Selecting and Caring for a Poinsettia

The poinsettia is indigenous to Mexico, where it grows up to 16 feet tall and creates crimson mountain sides during December. The first missionaries in Mexico delighted in the plants and included them in their Advent-season ceremonies. They've been associated with the holidays ever since. Poinsettias were later introduced to America by botanist Joel Poinsett, who was the first US Ambassador to Mexico.

When shopping for a poinsettia, look for:

• Plentiful dense, dark green foliage
• Tightly clustered buds to last throughout the holiday season
• Fully colored small leaves surrounding the yellow buds; if they're still partially green, the plant will quickly lose its color
• A healthy, robust plant; yellow buds in the center of the flower shouldn't drop off or shed pollen (look for tiny yellow grains); avoid plants with yellow, greenish-white or sagging leaves and faded, torn or discolored bracts (leaves beneath the flower)
• As with any plant, make sure the poinsettia is free from insects and diseases

Poinsettia care is easy throughout the holidays. Just follow these simple rules:

• Light: Place your poinsettias in an area where they'll receive a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day.
• Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. The lower night temperatures help the poinsettias keep their brilliant color. Protect the plants from both cold and hot drafts from outside doors, heat registers or appliances. Never expose them to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Water: Poinsettias like moist, but not wet, soil. To know how often to water poinsettias, watch for dry soil. Add room temperature water to the plant, allowing the water to drain through the pot. Then discard any excess water in the saucer. If the plant's container was wrapped with decorative foil, be sure to remove the foil from the bottom of the container to allow water to drain through.

Overwatering poinsettias and letting them sit in excess water — or underwatering them — are common mistakes that'll wilt or kill the plant. If the container feels heavy and the soil is wet, allow the poinsettia to dry out before watering it again.

Follow these tips after the hustle and bustle of the holidays or when the plant starts to look a little tired, whichever comes first:

• Water less frequently after the blooms and leaves drop or shrivel. The plant needs this rest period after its blooming season. Once a week should suffice.
• Cut back the stems to half their size in March or April. When new growth begins to appear, it's safe to resume a more normal watering and feeding schedule. Use regular houseplant food, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Move the plant outdoors when outside nighttime temperatures rise above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Provide light but avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
• Plant the poinsettia in the ground or leave it in the pot if you wish. Repotting may be necessary at the end of summer after the plant has grown. If the poinsettia is planted in the ground, you can expect a shrub-like plant during the summer.
• Pinch back new growth in June, July or August to promote a bushier plant.
  

It's somewhat tricky to get your poinsettia to bloom again. When fall temperatures begin to drop, bring the plant indoors. From October 1 to December 1 (or for at least 40 days), a poinsettia will need a strict light/dark regimen to produce color. You'll need to provide 13 to 16 hours of complete and uninterrupted darkness daily. At dusk, place it in a dark room such as a closet or cover it with a box or paper bag. At dawn, move or uncover the plant to allow eight hours of sunlight.

It's a pretty meticulous process but if you're lucky, you'll have a healthy, colorful plant for the holidays.