How to Get a Poinsettia to Bloom YearRound

How to Get a Poinsettia to Bloom?

To get a poinsettia to bloom, it is important to provide it with the right conditions.

Keep the plant in a tropical environment with temperatures between 65-70 degrees F during the day and no lower than 55 F at night.

Place the poinsettia in a window that receives natural, bright light, preferably an Eastern or Southern-facing window.

Water the plant when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch, making sure the roots do not sit in water.

To encourage reblooming, reduce watering and let the plant dry out in early April.

In May, cut the stems down to around 5 inches in height and repot into a larger container with fresh potting soil.

Start fertilizing at half-strength weekly.

Move the poinsettia outside in June to a location with partial afternoon shade.

Pinch off about an inch of growth to encourage side branching.

Beginning on Oct.

1st, the poinsettia needs 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for 8-10 weeks to encourage reblooming.

By the end of November, the poinsettia should have beautiful, lush, and bright red bracts.

Key Points:

  • Provide a tropical environment with temperatures between 65-70 degrees F during the day and no lower than 55 F at night.
  • Place the poinsettia in a window that receives natural, bright light, preferably an Eastern or Southern-facing window.
  • Water the plant when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch, making sure the roots do not sit in water.
  • Reduce watering and let the plant dry out in early April to encourage reblooming.
  • Cut the stems down to around 5 inches in height and repot into a larger container with fresh potting soil in May.
  • Move the poinsettia outside in June to a location with partial afternoon shade and begin fertilizing at half-strength weekly.


Did You Know?

1. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to humans. They have been mistakenly accused of being toxic, but while the milky sap can irritate the skin, they are safe to have around pets and children.

2. Poinsettias are not actually flowers, but rather colored leaves called bracts. The vibrant red, pink, or white petal-like structures are leaves that change color in response to the changing light conditions.

3. To get a poinsettia to bloom again, it requires an extended period of darkness. Unlike other plants, poinsettias need 12 hours of complete darkness each night for about eight weeks. This mimics the natural daylight conditions, allowing them to rebloom.

4. The poinsettia was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico in the 19th century. He discovered the plant there and brought it back to the United States, where it gained popularity and became associated with Christmas.

5. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are known as “Flores de Noche Buena” or “Flowers of the Holy Night” in Spanish. They are traditionally used to celebrate the Christmas season and are considered a symbol of purity, celebration, and rebirth in Mexican culture.

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Keeping Poinsettias In The Right Environment

Poinsettias, native to Central America, need a tropical environment to thrive. For optimum health and beautiful blooms, it is crucial to maintain the correct temperature and humidity levels.

  • The ideal temperature range for poinsettias during the day is between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • At night, make sure the temperature does not dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Avoid exposing poinsettias to cold drafts by keeping them away from windows and doors.

Apart from temperature, proper humidity levels are also essential for poinsettias’ well-being. If the air lacks sufficient humidity, the leaves may wilt and drop. To address this issue:

  1. Water the plant with room-temperature water until the soil becomes moist.
  2. This will create a more humid environment, allowing the poinsettia to flourish.

“A well-maintained temperature and humidity environment is critical for the health and vitality of poinsettias.”

Providing Proper Light And Water For Poinsettias

Poinsettias prefer natural, bright light. Placing them in an Eastern or Southern-facing window will provide them with the right amount of sunlight they need. However, be cautious of too much direct light, as this can cause wilting or dropped leaves.

  • Poinsettias thrive in natural, bright light.
  • Eastern or Southern-facing windows are ideal for poinsettias.

If you notice your poinsettia is not getting enough humidity, you can remedy this by watering the plant when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.

  • Water the plant when the top layer of soil is dry.

When watering, it is important to ensure that the roots of the poinsettia do not sit in water. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other moisture-related issues. To avoid this, make sure the excess water is drained out of the pot.

Reblooming Poinsettias For The Holidays

If you want your poinsettia to bloom again for the holiday season, you can follow these simple steps:

  • In early April, reduce the watering and let the plant dry out.
  • Find a cool location, preferably around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, to store your poinsettia.

  • In May, cut the stems down to around 5 inches in height and repot the plant into a larger container with fresh potting soil.

  • Start fertilizing at half-strength weekly to provide the plant with essential nutrients.

  • By June, move the poinsettia outside to a location with partial afternoon shade.

  • Pinching off about an inch of growth will encourage side branching, resulting in a fuller and more vibrant plant.

  • To prepare for reblooming, the poinsettia needs 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness starting on October 1st.

