Kerstster (Euphorbia pulcherrima) (2023)

FAQs

How do you care for Euphorbia pulcherrima? ›

Water poinsettias sparingly, aiming to keep the compost moist – allow the top of the compost to slightly dry out before watering again – as overwatering will damage them. Always use tepid water – never cold water direct from the tap.

The Poinsettia plant is a native of Mexico and South America, with its history tracing back to the ancient Aztecs, who saw the plant as a symbol of purity. The plants grow in the wild in deciduous tropical forests. Originally, they were cultivated for a practical reason—to make red dyes and medicines.

Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Poinsettias are a perennial. That means that they can live long after the holiday season is over. In their native habitat of Mexico and Central America, they are large shrubs standing up to 10-15 feet tall, reblooming year after year.

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.

Poinsettias houseplants are relatively easy to keep alive during the short holiday season, but getting them to rebloom next year is a more challenging undertaking. After the colorful bracts fade and fall off the plant after the holidays, cut back the stems just below the flowers.

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.

Yes, poinsettias can live outside in the summer as long as temperatures remain above 45°F. Just be sure to slowly acclimate them to the full sun so the leaves don't burn.

In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve.

Do poinsettias give off oxygen? ›

Meanwhile they give off oxygen, improve air quality, are free of calories, don't need to fit a certain body type and you don't have to remember to spend them like gift cards. A gift plant can be enjoyed by everyone that walks into a room. 1.) Buy a poinsettia now – or as early as you see them for sale.

Poinsettias are photoperiodic. The longer periods of darkness in winter stimulate the formation of flowers. The red bracts don't contain much chlorophyll ( responsible for the green colour of leaves ) but contain pigments called anthocyanins, giving them their bright red colour.

Transplant your Poinsettia plants in the ground when night time temperatures don't drop below 55 degrees F. When you're ready to plant it in the ground, ind a site with full sun. Add lots of organic matter to the planting spot before putting your Poinsettias in the ground.

Contrary to how things look, your plant is not dying. It has finished blooming and is now moving into a resting phase, a period of dormancy that is part of its natural annual cycle. After about half of the poinsettia's leaves have fallen off, you should gradually start to reduce watering frequency.

Answer: Both the Christmas cactus and the poinsettia are not hardy outdoors and will freeze if planted outside. They should remain in their pots and not be planted outdoors in the garden if you live where it freezes in the winter. Repotting is a good idea for the poinsettia especially.

What should I do with my poinsettia after the holidays? Answer: If given good care in the home, poinsettias should remain attractive for 2 to 3 months. Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive.

Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, a small space gardener from California and a consultant at HouseGrail, explains that if poinsettias won't turn red 'you are not letting them absorb the light. They need at least 8 hours of indirect sunlight daily.

Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.

Avoid direct sunlight.

Because poinsettias are tropical plants, they do require some sunlight. But, placing the plant in direct sunlight can cause damage to the plant's leaves. Extreme low or high temperatures and drafts should also be avoided.

Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures, especially when transporting them. Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.

Do poinsettias like rain? ›

Yes, you can. but rain, extreme heat or really cold weather may damage the quality of your blooms. They will still look good, just not as perfect as inside. Outdoor potted poinsettia watering will vary with the weather.

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.

It is possible, but it just doesn't happen if the plant is indoors. Poinsettias require very specific light conditions to allow the plant to make flowers again. This requires some management to get it to bloom for the holidays. Poinsettias have been considered as a holiday plant in the United States since the 1820s.

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.

Once about half of the leaves and "flowers" have dropped, start to decrease watering until the soil is completely dry. This will cause the plant to go dormant. Then store it in a cool, dark location, watering only enough to prevent the stems from shriveling.

POINSETTIA BLOOMING

From mid-September to December, you'll need to make sure your poinsettia gets 13-16 hours of complete darkness per night. You can provide total darkness overnight by: Moving your poinsettia to a closet, windowless bathroom, or basement.

The second best option is to use the ice cube trick. If you can water the poinsettia well once per week, placing 6-8 ice cubes in the container every day will do a good job of keeping the soil adequately moist.

In late spring or early summer, transplant your poinsettia into a larger container (about 2 to 4 inches bigger than the original pot) or into a part-sun garden bed. In pots, use a soil mix with a good amount of organic matter such as peat moss. Make sure your new pot has good drainage.

Poinsettias are short-day plants, meaning their bud set is affected by the length of daylight. To re-bloom, they need 10 weeks with 12 hours of light per day. To artificially create this, it is crucial that you are diligent. Beginning October 1st, keep your plant in complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am.

Place your poinsettias where they will receive at least 6 hours of indirect, but bright, sunlight each day. In mid-April pinch back the stems to 6-8 inches and place the plants in a sunny location. When new growth begins, you may use a liquid fertilizer to ensure the plants get enough minerals, especially calcium.

What is poinsettia in Bible? ›

The symbolism of the Poinsettia

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity.

While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity, in today's language of flowers, red, white or pink poinsettias, the December birth flower, symbolize good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.

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.

As beautiful as poinsettias are, they attract some of the most destructive insects. At least as far as other plants are concerned. The two most common pests found in poinsettias are whiteflies and mites. Whiteflies look similar to aphids, as they're small and white, but they have wings.

The primary disease problems are Botrytis leaf, stem and bract infections, Thielaviopsis root rot, and bacterial stem and soft rots.

If the roots are rotting from over-watering or poor air circulation, there will be a sweet, musty smell. This is a sign that the plant is already on the decline. – Never buy wilted plants, or ones in which the soil has dried out completely.

It is possible to propagate poinsettias by stem cuttings. However, if a plant patent protects the plant, it is not legal. If your plant is not a patent-protected variety, then you can take cuttings to grow new plants. If you have a greenhouse it will be easier to induce the cuttings to form roots.

1st, your poinsettia will require 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for the next 8-10 weeks. Keep in a sunny place during the day and move to a dark closet or place a box on it during the long night. This will encourage the plant to begin reblooming.

Poinsettias have four stages in which fertilization needs vary. These stages are: propagation, initial growth stage, rapid growth stage and the flowering stage.