Even a mild frost will kill the plant completely. Poinsettia poster�� The poinsettia can be pitched nicely together with Christmas decorations in various festive styles, from classic red and white to trendy candy colours. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in … If you've ever seen a leggy poinsettia in bloom, with only a couple of sad looking leaves hanging on, it was probably exposed to temperatures that were too cool or to extreme shifts in temperature. Poinsettia Plant Care How To Water. Poinsettia: December Houseplant of the Month . Poinsettia (the scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima, but it���s also known as the Christmas star) originates from Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a herbaceous shrub that can reach a height of 4 metres. Looks gruesome but we'd estimate this is the fate of at least 90% of Poinsettia's each year. Fertilize poinsettias every two to three weeks with a solution of houseplant fertilizer mixed to half-strength. The poinsettia (/ p ɔɪ n ˈ s ɛ t i ə / or / p ɔɪ n ˈ s ɛ t ə /) (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).Indigenous to Central America, it was described as a new species in 1834. Native to Mexico, poinsettias are in the Euphorbia family and are a popular holiday plant because of their colorful bracts (leaves). What a houseplant though, as they do brighten up Winter homes and complement the festive holiday colorings perfectly. Poinsettias are cheery plants that are widely grown indoors over Christmas for their brightly coloured bracts. Also known as the Christmas Star or the Mexican Flame Tree, the poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) is a popular festive houseplant. Bracts are the leaves of poinsettia that change color depending on light exposure. Credit for the white Poinsettia photo - Gallery - Max Wahrhaftig Check the soil daily and apply water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Creams, light orange and pinks are becoming more common so you may have a lot to choose from. The classic red poinsettia is familiar, but trending for December 2019 are modern pastel colours such as salmon, pink, lemon and apricot. The poinsettia is a branching shrub with milky sap and woody stems ending in colorful red, white, pink, or yellow bracts. Some plant food once a fortnight is appreciated. The final reason is a little more complicated, but possibly more important and definitely more entertaining. Your poinsettia plant should have a rounded shape, with dense and compact growth. But, how did the Poinsettia become USA’s no. Decorating with poinsettias always sets a festive mood, and they're relatively low-maintenance houseplants (if you can remember to water your Christmas tree, you can keep a poinsettia alive). One of the top ways to kill a Poinsettia is by over doing the watering. If the bracts or leaves are damaged or imperfect, it is possible that this occurred during transportation or storage, especially at low temperatures. This is another one of those houseplants like the Chrysanthemum which do not have their natural appearance when grown for indoor use. Secondly, Poinsettias only flower if given certain light conditions and these are arguably more straight forward to provide as the year draws to a close. What is a Poinsettia? Also Read: Best Flowering Houseplants. And let’s dispel some of the bad PR this bringer of holiday tidings has had in the past: (1) poinsettias are easy to care for … Over the last 20 years Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. Our website is here to help you succeed with houseplants and get your indoor plants thriving. Twitter:��@thejoyofplants. Legend goes that Poinsettia started to be associated with Christmas when a small girl grabbed some blooms from the roadside to honour the baby Jesus in a festive procession. Poinsettia is very sensitive to cold, so wrap it carefully after purchase for the trip home. They must all be free of pests and diseases; particularly check for whitefly on the underside of the leaves. If the temperature and light conditions described on this page are met then you will probably need to water your plant no more than once every 7 days or so. It's possible to find Poinsettias which are up to 2.1m / 7ft tall and of equal width. In order for the poinsettia bracts to turn color again, the plant must be kept in complete darkness for 12-15 hours from the end of September until color shows in the bracts in early to mid-December. The Poinsettia as a houseplant is a typical seasonal product for November and December. This is likely caused by frost damage. If you want to keep your Poinsettia after flowering has finished, cut back the stems to about 10cm / 4 inches in Spring and plant in a new container using a fresh potting mix. Overall Height APPROXIMATELY 24cm The Poinsettias imported from Holland has a darker tone and the leave's colors are more