Learn how often to water system poinsettias , and what unwashed mistakes to avoid , to keep your plant look festal through the holiday .
Knowing how often to water Mexican flameleaf can be knavish . Highly sore to too much or too little water system , thesefestive tropic plantscan go quickly from lush and gorgeous to yellow and sickly - front due to watering mistakes . Not to concern : These 8 smart lacrimation tips willkeep your Christmas star looking gooduntil you ring in the new year .
1. Start with a healthy plant.
When grass for a Euphorbia pulcherrima , avoid a broken-down plant , even if it ’s the only one depart at the store . Poinsettias that have had a rough journey to the market place might have broken stems , wilted or curling leaves , and limited foliage at the base of the plant . Unlikesome other houseplant , these ship’s boat tropicals do n’t find quickly and will likely look less - than - festive for the duration of the holiday time of year .
rather , search out a poinsettia with dark green foliage and lush , brilliantly colorful bracts . The release - like structures in the center of the foliage clusters — which are actually the plant ’s heyday — should be barely open and not disgorge pollen . A respectable poinsettia easy keep its good looks for six weeks or more .
As with any houseplant , check poinsettias for pests before purchase them — the last thing you desire to do is play home an infested plant . Signs of a trouble admit hole in leaves , thin egg white webbing around foliage , or of course , seeable pests ( which , if present , are often found on the undersides of farewell ) .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
2. Check the soil moisture daily.
Yes , daily . Poinsettias are usually grown in a soilless commixture that mimic their aboriginal land and dries out quickly — specially inthe low - humidness indoor conditionsof most homes in winter . When the plant ’s soil is dry to the pinch , it ’s clip to H2O . Poinsettias thrive when their soil is allow to just hardly dry out out between waterings .
lobster plant are tropical plantsheralding from region with well - drain arenaceous territory and rainwater shower . Replicate these condition in your home , and your painted leaf will be happy .
3. Remove the cover before watering poinsettias.
Even though lobster plant need frequent pee , they contemn marshy soil . When poinsettias are watered in their decorative cover , the excess water supply syndicate in the bottom of the top , creating boggy soil . Before irrigate your plant , slip it out of the decorative charge card or paper cover .
4. Let your poinsettia soak.
An easy way to ensure poinsettias receive ample moisture at tearing time is to set the plant — removing the ornamental pot cover first — in a baking pan or shallow tray . Then , irrigate the plantwith way temperature pee until the supernumerary water guide out of the bottom of the pot . lead the wad in the tray for 15 - 30 minutes . It will absorb any ask water that collects in the bottom of the tray .
When lachrymation , be trusted to tip your watering pot close to the grime , forfend the leaves . Getting a Euphorbia pulcherrima ’s leaves wet can cause problems like leaf spot .
5. Don’t leave water in the cover.
After letting your Christmas flower soak , adjust your plant in a sump where any redundant water can drip out before returning the potbelly to the ornamental cover . Or if you need to just put it back in the cover , ascertain back a slight while later and dump out any unneeded pee to prevent the plant ’s soil from becoming waterlogged . The same applies if you apply a disc under your plant ’s pot instead of a cover .
6. Avoid nearby heat sources.
outlet , radiators — anything that is moving warm air — will cause the ground of nearby poinsettia to dry out out more quickly . If potential , place your poinsettia near a sunny window , away from passion sources . Poinsettias thrive when the line temperature is 60 ° F to 70 ° fluorine , and you wo n’t have to water it quite as much .
7. Watch for yellow leaves.
Overwatering causes leave on the bottom of the plant toturn yellow and omit off . In time , the lower half of the plant becomes a bunch of leafless stems . At the first sight of a yellow leafage , retard the land wet . Do not water the plant until the soil surface is dry to the touch . Also , check the ornamental stool comprehend to ensure extra piss has not collected in the bottom , causing soggy ground .
8. Don’t let your poinsettia wilt.
poinsettia are quick to let you make out when they desperately need water supply . Their leave will reckon curled and drooping . regrettably , when poinsettias arrive at this point , their growth is often so compromised that it is difficult to revert them to full health . While it ’s best to avoid let your works droop even a little scrap , if this does encounter , wateryour stressed poinsettiaas soon as you notice the job , follow the watering drill described above .
Frequently Asked Questions
While some people like to put ice cube on top of a plant ’s soil and let them irrigate the plant as they melt , it ’s not recommended for poinsettias . It ’s difficult to ensure you irrigate good with this method , and Euphorbia pulcherrima are particularly finicky about their water pauperism .
To ensure a poinsettia is thoroughly watered , it ’s best to do both . irrigate it from the top while it ’s pose in a shallow dish , then grant it to sit for a while so it can sop up some extra water from below .
A Christmas flower ’s leaves can signal a variety of stresses . They may look wilt if the plant is too near to a source of heat ( like a passion vent ) or to a chilly window . Also , ensure you ’re not overwatering , which can result in wilted - looking and sensationalistic leaves that drop .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
