Perennial Poinsettias

Poinsettias are a beautiful symbol of the season. They’re a festive decoration and make a cheerful gift, too. If they’re lucky, aspiring master gardeners may even get their poinsettias to rebloom year after year. Most people treat their plants as long-blooming annuals, choosing to repurchase new poinsettias every year. However, though it’s not exactly easy, it is possible to oversummer these tropical beauties. Here’s an almanac of poinsettia care starting with your first plant purchase in December:

December-January

Your poinsettia is in full bloom. Enjoy it! Keep it in bright indirect light and ensure it stays warm (65-70°). It’s important to protect poinsettia plants from cold drafts, so avoid placing them near exterior doorways where an icy blast might shock them. Water plants just so the soil is evenly moist to the touch, following typical watering guidelines for most houseplants and taking care not to overwater. Fertilizing is not recommended during this stage of the poinsettia plant’s lifecycle.

February-March

At this time of year, the poinsettia’s bracts (flowers) will start to fade. Let the poinsettia dry out between waterings, but in no way allow the stems to shrivel. Put the plant in a cool spot like a basement or heated garage, but maintain a consistent temperature near 60°. 

April-May

Move the plant back to a bright spot. When side shoots start to form below this year’s flowers (a process known as branching), remove all the bracts and cut all the stems back to 6" above the surface of the soil, leaving 1-2 leaves each on the old stems. Continue to water normally. When new growth appears, begin regular fertilizing.

June-July

Repot your plant if it is getting too large for its container (this isn’t likely to be the case in the very first year). Even if a new pot isn’t necessary, fresh soil may be a good idea. Regularly water and feed the poinsettia with standard houseplant fertilizer and keep it consistently warm. When nighttime temps are regularly above 55°, place the plant outside in a shady location, pinching back or trimming another 1" from all the branches.

August

All stems should have leafed out by mid-August. Pinch or trim new stems again, leaving 3-4 leaves per shoot. This practice is necessary to keep the poinsettia from getting tall/leggy and to ensure bracts look as pretty in subsequent years as they did in the first. Take the plant back inside, keeping it near a bright window. Water and feed it as you would an ordinary houseplant.

September-October

From about September 20 to December 1, keep the plant indoors in the brightest natural indirect light possible from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  From 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., move the plant to a closet or basement where it will be in TOTAL darkness. The darker the space, the better the resulting flower color will be. A cool spot is preferred, as temps above 70° may delay flowering. Maintain your watering and fertilizing schedule.

November

New bracts will start to show color by early to mid-November. Put your plant in a bright spot and enjoy your poinsettia again for another year! Discontinue fertilizing and water as you would a new plant.