We tell you how to care for poinsettia in winter successfully! Your Christmas star will thank you!

Are you planning to buy a Christmas star this year? Or have you already purchased one? Whatever your situation, you must know the right things to do in order to care for your poinsettia successfully and enjoy remarkable blooms as the holiday season approaches. Location, watering, fertilizer, flowering during the next year, I give you all the information you need so that the star plant of the festive season blooms again in 2023! And believe it or not, it’s not difficult at all.

How to care for a potted poinsettia successfully? The golden rules for a happy plant

Poinsettia care tips aren’t complicated and are actually similar to those for other houseplants. Once you’ve mastered these steps, your poinsettia will offer you a pretty and luxuriant bloom and will even become a must-have Christmas table decoration. So don’t wait any longer and find out how to take care of the star plant of the holiday season.

Choosing the right location is essential for the good health of the plant.

Did you know that the Christmas star plant is native to Mexico where the weather is beautiful, warm and humid? To have a healthy plant, it is important to recreate the same environment as in its country of origin. There is no need to explain why placing a poinsettia outdoors is not a good idea during the winter period.

The first thing to know about this fiery red plant is that it hates variations in home temperatures, as well as drafts. Thus, the temperature in the room should be between 18° C and 20° C/65F to 68F.

As for the location, Poinsettia appreciates abundant, but not direct light. The ideal would be to place the pot near a window or bay window. Never put your poinsettia in full sun as you will see its flowers and leaves drying out. Also, avoid placing it on a fireplace, near a heat source and in a room where the air is dry. Every change in conditions can cause a shock to the plant. In short, this plant will grow best in a room where the above factors do not change.

How to water a poinsettia in a pot?

To successfully maintain and water a poinsettia in a pot, a few simple rules are essential. First, it is important to remember that watering is done only when the substrate is dry. Make sure to always empty the saucer of excess water to prevent the roots from bathing in water. Otherwise, they will rot and the plant will eventually die.

Attention: Be aware that if the air in your home is too dry (a common phenomenon in winter due to heating appliances), the poinsettia’s leaves may turn white and the leaves may begin to drop. To save your plant, do not hesitate to spray water on the leaves.

Poinsettia care in winter: Should you fertilize?

No, the maintenance of the poinsettia in winter does not require fertilizing. Never fertilize during flowering. Outside this period, fertilization can start again. Use liquid fertilizer for blooming plants and apply once a month. This will certainly extend the life of your Christmas star.

How to care for poinsettia after Christmas?

In most cases, people tend to get rid of their Poinsettias after Christmas. Why? Because the plant wilts and very often it looks like it is dead. A very bad idea! In fact, it is quite possible to make a poinsettia bloom again to give it a second life and enjoy its superb bloom the following year.

Finally, do not hesitate to take a look at the video below and learn how to care of Poinsettias and make them bloom next year.

Also read: Poinsettia Losing Leaves: How to Treat It? What Are the Causes?