Post Christmas – Post Holiday Care for Your Poinsettia
Fading poinsettias are often a lingering and not-so-pretty memory of the holidays. It’s ok to give them a second life in the compost pile and eventually your garden as a soil amendment. But if you want to keep them growing and looking good - it’s easier than you think.
Remove the poinsettia from its foil wrapper, if you haven’t done so. Set it on a saucer or tray filled with pebbles.
Move your poinsettia to a bright location free of hot and cold drafts. Water thoroughly and whenever the top few inches of soil are slightly moist. Allow the excess water to collect in the pebbles below the pot. As it evaporates it increases the humidity around your plant.
Fertilize your poinsettia with a dilute solution of flowering houseplant food.
Pinch out the growing tip to encourage branching and fuller growth. Then mark October 1st on your calendar if you want to try to rebloom it for next Christmas.
A bit more information: Get your poinsettia to bloom for next Christmas by changing its environment. Starting October 1st give your poinsettia 14 hours of total darkness each night. Cooler night temperatures and slightly drier soil will increase your chance of success. For more details, listen here.
Related
Audio
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
March 20, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Maximize the Beauty and Enjoyment
in Any Small Space
Register now
March 23, 2024
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 27, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Start a Garden for Beginners
Register now
April 3, 2024
Garden Trends
Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI
April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now
April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More