Water it enough, and make sure it drains Your poinsettias need water when the soil feels dry if you push down slightly on the surface. Paula Weatherby Saturday Jan 6, 2018 at 3:00 AM. It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, the weather was unseasonably warm. 23 Types of Pretty Poinsettias 23 Photos. Yes. Saved by Gardening Know How. This will stop the poinsettia from turning into the beautiful colors you enjoy. The Poinsettia can adapt very well to sudden changes in temperature and thrive in four distinct and well-marked seasons. Poinsettia plants can be kept outdoors in a protected sunny area during summer, if desired. If so, the plant should be covered to protect it from frost and the soil should be mixed with wood to prevent the roots from freezing. Saved by Gardening Know How. If you want to treat poinsettia flowers as annuals, you can grow them outside for a bit of extra greenery. Some of them will help us to enjoy it, too, next Christmas. This range includes coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, large swaths of California, southern Texas, and some areas of the Gulf Coast, as well as parts of the southeast. Once nights become longer in fall, bring the poinsettia indoors. If you have a poinsettia that you want to keep healthy when the holidays are over, you will need to trim it back and regulate water, soil, and temperature conditions. It will grow green leaves if you provide this container plant with a normal photoperiod. Continue to water and fertilize your plants in the same manner. Time to sneak the heating up a few notches. If you want to treat poinsettia flowers as annuals, you can grow them outside for a bit of extra greenery. Ideally, our plant should be in a space between 60-71 F (16-22 C). On the other hand, if you live somewhere where winters are mild, you might think of poinsettias as an outdoor option – they are considered hardy in Zones 9-11. Late Spring into Summer Poinsettia Care. It’s that time of year when these colorful plants make it into our homes. This will lull the plant into its dormant phase. Starting in mid-September, poinsettias need at least 12 hours of darkness daily, Samarakoon said. Growing poinsettias in the garden. You can keep growing them like a houseplant if you like, but in the spring once the temperatures at night are regularly above 50°F, you can place your poinsettias outside if you want. Just be sure to set them in an area with no direct sunlight and at least part shade. Poinsettia plants outdoors must have a sunny corner to call home, somewhere protected from harsh winds that can damage them quickly. Place in a well lit location. Overwatering can kill a poinsettia or cause grey mold to form. Gardeners who can’t get enough poinsettia eye candy from their local florists and nurseries should consider seeking out a regional poinsettia show. Just be sure that cold temperatures in your area don’t drop below 45 degrees F. (7 C.). After these dates, it is normal to start throwing away the lower leaves while keeping the upper ones. If potting up poinsettias, use three parts John Innes No 3 to one part grit. If there are frequent frosts in your area or snow, the Poinsettia thrives if you protect the roots by mixing wood bark with the soil. Poinsettia plants outdoors tend to grow tall and leggy. Alternatively, use slow release pellets in spring. 2 Be realistic about the plant's appearance. 4. Poinsettia plants outdoors must have a sunny corner to call home, somewhere protected from harsh winds that can damage them quickly. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). Poinsettias can be tricky to maintain indoors even for a few weeks. Not surprisingly, the red leaves are actually bracts that protect the flowering of the plant. If you transfer the Poinsettia in the ground, outside after the cold of Christmas, it will grow.Does it require care? Here are some tips on poinsettia care that can help extend those blooms as long as possible — and maybe even encourage your poinsettia to bloom again next year. Once the temperature is consistently above about 50 degrees, you can move your poinsettias outside. On the other hand, indoor light levels can be too low for flowers and bright colors to develop, she said. Growing Poinsettias as Houseplants. How far back can I trim it, where there are no leaves? Choose a spot that gets bright, indirect light (somewhere that gets shade in the afternoon would be perfect). Yes, absolutely. You can move the plant outdoors but poinsettia frost damage is a real threat if your area’s temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C.). Far more worrisome are holiday bouquets containing lilies, holly or mistletoe. Caring for poinsettias Poinsettia plant care is relatively easy. Lightly water the plant each day A light daily water using a spouted jug is ideal for keeping poinsettia potting soil damp. 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