About Poinsettias
-
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and belong to the Euphorbiaceae or spurge family.
-
Poinsettias add color and beauty to the interiorscape during the holiday season. You will find not only the traditional red, but also white, pink, and marbled colors. White poinsettias sometimes are dyed with other colors such as blue or orange.
-
New hybrid introductions are made every year. Hybrid varieties of poinsettias make it possible for them to last longer indoors than ever before.
-
The showy colored parts of poinsettias are not flowers but are colored bracts or modified leaves. The flowers (cyathia) are yellow and are located in the center of the bracts.
- Indoors, proper care helps poinsettias maintain their appearance and increases their longevity.
How to care for Poinsettias
-
Plants prefer room temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F.
-
Make holes at the bottom of the decorative pot cover or remove it completely to prevent water from sitting in the bottom too long. Too much water can drown roots. Check the soil moisture daily and water plants only when the potting media becomes dry.
-
Do not place plants in areas prone to drafts such as near heat vents, fireplaces, or doors, and windows because leaf and flower drop may occur. Never place poinsettias near a cold window. Place in an area with bright natural light from the south, east, or west but avoid direct sunlight.
-
Fertilizing is not necessary during the holiday season.