Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima

The red bracts on the poinsettia plant attracts many growers. There are many euphorbia pulcherrima varieties, although the red bract type is the most popular.

Poinsettias have gained a lot of attention around the globe for being a Christmas decoration plant and for religious purposes.

The poinsettia which is native to Mexico has become a popular Christmas and holiday plant grown indoors, mainly for the attractive red flower heads and green foliage. The beginnings of this shrub becoming a Christmas plant is said to date back to the 16th century from a tale about a young girl that collected weeds and placed them in front of a church alter, which bloomed in to poinsettias.

This plant is so popular in the US that December 12th is national poinsettia day and they can be bought from many types of stores.

Leaves and flowers: The flower head is made up of the red bracts with small yellow flowers in the center of the head. The bracts look the same lobed leaf shape as the dark green leaves, but just different in color. It’s the bract rather than the flowers that make this an attractive ornamental plant. Although, the red bract variety is the most popular, a grower can also find pink, whites and pale cream colored varieties.

The flowers (bract) usually last for about 2-6 months after being purchased. When buying a plant check the small yellow flowers have not opened yet, so your have a longer flowering period. If they’re opened already your likely to get much less time with flowers.

After flowering: After the euphorbia pulcherrima has flowered and the leaves fall – that is the end of this wonderful looking shrubs life, unless you have the time and patience to get it re-flowering again for the following Christmas.

Re-flowering: Here is the basic steps for encouraging this plant to bloom again, which is not easy.

• April – May: Cut back all the stems (once the bract and leaves have started to fall) to approximately 4 inches in length, water less and allow the soil to become dry with the plant sitting in a cool shady spot (60F°/15°C – 65F°/18°C) . This should to be done in the month of April – May.
• May – Sept: During May re-pot and replace most of the old potting mix, then begin watering. Water thoroughly once the soil becomes dry and feed every 4 weeks until September. The pot can be slightly bigger if the roots are becoming bound to the old pot. During this period prune the new growth so you have only 4-5 strong stems and 1-3 leaves on each of them.
• Oct – Nov: At the end of September is when light control is very important. The poinsettia will now need to be covered for 14hrs a day (from about 6pm – 8am) with a black plastic box or bag. This will need to be done daily for 8 weeks. During the day place the plant on a brightly lit windowsill or near, and continue normal watering and feeding.
• December: Yippe…you can now stop artificial light reduction, should see buds appearing and it may have grew a bit taller. Begin normal care and attention from now and stop fertilizing until February.

Facts

Poinsettia Care

• More flowering plants grown indoors – can be found here »
• You may be interested in this selection of other suitable plants grown indoors for Christmas »

Elyssa Goins

Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four.  She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants.  For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you.