Lemony White ‘Polar Ice’ Poinsettia

Gifts have been opened and a great dinner served. The holiday season may be waning, but your beautiful poinsettia plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) will require some minimal care. Generally, the same weekly care that you provide your house plants will keep your poinsettia looking beautiful most of the winter. Here are some basic tips:

• Place poinsettia in bright natural light but not in direct sunlight. Turn the plant weekly.
• Keep the plant away from hot or cold breezes, particularly away from heating ducts.
• Keep away from children and pets. No, your poinsettia is not poisonous, but protect it from injury.
• The brightly colored bracts should remain fresh if room temperatures do not exceed 75º F or drop below 55º F.
• Water plant thoroughly when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. Never leave the plant sitting in water over several hours. Drain off excess water in the bottom saucer within 30 minutes.
• Feed plant every two week with any water soluble fertilizer recommended for house plants. Examples include Schultz™ and Miracle-Gro™.  Closely follow package instructions.
• Poinsettia quality tends to decline by late February in the home. You may opt to prune it back severely (at much as 70-80%) and begin developing a new plant. Otherwise, you may opt to discard the plant.

‘Prestige’ Red Poinsettia

‘Ice Crystal’ poinsettia