vibrant. They’re often thought to be the flowers, but are actually bracts that form a star shape around the true flowers, which are … Continue reading "Poinsettia: Houseplant … Facebook:��@thejoyofplants They looked great, so of course some of the TV studios used them to decorate their sets. Have a look at the gallery pictures if you want to see a close up view of the actual flowers. Poinsettias, the favorite holiday houseplant, have been bred into a wide selection of cultivars, with over 100 different varieties to choose from. The main issue tends to be the sap contained within the leaves and stems that can cause a mild irritation or a skin rash. There are three main reasons for the Christmas association, the first of which is nice and simple to explain - the red and green of the plant are perfect traditional Christmas colours so complement the festive colour schemes at this time of year. The plant blooms outdoors from November to February, and the bush is bare in summer. The story of Poinsettia�� On top of their horticultural skills, the Ecke family were astute sales people and advertisers. Or at least that's true for the majority of people who purchase this easy care and beautiful seasonal houseplant. One of the top ways to kill a Poinsettia is by overwatering it. If you keep your poinsettia on as a houseplant after the holidays and decide to do any pruning, be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from its potentially irritating sap. The majority of Poinsettias are thrown away once the leaf bracts fall, so they're treated as a pot plant, or a temporary guest in the home. Apply fertilizer every two weeks or once monthly using a complete houseplant fertilizer. Poinsettia plants tend to use the most water in the first week or two of being moved to a new location, so watch them a little more carefully at first. If you've timed it right you should have a cheerful looking Poinsettia for Christmas. For more information about the 2019 Houseplants of the Month selection,��click here. The Poinsettia plant is a commercially important plant.The plant is native to Mexico and there are over 100 cultivated varieties. A unique houseplant. For even more Houseplant articles you may like our, Wait until the colorful leaves start to fall, then. The problem is normally caused by exposure to draughts (it doesn't matter if it was hot or cold air) alternatively it may have been given too much water. Instagram:��@thejoyofplants�� The pot size and number of bracts must be in proportion, and the plant must be ripe enough to show good colour. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) 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 … If you've done it correctly (and your plant is playing nicely) you should start to see these bracts forming towards the end of the two months. This encouraged the idea to anyone watching the show that the Poinsettia was a Winter Christmas flowering houseplant and subsequently created a huge demand for it. Water well as soon as you place your poinsettia in its new home to help the soil settle in around the plant. The … Your plant will accept low temperatures although even exposure to a mild frost will kill it. Generally, because this is often a Winter houseplant the Poinsettia isn't actually growing in your home. 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. Feeding If you only intend to keep it over the Winter there is no need to feed at all. Here’s a fun fact about this week’s featured houseplant: Although they are only sold about 6 weeks each year, poinsettias are the most popular potted plant in the United States, with about 80 million sold annually. The Ecke family were so good at what they did, that realistically you'll only be able to buy this plant within a small window lasting 8 weeks, from November to the end of December. With their vibrant red leaves, Poinsettia are the classic houseplant at Christmas. Fertilizing poinsettia plants is never recommended while they’re still in bloom. Vivid reds and strongly contrasting dark green leaves are the most popular leaf colours you'll come across. Regular misting is really helpful and can keep the flowering display around for longer. They're especially fun to pair with other holiday-themed indoor plants like red succulents and Christmas cacti , or arrange with greens, … Darker areas are okay temporarily but no longer than a few days. They found ways to graft the Poinsettia (a well kept secret until around 25 years ago) to keep it compact and exploited its light requirements to make it bloom out of season. Really people, the poinsettia is a beautiful houseplant, whether it ever “blooms” again … The Aztecs considered the plant to be holy; they called it Cuitla-xochitl.