poinsettia for christmas

1. What is the significance of poinsettia at Christmas?
2. Do poinsettias die after Christmas?
3. How do you keep a poinsettia for Christmas?
4. Can I plant my Christmas poinsettia outside?
5. Can a poinsettia live all year?
6. How did the poinsettia become a Christmas flower?
7. What can you do with poinsettias after Christmas?
8. Will a poinsettia turn red again?
9. Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?
10. When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?
11. How long do poinsettia plants live?
12. Do poinsettias like coffee grounds?
13. How do you care for a potted poinsettia outside?
14. Do poinsettias like full sun?
15. Are poinsettias good house plants?
16. How do you get a poinsettia to turn red again?
17. How do you care for a poinsettia plant indoors?
18. How do you care for a poinsettia indoors?
19. What flower represents Christmas?
20. How do you keep poinsettias alive all year?
21. Is a poinsettia poisonous to a cat?

What is the significance of poinsettia at Christmas?

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. The Poinsettia is also the national emblem of Madagascar.

Do poinsettias die after Christmas?

Poinsettias have been the Christmas plant for almost a century and are as popular today as they were a hundred years ago. They are a perennial plant so they do not have to be ditched after the holiday and will provide a lovely foliage plant all summer long if you are willing to expend a little loving care.

How do you keep a poinsettia for Christmas?

Though they are popular as holiday plants, remember that poinsettias have tropical origins. To keep them happy throughout the season, place them in bright, indirect light. Water them regularly so that the soil stays evenly moist; if the surface of the soil is dry to the touch, it's time for a drink.

Can I plant my Christmas poinsettia outside?

The time to plant poinsettias outside is late March, after the danger of frost has passed. ... Just prior to planting, cut the poinsettia back about half way (even if the colorful bracts are still on the plant). Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location protected from north winds and frost.

Can a poinsettia live all year?

Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care. ... The bracts (colorful leaves just below the true flowers) will be the last to go.

How did the poinsettia become a Christmas flower?

The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn't have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. ... From that day on, they became known as “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”

What can you do with poinsettias after Christmas?

Toss the poinsettia when you grow tired of it or it becomes unattractive. For those home gardeners who enjoy a challenge, it is possible to get the poinsettia to bloom again next season. Cut the stems back to within 4 to 6 inches of the soil in March. The poinsettia may also be repotted at this time.

Will a poinsettia turn red again?

Restoring a healthy green Poinsettia plant from last year back to its original red color is no problem if you follow a few simple rules. The bracts will start to turn color in about four weeks, and continue if you carefully keep up the process. ...

Why are the leaves falling off my poinsettia?

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. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.

When should I put my poinsettia in the dark?

To re-flower your poinsettia, you must keep the plant in complete darkness between 5pm and 8am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts (early to mid-December). The temperature should remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.

How long do poinsettia plants live?

"Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they're really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years."

Do poinsettias like coffee grounds?

Poinsettias do well with good light and indirect sunlight. Poinsettias seem to like a little leftover, cooled coffee—just a cup or so over the course of a week. ... Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries.

How do you care for a potted poinsettia outside?

When you are growing poinsettia plants outside, choose a spot with slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Be sure it drains well to avoid root rot. Don't transplant poinsettia plants outdoors right after Christmas. Once all of the leaves have died back, prune the bushes back to two buds and keep it in a bright location.

Do poinsettias like full sun?

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.

Are poinsettias good house plants?

Poinsettias Are Clean Air Houseplants

All in all, the poinsettia is a safe plant and is on the top of the list of most helpful clean air houseplants. These plants are an excellent addition to your house since they're able to clean the air and look good while doing it.

How do you get a poinsettia to turn red again?

How To Get a Poinsettia To Turn Red

1. Help your poinsettia to turn red by placing it in total darkness for 14 hours each day, starting eight weeks before you want to display it.
2. During the day, the plant needs bright light, but it should be placed in complete darkness every evening.

How do you care for a poinsettia plant indoors?

Place potted poinsettias indoors in indirect light. Six hours or more of light (natural or fluorescent) is best. Keep them comfortable, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees, day or night. Lower temperatures will make them drop leaves almost immediately and shut down.

How do you care for a poinsettia indoors?

To maintain your poinsettia bloom, keep temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to protect them from dramatic temperature drops as this will cause their leaves to prematurely wilt. For best results, keep your poinsettia in a warm room and mist it daily.

What flower represents Christmas?

Holly is closely associated with Christmas and is typically used in the creation of Christmas wreaths and festive garlands. The idea of decorating your home with holly for Christmas dates back to ancient Druids.

How do you keep poinsettias alive all year?

Move to a colder place where the temperature never goes over 60 degrees and out of sunlight. Keep it indoors if you live in dry and hot areas of the country. Sometime in May, repot the poinsettia in a bigger container. Cut all the stems down to about four inches.

Is a poinsettia poisonous to a cat?

Poinsettias

The truth is the poinsettia's leaves produce a sap that can irritate your dog or cat's mouth and esophagus. If ingested, your pet may experience nausea or vomiting. They would need to ingest a significant amount to cause a more serious reaction, though.