Taking care of your poinsettia

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

The poinsettia is a true symbol of Christmas and many people can hardly wait to add one to their Christmas decor. Because they only bloom at Christmastime you’ll want to maximize the amount of enjoyment you get from your poinsettia.
The poinsettia is native to Mexico and actually grows as a six-foot tall shrub in that country. The poinsettia is actually a member of the succulent family Euphorbia. All Euphorbias have a milky juice that contains latex. This is what makes the poinsettia poisonous to humans and pets so make sure you keep them out of reach.
Most people do not realize that the flower of a poinsettia is actually very small, the coloured part of the plant that we think is the flower, is actually coloured leaves that are called bracts that surround the flower itself. The true flowers are in the centre of the colourful bracts and are actually yellow and are often depicted as berries in drawings. They are not berries but become seedpods after the plant has finished flowering. The colours range from white to almost burgundy with many shades of pink, cream and of course, red, the favourite of most. You can even get shades of yellow with the modern hybrids of today. Much more suited, to be treated as a houseplant for the Christmas season, the poinsettia has become a holiday tradition throughout most of North America.
In order to get the maximum enjoyment out of your poinsettia look at the true flowers when selecting your plant. The plants with the true flowers still closed or just starting to open will give you the longest duration of colourful bracts, usually a range of two to four months.
It is very important that when you purchase your poinsettia make sure that it is not exposed to the cold on the way home and it should be wrapped in paper (not plastic) to protect it from the cold. Make sure your vehicle is warm when you put the plant in it and never place the poinsettia in the direct path of the heater.
Once it leaves the greenhouse it is up to you to give it proper care and to mimic the best growing conditions in your home. The temperature in which you keep your home is ideal for a poinsettia, but make sure you position it so it is not exposed to drafts, such as near a door, also keep in mind that the fireplace mantle is not an ideal spot either, if you plan to light a fire. The colourful bracts will stay that way if the plant receives bright but filtered light (through a translucent blind or sheers) for most of the day. An east-facing or south-facing window is best.
The most common mistake with a poinsettia is overwatering. Once you have your poinsettia home, you will only water it when the potting soil is dry to the touch. Stick your finger right in the soil and make sure the soil is dry below the surface too, if it is then water. Water thoroughly to saturate the soil and then do not water again until the soil has dried out. The plant may have slightly, wilty appearance when the soil is dry but that is your signal that it is okay to water. Remember that this plant is a member of the succulent (cactus) family so overwatering is very harmful. A light misting of the leaves everyday will help keep the humidity needs met and will prolong your colour show.
Loss of leaves following wilting often signals that you are overwatering your plant but if the soil is very dry these same symptoms also signal a plant that has dried out completely and is suffering from drought. If your plant is dropping leaves with no signs of wilt it is indicating to you that is has been exposed to cold temperatures before coming home or is being subjected to cold or hot drafts in the place that you have put it. If you are sure it is not being exposed to temperature changes make sure the light is adequate as low light can also cause leaf drop. If you have a dry house in the winter months your poinsettia may show signs that it is suffering from low humidity if the flower heads drop off and / or the leaf margins on the bracts are yellow or brown. If your plant has these symptoms daily misting can remedy the problem.
By following these few tips for taking the best care possible of your once a year treat of enjoying the beauty of the poinsettia, you will enjoy its colourful display long after the holidays. A future column will provide you with tips on how to save the plant and make it bloom next summer.