\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Andi Xoch. Poinsettias can retain their color until March if they are not exposed to freezing temperatures. Keep a small watering can (try this Better Homes & Gardens .35 Gallon Metal Watering Can, $15, Walmart) nearby to give them a drink anytime the soil is dry. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. During the other hours of the day, the plant should receive normal lighting conditions. Poinsettia plant can thrive outside with a wide range of temperatures from 23-104 F (-5 to 40 C), without affecting the flowering. Slightly humid air will help prolong the plants' color and life span; consider misting the plants with a sprayer or placing them on gravel trays. Here are a few tips to help you prune your poinsettia safely. What Does an Overwatered Aloe Plant Look Like? With a little bit of care and attention, you can enjoy the beauty of poinsettias all year round. Q: It has been suggested pruning my split-leaf philodendrons to remove the lower leaves would help them grow fuller plants by spring. Cut back poinsettias in late March or April when the plant is actively growing. Then, pat the soil down around the plant, and water well. At the beginning of June, prune back the plants so they're only about six inches tall, and repot them in a slightly larger container with fresh potting soil. By using our site, you agree to our. This is especially important if you put your poinsettia inside a larger decorative container (known as a cachepot) that doesn't have drainage holes. Another benefit of cutting back a poinsettia is that it can encourage more blooms. You'll need to pinch back your poinsettia several times during the summer. When the leaves begin to yellow or when the plant is no longer desired as an ornamental, gradually withhold water. Water 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. Joseph Tychonievich is a gardening expert with two decades of work in horticulture, the author of three gardening books, and known for his deep knowledge of the science behind techniques for successful gardening. Revive Your Holiday Decorations: How to Care for Cut Poinsettias, How to Care for Your Poinsettia Plant Outdoors, Uncovering the Many Uses of Poinsettias: A Comprehensive Guide, Bring the Holidays Inside: Growing Poinsettias Indoors. Using sterilized pruning shears, cut the branches of your poinsettia plant back. 4 August 2021. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/poinsettia/facts.cfm, https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/4112, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/gardening-advice/a565756/how-to-care-for-poinsettias/, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=146, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/how-do-i-care-for-poinsettias/. Using sterilized pruning shears, cut the branches of your poinsettia plant back. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Cutting back and repotting my poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Cut off a stem that has several leaves and is free of any signs of disease. Poinsettia plants come in many sizes and their bracts come in a wide range of shapes. Water 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. Fertilize poinsettias every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Will they grow back without special care? % of people told us that this article helped them. It wasn't until 1825 that the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, introduced the poinsettia to the U.S. Pruning poinsettias can be a bit intimidating, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be a fairly simple task. % of people told us that this article helped them. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To care for a poinsettia, first, choose a spot where your poinsettia can get 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day. If you do it too early, you could risk encouraging too much foliage growth and the plant may not bloom. When cut poinsettias exude a milky, latex-like sap that can easily drip onto the surfaces around them if they arent protected. Then, for about eight weeks, your plants will need about 14-15 hours of uninterrupted darkness every day, and nighttime temperatures around 65F. Split-leaf philodendrons make minimal, if any, growth during the cooler months, and removing only lower leaves does not guarantee fuller plants. Cover your plants every day around 5 p.m., and uncover them in the morning between 7-8 a.m. During the day, make sure they're still getting plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. You should also avoid exposing the poinsettia to cold drafts, or to dry heat from radiators, appliances or open fires. You can also use poinsettia cuttings to decorate wreaths and garlands. Web. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://extension.psu.edu/poinsettia-diseases, http://urbanext.illinois.edu/poinsettia/selecting.cfm, http://landscapeontario.com/home-care-tips-for-your-poinsettia, http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/festive-poinsettias/index.html, http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/html_pubs/point/point.htm. Each branch should have three to four leaves remaining. Peaches need a lot of care, which starts with proper pruning after planting. Cut the plants back to about a foot above the soil, and let them begin growth. When it comes to caring for poinsettias, timing is everything. She's been a contributing writer for The Spruce since 2019. Ingesting the leaves and sap can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in many animals. Provide semi-cool, humid locations in bright . It is usually recommended to leave between one to three leaves on each stem after pruning. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-3.jpg\/aid11324070-v4-728px-Prune-a-Poinsettia-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"