Poinsettia Plant: Growing and Blooming Year Round

If you've been lucky enough to have a poinsettia live throughout the spring and summer, then you'll most likely be charmed by its beauty this winter. In fact, after spending summer outdoors, fall is the time to be moving your poinsettia inside and begin making preparations for holiday blooms.

We all known that poinsettia plants can be finicky. Their specific growing requirements and how well they are met can mean the life and death of your plant. Most of us receive poinsettia plants just in time for the holidays, their stunning red, pink, or white flower bracts already in bloom. But then what? Unfortunately, many of these plants are left to their demise simply because no one is sure just how to care for them once the holidays are over. However, when all of its requirements are met, this plant will continue to put out those stunning blooms again and again.

While they're in bloom, poinsettia plants prefer semi-cool conditions in bright, indirect light. They also need plenty of moisture, humidity, and monthly fertilizer. Once blooming ends, the plant needs to go dormant. You should then cut back on any watering (keeping it just moist enough to prevent excessive drying and keep it alive) and stop fertilizing. Move the poinsettia plant to a cool area until spring.

In early spring, you should cut back the canes to about six inches. You can then resume regular watering and fertilizing practices. You should also increase its light and temperature. Pinching out new growth will promote branching and a bushier plant as well. By late spring/early summer your poinsettia plant can go outdoors. First, move it into a shady area to acclimate, then gradually add more sunlight. If desired, you can even plant them in the ground or repot them in a larger container.

Prior to the first fall frost in your area, you should move your poinsettia plant back indoors. Now it is time for coaxing new blooms. To do this, you'll need to provide bright light during the day with warm indoor temperatures (about 65-70 degrees F.). It will also require at least twelve hours of total darkness at night as well as cooler conditions, around 55 to 60 degrees F. This dark period is especially important for triggering blooming. Oftentimes, people find it easier to place the plant in a dark closet or you can cover it with something, like a box.

Generally, it takes about eight weeks (give or take) for blooming to occur. During this period, you should be watering and fertilizing as normal. Then, hopefully, if all goes well, your poinsettia plant will begin turning color, at which time you can reduce its nighttime darkness and move it back into bright, indirect light. Now all you have to do is enjoy the stunning blooms throughout the holiday season...repeating the whole process over again for year-round enjoyment.

Resources: personal experience
Mitchell's Nursery & Greenhouse (King, NC)