��. But there are plenty of things you can do to keep it looking healthy for the duration of the holiday season. Well no, actually it's quite straight forward as you can take stem cuttings relatively easily. The Ecke family were so good at what they did, that realistically you'll only be able to buy this plant within a small window lasting 8 weeks, from November to the end of December. If you're only planning to keep your Poinsettia over Christmas or until early the following year, feeding can be skipped completely. Fertilize poinsettias only if keeping them after the holiday season. Since poinsettia plants are from the tropics, they prefer surroundings that … Poinsettias will provide a colorful display … It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used … The main colours are red and white, while new colours such as lilac, salmon, cream and bicoloured poinsettias are making rapid progress. Poyn-seh-tee-uh. Credit for the Poinsettia photo with various colours - Article / Gallery - Max Wahrhaftig The lightening requirements detailed are compulsory, literally no mistakes can be made otherwise your attempt will fail. The emphasis this year is on the pink, green and apricot shades. If this plant is a keeper for your collection, feed once or twice in Spring and again in Summer. It will look pretty dull at this point so it might be worth finding a sheltered spot outdoors to free up room inside for more attractive houseplants. Poinsettia likes a light spot without bright sunshine. If this can't be provided a spot with good light is needed instead. He is the main content writer for the Ourhouseplants Team. Poinsettia is a ���short day��� plant on which the star-shaped bracts take on colour when the days get shorter, which coincides nicely with the Christmas period in the northern hemisphere. If your poinsettia���s leaves turn yellow and drop off, you should place the plant in a cooler and lighter spot and increase the humidity. Appreciated for its showy flowers and thick, grayish-green leaves, it is a popular choice for indoor gardening. Credit for the close up of the Poinsettia flowers - Article / Gallery - Frank Vincentz Fertilizing Poinsettia Plants. If you want new plants, buying more is the best way to go about it. While Poinsettia's do have flowers, the real beauty in this plant are the leaves. If you've ever been able to reflower your Poinsettia shout out about it in the comments section below, we know people would love to read and learn from your experiences! When planning on decorating your home, Poinsettia are a great way to add a splash of colour. The problem is that if the cuttings "take" you will end up with a lanky looking houseplant with none of the original compact appeal. They also developed new strains to keep the plant flowering for a lot longer than was natural. In 1825(ish) the large outdoor shrub Euphorbia pulcherrima was introduced and brought to America from Mexico by Joel Roberts Poinsett. However you might not know what plants are best for the job?This guide's going to sort this out for you by listing the top 50 houseplants for air cleaning according to NASA and Dr Bill Wolverton.When NASA released their research that houseplants c… A Winter Rose may still be colorful in March or April while usual poinsettias have faded and lost leaves. But it's actually possible to keep them from one year to the next and here's how to do it. Also keep in mind that many other houseplants come with the same risks for allergic response. So let us help you to grow your knowledge and become a houseplant expert. Poinsettia, the popular Christmas flower, has its origin in Mexico and is therefore also known as Mexican flame leaf. 28. Poinsettia. Realistically you'll only be able to buy this plant within a small window lasting 8 weeks. If you keep the plant all year around, you will need to provide slightly more water during the Summer. Poinsettia Care: How to keep a Poinsettia as Houseplants poinsettia care poinsettia plant care indoors Poinsettia as Houseplants: How to keep your Poinsettia… Poinsettias are of course the essential Christmas Plant, and they have become as much a part of the traditional Christmas as the turkey and the tree! Indigenous to Mexico, in the wild the Christmas Stars can reach a height of 16 ft. During December the plant can turn entire mountainsides crimson in color. Allow to dry one-half of the soil depth and then water thoroughly. Poinsettia assortment�� Learn How to grow Poinsettia plant, poinsettia care, Growing Poinsettia and more about plants in this article. You've probably heard at some point that house plants are good for your health because they can clean, filter and purify the air of various toxins and pollutants. The weak Winter sunshine is acceptable and enjoyed by most houseplants including the Poinsettia. The bracts are increasingly being decorated with glitter, dyes or other decorative treatments. It is important that the plant is free of pests and diseases. The trend for December 2019 is a cheerful Christmas in pastel colours. The actual flowers are tiny, appearing at the top of the