There Christmas staralso known as poinsettia or with the botanical name of Euphorbia pulcherrimais an ornamental plant native to Mexico, where, in its natural habitat, it can reach a height of 4 meters. It was imported first to North America and later to Europe as ornamental plant characteristic of the Christmas perioddue to the moment of its flowering.
Contrary to what is commonly believed, its flower does not consist of a red corolla, but is yellow in color and surrounded by leaves that change their shade from green to red, mistakenly considered as petals. They are predominantly red in color but, depending on the variety of the plant, they can take on shades ranging from white, to pink, to dark red and bright red.
The flowering of the poinsettia takes place during the first weeks of winter and, due to the type of the plant itself, it is favored by the presence of a greater number of hours of darkness in the day. Precisely for this reason, to encourage better flowering, the poinsettia should be placed away from artificial light sources present in your home. It can easily enjoy natural light, but not for more than eight hours a day in the winter months.
Unfortunately, the delicate houseplant often drops its leaves before Christmas. This is mainly due to improper care. Our tips ensure that your poinsettia blooms for a long time and does not have to be thrown away after Christmas.
How to choose a Christmas star
Choosing a poinsettia requires a little care to make sure the plant is healthy and can last a long time, not just through the holiday season but beyond. When you’re ready to bring this iconic plant home, look at some important details to make an informed choice.
First of all, pay attention to the bracts, the colorful leaves that make the poinsettia so distinctive. They must be bright, uniformly colored and free from stains or signs of yellowing. The bracts must not have dry or curled edges, a sign that the plant may have been exposed to sudden changes in temperature or less than optimal care conditions.
The green leaves of the plant are another key element: they should be numerous, cool to the touch and well adherent to the branches. If you notice wilting, drooping or yellowing leaves, it’s best to choose another plant, as this could indicate stress or health problems.
Also examine the true flowers, which are located in the center of the colored bracts. The small yellow buds should be well formed and not fully open. If the buds have fallen or are absent, it means the plant is near the end of its flowering cycle.
Observe the soil carefully: it must be slightly moist to the touch, never dry or excessively wet. Soggy soil could indicate improper watering, which may have already caused root problems.
Finally, consider the display conditions at the point of sale. If the plant is near a door that opens often, exposed to cold drafts, or in a place with poor lighting, it may have experienced stress that will affect its long-term health.
When you bring your poinsettia home, protect it well from the cold, especially if the outside temperature is low. Sudden exposure to frost could damage it irreparably.
How to care for poinsettia in winter
The poinsettia in winter can be affected by fungal diseases because of water stagnation at root level. The disease manifests itself with the appearance of gray spots on the leaves of the plant, which most often at this point is unfortunately compromised. It’s possible extend the path of the Christmas star paying attention to avoid the formation of accumulations of water in the saucers and keeping it away during its stay indoors both from sources of excessive heat, which can cause its leaves to dry out, and from cold air currents.
During the stay at home in the winter months, the Christmas star will therefore have to beand kept away from stoves, fireplaces and radiators. When the red leaves have dried, they can be removed with the help of a cutter. It is necessary to wear gloves to avoid coming into contact with the latex contained in the stems and leaves, which can be stinging. The poinsettia can be kept indoors in a bright place from flowering until April, when it can be placed outside.
Both in summer and in winter watering must be carried out only when the soil appears dry on the surface. In the months of October and November the poinsettia can be placed indoors, in a rather dark place, in order to encourage its flowering for the Christmas period. The temperature of the internal environments must be between 15 and 24 degrees °C.
The poinsettia needs this position
Being a tropical plant, the poinsettia loves a warm and bright environment. Uniformly warm temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees and windows facing east or west are ideal. In the case of south-facing windows, direct midday sun can burn the leaves.
Drafts and a place directly above or next to the stove are not good for the poinsettia at all. If you ventilate in winter, you should place the poinsettia in a draft-free place for this period.
When transporting it home from the garden center, make sure the sensitive plant doesn’t get too cold. The poinsettia cannot tolerate cold temperatures – not even for a short time – and can become damaged quickly.
How to care for poinsettia in summer
Similarly for what happens in the case of Christmas cactusthe poinsettia can be placed outdoors during the summer, until the end of September. From this moment on it can be brought inside again. Both during summer and winter watering will have to be done be sporadic.
Often themistake of throwing away the poinsettia at the end of winter, believing that the plant is now dead, as it may have lost its leaves or because it may appear dry. In reality, if the poinsettia you have has a good root system, it will be able to recover and bloom again during the following winter season.
How to multiply the Christmas star
For those who want to try multiplying their poinsettia by get more seedlingsit’s good to know that in spring it is possible to take cuttings. The cut portions of branches must be placed in a vase or glass with water until the roots form. At that point they can be buried to form a new plant.
How to promote the coloration of the bracts
The characteristic red (or other colored) bracts are formed only in specific photoperiod conditions, i.e. with precise light and dark periods:
Water the poinsettia properly
Provide the poinsettia only moderate amounts of water and avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. You can also take the root ball out of the planter and soak it in water for a few minutes.
Any excess water should be drained before placing the plant back in the pot. It is best to water the houseplant with water at room temperature – and only when the top layer of soil is completely dry.
Poinsettia fertilizer
In winter, feed potassium-rich poinsettia fertilizer every two weeks. In summer you should also fertilize weekly, preferably with a complete fertilizer.
Precautions for children and pets
As already underlined, the liquid contained in the stems of the poinsettia can be stinging. For this reason the Christmas plant must be kept out of reach not only of children, but also of pets. In fact, the Christmas star, if ingested by animals, produces a very irritating sap for their digestive system and causes painful blisters in the mouth, accompanied by stomach spasms. (READ also: (If it behaves like this, your cat (or dog) has eaten the poinsettia and needs to be taken to the vet immediately
The stems and leaves of the poinsettia contain aa substance called triterpene which is poisonous if ingested or comes into contact with the skin. It can cause irritation and problems with the digestive system. Contact with skin may cause temporary itching or burning. In case of accidental contact, you should consult your doctor.
What are common poinsettia problems and solutions
Poinsettias can present several problems, often related to improper care or less than ideal environmental conditions.
One of the most common problems is the leaf fallwhich can occur for various reasons. If the leaves fall off shortly after you bring the plant home, it is likely that it was exposed to temperature changes or cold drafts during transportation. In this case, make sure you place it in a stable place, away from drafts and heat sources.
Another sign of suffering is theyellowing of the leaveswhich may indicate excessive or insufficient watering. If the soil is too dry or too wet, the roots will suffer, causing stress to the plant. To solve the problem, regulate the watering: the soil must remain just moist, avoiding water stagnation.
The root rot it is a more serious problem, often caused by insufficient drainage. If the plant appears wilted even though the soil is wet, it could be a sign that the roots are rotting. Immediately remove the poinsettia from the pot, remove the damaged roots and replant it in a fresh, well-draining substrate.
The dry or curled bracts indicate an environment that is too dry or light that is too intense. To remedy this, move the plant to a place with indirect light and increase the humidity in the air, perhaps by misting the leaves with non-calcareous water.
In the end, the attack of parasites such as scale insects or red spiders can weaken the plant. If you notice cottony white spots or fine spider webs, act promptly by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth and using an organic insecticide to prevent further damage.
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