The ‘Flower’ that symbolizes Christmas for many of us, “The Christmas Eve Flower” is known as “Flor de Noche Buena” in Mexico & Central America (it’s native habitat) and are woody, tropical shrubs which can grow to be to ten feet (image courtesy: www.aces.edu).
By: John Green, Texas Certified Expert Gardener, Orange, TX
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Many of us (some begrudgingly) will be out and about the day after Thanksgiving, navigating crowded shopping malls and department stores all the while searching for a perfect gift (at a reasonable price). This is where I always question our ‘collective’ fiscal practice, asking myself and others- does the perfect gift really exist? Naturally, responses are rapid, I am bombarded with the same response as in years passed, from the same visiting family members, who emphatically state “yes, it does exist, now hurry up and get ready, it’s time to go, we don’t want to miss the bargains!”, and as always…I acquiesce!
Another year is rapidly nearing its end and Christmas is literally a month away which means most of us will have the ‘pleasure’ of enjoying time with extended family and friends. Many of us will be attending festive parties and banquets, shopping for gifts, and planning meals for family events. For this gardener, there is no other more beautiful holiday plant than Poinsettia (my preference is plants with the traditional red bracts).
Poinsettia History
The “Flower” that symbolizes Christmas for many of us, “The Christmas Eve Flower” is known as “Flor de Noche Buena” in Mexico & Central America (it’s native habitat) and are woody, tropical shrubs growing up to ten feet. The Aztec’s used the bracts (colorful, modified leaves) surrounding the minor yellow flower centers, as dye, and the plants milky latex (sap) as medicine, to reduce fever. Throughout the 17th century, Franciscan monks integrated poinsettias into their Christmas celebrations, which led to the enduring connection with the Christmas holiday. The star-shaped patterns of the leaves symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, while the red color represents Jesus’ blood sacrifice. The plants’ popularity within the United States is attributed to one man, Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. Minister to Mexico (a physician & botanist). The plants winter “flower” intrigued him so much so that in the 1830’s, he transported it with him to his home in South Carolina for cultivation.
For me, the enjoyment of the holiday season begins with purchasing plants (to be expected- as a devoted gardener), but more specifically, Poinsettias. They are magnificent plant specimens, bold and beautiful. Poinsettias make dramatic focal points, living holiday decorations that when strategically placed throughout the home, command attention. Spectacular colors in red, pink, white, lime green, and multiple variegated varieties are now available. The bracts of the poinsettia are what provide the intense color, which many believe to be the plants flowers but are in fact the leaves that remain colorful for weeks at a time and can reappear each year, if proper care is given to the poinsettia plant.
Poinsettia Care
During the Christmas Holiday keep your Poinsettia in a bright (indirect light) location inside and water the plant when the potting mix begins to feel dry to the touch, keeping them away from hot and cold drafts. Begin fertilizing after their color begins to fade and always protect from temperatures 55℉ or below.
Light Requirement
Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light, and lots of it- the recommendation is at least six hours daily; however, they will not thrive in direct sunlight since leaves are easily burned. Plants kept indoors should receive diffused light, close to a window with thin curtains. They also prefer cooler daytime temperatures, interior household temperature (65 to 75 F) is perfect with some air circulation (fans or air-conditioning). If the temperature is too high, the plants will slowly respond by becoming tall and spindly (leggy) in appearance. Avoid drafts near entry ways and do not place them near heat sources.
Soil Moisture
Poinsettias prefer soil marginally moist but not overly wet and saturated. Well-drained soil is imperative for them, or they will quickly suffer from root rot if water is allowed to stand at the plant’s roots. Soil which is dry to the touch (1” from surface) indicates watering is necessary or when bracts & leaves droop.
Did You Know- The festival foil warp surrounding the poinsettia pot does not allow for drainage and retains too much water which often causes the plant to suffer root rot. For proper drainage, remove the cover to allow the plant to drain thoroughly after watering.
After Christmas
January through the beginning of fall (September), place Poinsettias in a sunny location (indoors) keeping the soil barely moist. Trim plants to a height of 7 to 9- inches as leaves begin to fall in Spring and continue to water and fertilize. After new growth appears, repot the plant into fresh high quality potting soil, and relocate outside into a location that receives morning sun and fertilize weekly. Pinch a quarter of the tips of the Poinsettia back to encourage branching and bring plant indoors when night temperatures begin to fall below 55 ℉.
Keep the plant pruned throughout the summer to ensure the plant remains compact but do not prune after August 31st. Continue to keep the plant watered and provide indirect lighting all year. Poinsettia bracts’ color will return as the nighttime hours become longer. Place the plant where it can enjoy these longer nights (remembering that light exposure at this ‘sensitive’ time may inhibit color formation) and the plant’s natural tendency to put on colorful bracts and will remain green. My suggestion is to cover the plant beginning 01October through 15December, to restrict the amount of light the plant receives, thereby forcing the bracts to color. To do this, simply place the plant in a dark place or cover from 4 PM to 8 AM daily, making certain the plant receives NO light during the required dark periods! Only provide the plant 6 to 8 hours sunlight daily. Once the leaf bracts begin setting color, discontinue long nights (dark period) and no longer apply fertilizer.
Poinsettia Care (Quick Guide)
Preliminary Holiday Care
- Poinsettias require bright, indirect light while inside.
- Water when potting mix feels dry to the touch- 1” below soil surface.
- Keep away from doorways and drafts (heat vents).
- Begin fertilizing as soon as color begins to fade.
- Protect plant from temperatures below 55° F and direct sunlight.
Holiday Care through September
- Place the Poinsettia in a sunny indoor location, keep the soil slightly moist.
- Trim the plant from 7 to 9-inches tall once leaves have fallen fall in Spring and continue watering and fertilize.
- Once new growth appears, repot and place outdoors (morning sun only), and fertilize weekly.
- Pinch back tips by one quarter length to encourage branching.
- Move indoors when night temperatures drop below 55°F.
Forcing Brachts (October 1st through December 15th)
- Keep the plant in complete darkness from 4 PM to 8 AM without light exposure.
- Allow the plant to receive a maximum of 8 hours of sunlight daily.
- Once bracts begin to color, discontinue long nights and fertilizer.
- Poinsettia can now be placed in its holiday location.
There is no reason to toss your poinsettias after the Christmas holiday, they are easy to care for year-round. Until next week fellow gardeners, let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener, more sustainable world, one poinsettia at a time! All your gardening questions answered: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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