leaf bracts, but they're quite ordinary and on the whole unremarkable. For the rest of the year its like Poinsettia plants don't exist. Its attractive looks have been crafted through grafting and chemicals to give its dwarf size. It can sometimes cause problems if eaten by cats, dogs or people. In the second half of the 20th century they sent hundreds and hundreds of free plants to TV studios in the run up to the Christmas festive season. Damaged bracts or foliage are usually caused during shipping or storage, particularly if temperatures are too low. Display the modern colours in matching festive pots; during this busy month it���s important to help the customer save time as much as possible. Average consistent warmth is best when in flower, no higher than 22°C (71°F) and make sure you keep it well away from hot fires and heaters. From the beginner to the more experienced, there's something for everyone. The stems start to become leggy and tall, just like their ancestors were, and some pruning is needed to keep them looking compact and full. Even less in low light or cooler temperatures. How do you pronounce Poinsettia correctly? You can download and use the images below free of charge if you credit��Thejoyofplants.co.uk. Yellow leaves indicate too little moisture, whilst the loss of berries or buds is a sign of too little light. Wrap the roots in sphagnum in order to prevent them from drying out or hanging in the tree in small buckets. If the word “poinsettia” conjures up one color and one color only – red – you are in for a treat: a whirlwind tour of 35 different poinsettia cultivars, in many different beguiling hues. The Poinsettia has a bad reputation of being very poisonous, but actually it's only mildly toxic. A poinsettia’s true nature becomes apparent as we grow them as houseplants after the holiday season and the dwarfing chemicals used in greenhouses wear off. It's quite a task to get your Poinsettia to reflower successfully see "anything else". From this point, the plant took the common name of Poinsettia from Joel's surname. To keep your poinsettia as a growing houseplant, look after them well and they’ll last until the spring. Poinsettia Plant. Fortunately if you want one during this tight window you won't have to search hard as they're literally sold everywhere in many countries. The poinsettia’s cheerful colours are just what you need in the dark days before Christmas and the arrival of 2020. Avoid trying to grow it in draughty areas. A lovely Euphorbia 'Ice Cream' - Poinsettia - a new form of the traditional Red Poinsettia plant. A new type of long lasting poinsettia, the Winter Rose variety looks like a beautiful rose in bloom. The care for a Winter Rose is the same as that for other poinsettias. • Health. Your poinsettia will become a conversation starter as most people will do a double-take when they see it. It doesn't need as much water as you think and in Winter the majority of houseplants need very little anyway. Warm Temperatures Aim for temperatures 18°C (64°F) and above. The range is constantly expanding, and poinsettia is offered from mini and standard through to hanging plant and bush shape. Of course it does need some to survive, so wait until the top of the soil dries out before thoroughly watering again. All of this work now meant that if people wanted to, they could move what was a normally large shrub grown outdoors, and treat it as a compact indoor houseplant for several months instead. Better yet, the lovely colorful “bracts” last much longer. “Is that a poinsettia?” Why yes it is. Sales and display tips�� See more pictures of house plants. The story of Poinsettia What you first notice about the poinsettia are the beautifully coloured leaves. The appealing bracts mean that the plant offers unlimited opportunities to create atmosphere in the run-up to Christmas. Poinsettia (botanical name: Euphorbia pulcherrima) has certified itself as the UK’s number one houseplant over the Christmas season.. Fast forward 75 years to 1900 and enter the Ecke family who took quite an interest in this plant. They are often disposed of once they start to fade, but with a little care, you can keep them all year and the bracts will colour up again the following year. These 'Princettia' however are a new modern breed that differ from the usual red … The plant cannot cope with draughts or very warm locations, such as above the radiator or next to a crackling log fire. Theatrical characterWhen you first notice about the poinsettia are the beautifully coloured leaves. This lovely poinsettia relative is quite tolerant of neglect and thrives well as long as you place it in a bright spot and keep it in drier side. If you plan to keep it alive for longer you should feed a few times during Spring and Summer with a general fertiliser. But why would anyone want to keep them indoors in the first place? In fact it's alleged that Paul Ecke III