom the Gardener reveals how to care for a Christmas tree once purchased.