Everything You Need to Know About Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) Plants

Family Name: Spurges

Scientific Name: Euphorbia Pulcherrima

Common Name: Poinsettia 

 

What is a Poinsettia?

The poinsettia plant is popular mainly for its attractive red bracts (the pink, white and light cream colored variety is also available). The religious significance of the plant is also a reason why it is so popular. The plant is popularized by the story of a little girl collecting weed for the church altar, which beamed with religious significance when the weed burst into bloom. Since then, the plant has become a familiar Christmas plant that is widely grown for decorating and enhancing the interiors of homes. December 12^th is celebrated throughout the US as World Poinsettia Day.

 

The Specifications

Poinsettia is native to America and Mexico, but is now shipped worldwide die to its popularity as a house plant. Apart from its aesthetic quality, its size, which is just 45 centimeters (18 inches) is very convenient, and does not get the owner searching for space. However, one caveat that must be remembered while keeping this plant is that it is toxic to cats and dogs. So if you are thinking of getting this plant, you must keep it out of reach of your pets. While buying the plant, you must judge the stage of the buds. The bracts of the plant last from two to six months, depending on the stage they are in when you buy them. So the earlier is the stage, the more it will last in your home.

 

How to Take Care of the Plant

So, what happens after you buy the plant? Obviously, you wait for the flowers to bloom. But what happens after the holiday season is over and the plant is reduced to stubs that are in no way reminiscent of the beautiful bracts? You can be sure that this is the end of your relationship with the plant. However, if you are already attached to the beauty of the bracts, you can go through the process of re-flowering patiently so that you can enjoy the bracts in the next holiday season. Let us look at what you should do and when. Follow these steps carefully to regain the flowers:

• April to May: During this time, you must trim the leftover stems of the plant to a length of about 4 inches. Make sure you do not water them too much as the soil needs to be a bit dry for the healing of the plant. You also need to ensure that the plant has sufficient shade and is not exposed to too much heat. Ideally, the temperature should be around 15-18° Celsius, which is about 60-65° Fahrenheit.
• May to September: During this period, you must re-pot the plant. This process essentially constitutes replacing the existing potting mix (because the nutrients have already been used up by the plant) and transferring the plant to a fresh pot. Make sure that you do not over-water the plant, and before you water make sure that the soil is sufficiently dry. This method is a good way to ensure that the plant is using up the nutrients in the soil, and it becomes easy to understand when you need to water the plant. Typically, you need to water and feed the plant every four weeks. This is also the period when you need to prune the stems that carry the bracts. Choose 4-5 stems that look healthy. Controlling the growth of the plant is an important step in maintaining the beauty and neatness of the plant. Also make sure that the stems you choose have sufficient leaves to sustain the plant. If you feel so, you can go for a bigger pot this time around so that the roots of the plants have more space to sprawl.
• October to November: This period is very important as far as light control is concerned. You need to cover the plant with a black plastic bag or cover and place it near a bright source of light. This cover should be on for about 14 hours per day. Remember, do not suffocate the plant. You just need to make sure that it is not exposed to bright light. Continue the regular process of feeding and watering as before and keep observing the plant doe any growth related issues.
  
• December: This is a time of joy as you can remove the plastic bags as light control is no longer needed. You can see the buds that have come out on the stems, and your next step is to facilitate their growth by watering regularly when the soil runs dry. You will also observe that the plant has also grown taller from when you had covered it with the plastic bag. Make sure that you do not fertilize the soil until February because the normal growth process of the plant has been facilitated and you should not disturb its natural growth. Just give the plant regular care and attention till it breaks into a beautiful bloom.

 

Poinsettia Care

Temperature –Average temperatures from 18 to 24 Degree C (65 to 75 Degree F)

Light –A bright spot near the window –no direct sunlight.

Watering –Once the soil started getting dryer to touch.

Soil –If planning to re-pot during its flowering season, then you can consider a mixture of soil including vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss.

Fertilizer –A balanced range of fertilizer every four weeks.

Humidity –ensure natural room-level humidity –especially during the flowering season.

Propagation –Propagating using stem cuts or using rooting hormone.

 

Things to Remember

You now know the time of the year you should be looking forward to when you are committing yourself to buying the poinsettia. Make sure you buy the plant when the bracts are just about opening up, so the flower will bloom just in time to last the longest. If you choose to re-flower the plant, you can congratulate yourself on discovering a new hobby. Surf the internet for the stuff you need for preparing the mix that you should put in the soil. Investing in good quality manure is sure to yield results sooner or later. Once you are used to the process, there is no stopping you from turning into a pro gardener!

So, as you can see, timing and care are very important if you choose to get a poinsettia plant in your home. However, once you commit yourself to its care, the whole process can become therapeutic for you. Seeing something grow in front of your eyes is a satisfaction that is quite unmatched from other recreational activities. Further, the plant can greatly enhance the beauty of your home.