  • This is crucial for stimulating the formation of new bracts.

  • By the end of November, your poinsettia should have beautiful, lush, and bright red “new” bracts, ready to brighten up your holiday season.

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Care And Maintenance For Poinsettias Throughout The Year

Proper care for poinsettias starts as soon as you bring them home. Unwrap them from their protective sleeve to allow them to breathe. Poinsettias require at least six hours of indirect sunlight daily, so place them in a sunny location away from cold windows.

Maintain a daytime temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a nighttime temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal blooming time. Additionally, avoid exposing poinsettias to drafts, radiators, air vents, fans, and open windows or doors as they can damage the plant.

Water poinsettias only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off, while under-watering can cause wilting and leaf loss. Remember not to leave the poinsettia standing in water, as this can result in root rot.

To keep your poinsettia healthy and vibrant, fertilize it once or twice a month with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. This will provide the plant with the necessary nutrients to thrive throughout the year.

Re-Flowering Poinsettias: Tips And Techniques

To re-flower poinsettias, follow these specific steps:

  • In late winter and early spring (January to April), water the poinsettia whenever the soil surface is dry. Fertilize every two weeks with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Cut back old flowering stems to a height of 4-6 inches, leaving one to three leaves on each stem. Place the plant in a sunny window with a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • During late spring and summer (May), cut back the stems to 4-6 inches above the soil and repot in a slightly larger container with fresh potting soil. Water the plant well and place it in a bright window. Continue regular watering when the soil feels dry and fertilize every two weeks with a complete fertilizer.

  • In June, move the plant outdoors to a slightly shaded spot. Pinch back each stem and expose the plant to full sun. By August 15th, the stems should have branched out and leafed out. Pinch or cut the new stems, leaving 3-4 leaves on each shoot.

  • To re-flower the poinsettia, keep the plant in complete darkness between 5 pm and 8 am daily from the end of September until color shows in the bracts. Maintain a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the re-blooming phase. Night temperatures above 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit may delay or prevent flowering.

Debunking Myths: Poinsettias And Toxicity

Despite popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic to people or pets. The American Medical Association’s Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, along with various other studies, confirm that poinsettias pose no significant threat. The plant has been given a clean bill of health by the Society of American Florists and the American Veterinary Medicine Association.

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In 1975, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission even denied a petition to require warning labels for poinsettia plants. It is important to note that while ingestion of poinsettias may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation in pets, it is nothing severe or fatal.

So, you can enjoy your poinsettias worry-free, knowing that they are safe and beautiful additions to your holiday decor.

With the proper care and attention, poinsettias can be enjoyed year-round. From providing the right environment to ensuring they receive proper light, water, and nutrition, these plants will reward you with vibrant blooms and lasting beauty. With knowledge about reblooming techniques and debunking common myths, you can confidently care for your poinsettias and enjoy their beauty throughout every season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a poinsettia to bloom?

Poinsettias, being classified as “short day” plants, are triggered to bloom when they are exposed to days with less than 12 hours of daylight. The reduction in daylight hours acts as a signal for the plant to undergo a physiological change and initiate its flowering process. When the plant perceives the shorter days, it begins to redirect its energy towards flower production, resulting in the vibrant and striking blooms that poinsettias are known for.

How do I get my poinsettia to flower again?

To encourage your poinsettia to flower again, create the ideal environment for it to rejuvenate. Provide your poinsettia with 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for the next 8-10 weeks. During the day, bask it in sunlight and during the night, transfer it to a dark closet or cover it with a box. This intentional light-dark cycle will stimulate the plant’s natural flowering process and pave the way for a rejuvenated bloom.

How do you get poinsettias to turn red again?

To get poinsettias to turn red again, a critical step is to provide them with complete darkness for 14 hours each day, beginning around eight weeks prior to when you would like them to be red again. This extended period of darkness allows the plants to initiate the process of color change, restoring their vibrant red hues. By following this simple rule and ensuring the plants are not exposed to any light during the required period, you can successfully bring back the striking red color of your poinsettias.

Why is my poinsettia not flowering?

The poinsettia may not be flowering due to insufficient darkness. It is crucial for the plant to be in complete darkness during its designated dark period as any stray light can disrupt the flower initiation process. Even minimal exposure to outdoor light can cause the bracts to be deformed or cause the flower buds to drop off. To ensure the poinsettia flowers successfully, consider covering the plant with a black sheet to eliminate any potential interference from stray light.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4

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