Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Indoor Care Guide

Hi, welcome to Brainy Gardener! Today I'm going to talk to you about the proper way to take care of your poinsettia plant. A lot of people don't know how to properly care for them and as a result, their plants die prematurely. But with a little bit of care, your poinsettia can last well into January or even February. So stay tuned and I'll show you how it's done.
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Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Indoor Care Guide

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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - Light and Location
1:11 - Watering
1:27 - Temperature
1:45 - Humidity
1:56 - Fertilization
2:31 - Propagation
2:52 - Potting and Repotting
3:14 - Toxicity and Common Pests
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Summary
Poinsettia plants are iconic holiday plants native to Western Mexico. They were first introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, an American politician, and botanist who served as the first envoy to Mexico from the USA. Poinsett was so impressed by these beautiful flowering plants that he brought them to America and cultivated them himself. Traditionally, Poinsettias bloom with bright red flowers, bringing festive joy to the holidays. But there are hundreds of cultivars cultivated with different colored flowers over the years.

1. Light and Location
Light requirements of these plants vary between full sun, partial sun, and shade. The poinsettia prefers the morning sun; however, it can tolerate some afternoon exposure. It needs to be placed in an area with good air circulation, promoting leaf growth.

2. Watering
The best way to water is to let the soil dry out completely between watering. Water this plant regularly but make sure that the soil has good drainage properties. Don’t let the water sit in the soil for too long after it gets soaked, as that can easily lead to root rot.

3. Temperature
Poinsettias thrive in warm temperatures, between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower temperature than 50 degrees Fahrenheit is dangerous which can end up plants wilting away. Most importantly, protect them from chilly drafts or cold winds.

4. Humidity
They prefer high humidity between 50 to 75%, so you can mist them regularly or place them in a room with a humidifier. You can also put it over a moist bed of pebbles. The best time to start fertilizing these plants is in April.

5. Fertilization
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer twice a month and keep this going until the blooming season starts, and then repeat the cycle.

6. Propagation
The best way to propagate Poinsettias is to take stem cuttings from the plant. To do this, cut a stem from the plant about six inches long and remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone and then place it in a pot of soil. Keep the soil moist, and in about two weeks, you should see new roots emerging from the stem.

7. Potting and Repotting
The best time to repot is when it has outgrown its container and the roots have begun to spill over. Get a pot slightly larger than the original and use a new potting mix. It can be potted in a loam-based soil mix with some perlite since it has good drainage properties. Before potting, make sure to drill a hole in the bottom of the pot. The ideal season for repotting is early summer or late spring.

8. Toxicity and Common Pests
These plants contain a milky white irritant sap that can cause skin irritation if it contacts the skin of sensitive individuals. When ingested, these plants may lead to an upset stomach with vomiting and diarrhea. These are susceptible to several pests, including aphids, mealybugs, soft scales, and spider mites. Indoors, these are seldom a problem. But for the rare occasions when infestations occur, use insecticide or rubbing alcohol, depending on the severity.

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