will actually eat Poinsettia leaves whenever he is interviewed on TV to prove the point. Just look at those red petioles and oak leaf shaped leaves. What to look for when buying Poinsettia��. And, with good care, a poinsettia plant can maintain its beauty for much longer than the Christmas season. Medium or Bright Light Pretty much anything will do except very low light and intense direct sunlight. Low Watering Once a week at most in Winter. What you first notice about the poinsettia are the beautifully coloured leaves. Credit for the Poinsettia on a wooden barrel - Gallery - Naotake Murayama. • Damage. There is a choice of single-headed plants, minis, topped or branched plants, standards of various heights and hanging plants. If it has grown since the last check, trim the stems back down to 6 inches (15 cm) or to your desired size, leaving 3 or 4 new leaves on the stems. Choose a location for your poinsettia where it will not come into contact with drafts or blasts of heated air (from your home’s climate control … Keep away from direct Sunlight at all other times of the year because the sun can easily scorch the leaves. You'll need to keep it away from draughty areas and only water your plant once the surface is dry to touch. The leaf bracts will usually last anything from a couple of months up to 5 months before they fall, meaning you could have amazing colour all Winter. If not, see My Poinsettia is not re flowering. This is incredibly difficult. Poinsettias are notoriously hard to care for as a houseplant. You can download the poster using the link below: Poinsettia: December Houseplant of the Month 2019, Copyright Bloemenbureau Holland 2014 - 2020. The temperature should remain between 60°- 70° F (15.6°- 21.1°C). They���re often thought to be the flowers, but are actually bracts that form a star shape around the true flowers, which are small and yellow in the heart. The poinsettia is a beautiful blooming house plant, which is particularly popular during the holiday season, where it is a wonderful addition to festive home decoration. That should perk it back up. But if you search a bit harder you can find other named varieties of Poinsettia such as "Premium Apricot", "Cinnamon Star" and "Ice Punch". Poinsettia plants are Christmas. 5°C / 41°F is around the lowest safe temperature, if you go colder the risk of black stems and leaves increases. Although if you have it around at other times of the year it will of course grow and this can be reasonably fast if cared for correctly. Even small slithers of light from a street lamp or from under a door frame can all ruin your efforts and you'll need to start the entire process again. Pinch small shoots off in order to encourage … The Poinsettia is not a naturally flowering Christmas houseplant, but even today almost everyone thinks it is. Poinsettia plants grow best during the winter months, which is why they are the most popular potted plant during the holidays. Water thoroughly when you do water but do not allow your Poinsettia to remain in … The Poinsettia is not a naturally flowering Christmas houseplant, but even today almost everyone thinks it is. As a Team, we've almost 50 years of hands on experience as well as a variety of horticulture skills. How long can you keep a Poinsettia alive? It was soon used more widely and later known as La Flor de La Nochebuena or Flower of the Holy Night. There is … However almost all commercially sold Poinsettias are dwarfed and compact so it's much more likely you'll be familiar with plants that are either super small, perhaps no more than 20 centimeters or 8 inches in height up to 60 centimeters or 24 inches. It���s an instant mood maker for the holidays and thereafter, because this winter bloomer provides a colourful start to 2020.��, Origin�� One original idea is to display the plants in a Christmas tree shape or to decorate a Christmas tree with minis as a spectacle display. Say: Lack of humidity during dry seasons, in particular, winter , is an ongoing houseplant problem. They’re often thought to be the flowers, but are actually bracts that form a star shape around the true flowers, which are small and yellow in the heart. Very dry areas should be avoided unless you can mist daily. Alternatively decorate a large poinsettia with fairy lights as an alternative Christmas tree. 1 houseplant? How to choose and care your Poinsettia Plant. Check on your poinsettia once a month. When repotting your poinsettia, use a potting soil that is especially formulated for houseplants and provide an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer as the time of the repotting. However the symptoms from ingesting this plant are usually only minor. The leaf bracts which support the flowers however are the desired feature - very vivid in colour, ranging from the traditional reds and whites, plain or spotted and marbled to some new types which are pink or almost orange.