How To Make Your Poinsettias Last Longer

Poinsettia Care Basics:

1. Make sure to start with healthy plants.  Pick the best out of the bunch.  Look for full leaves and deep colors.
2. Keep your poinsettias in a warm spot {not too warm, though}.  If you set them next to the door, watch out for repeated cold drafts.  They are not huge fans of temperatures below 50 degrees {we have that in common}.  They are happy to be in a cooler spot {between 55-65 at night, so don’t worry if you drop your temperature at night}
3. Watering.  Allow your plants to drain {you may want to punch additional holes in the bottom of your container}.  Poinsettias are like tomatoes, they do not like wet feet.  Water thoroughly when pot looks dry.  {You’ll know if you are overwatering because the leaves will turn yellow and fall off}
4. Poinsettias do best in bright, indirect light.  {Seems like an oxymoron, I know, but keep them in a well-lit room, away from the window}
5. If you really want them to last {6-8 weeks or so}, you may want to consider fertilizing them after they bloom.  {Little tip:  the colored red, pink, etc. parts are actually the leaves.  The flower is typically compact and green.}

With a little care, you can get the most out of your poinsettias–maybe pacify you until the Valentine’s Day Chocolates roll around?  Ha.
*** Did you know the Aztecs used Poinsettia sap to cure fevers and the red leaves {called bracts} to create red dye?  Yep.  I would not lie about such a useful bit of information. They didn’t really become a popular Christmas decoration until the 19^th century when a U.S. Mexican Ambassador brought them back to the states.  They bloom in December, so they were an ideal choice for the holidays.

Need something a little different to read with the kiddos this Holiday Season?  Try The Legend of the Poinsettia

Source:  onehundreddollarsamonth.com