13 Dec What to Do with Those Poinsettias After Christmas?

What Do You Do with a Poinsettia Once the Holidays are Over?

For many families, poinsettias are a popular gift during the holiday season. Unfortunately, as a relatively temperamental plant outside of the cold-weather season, this leaves numerous receivers of these plants wondering what to do regarding poinsettia care once the holidays are over.

When receiving proper care in the home, poinsettias should remain attractive for 2 to 3 months. Nonetheless, many individuals embracing their green thumb commit to the challenge and efforts to keep their poinsettias thriving, hoping for a rebloom the next year.

Our team from Frank’s Lawn & Tree Service wants to share some information on poinsettia care that we hope can assist poinsettia receivers as the calendar turns over. Read on to learn more.

Poinsettia Care After the Holidays

Once Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, etc. ends, poinsettia care will begin by cultivating and implementing suitable growing conditions. Tenders should take care to keep their plant in a warm, sunny window with minimal breeze and wind exposure. Each day, the poinsettia should receive at least 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each and every day.

The challenge for Floridian gardeners is that the plant will additionally need temperatures between 65- and 70-degrees F, with slightly cooler temperatures at night. Nevertheless, the temperature should remain above 60-degrees F to avoid leaf drop.

Individuals can continue watering the plant regularly until the spring season. During this time, they can allow the plant to dry gradually. By the middle of April or May, the plant may demonstrate notable growth. Gardeners should cut stems back to around 4 inches above the soil, repotting it into a larger container with fresh potting mix.

Then, they can continue watering thoroughly, returning the plant to the sunny window. Gardeners should additionally check the poinsettia periodically to ensure the plant wields adequate moisture to thrive. Watering should only take place again with the soil surface feels dry to the touch.

With any luck, new growth will begin again, enabling gardeners to care for the plant with water and sunlight every couple of weeks. By the time early summer comes around, homeowners can move the plant outdoors to a shady location. The plant should receive gradual sun until finally taking it full sunlight while continuing poinsettia care as usual.

Blooming in Time for Christmas

Poinsettias require short day lengths to properly bloom, and from their striking, gorgeous colors, we all appreciate. Gardeners can begin this process by keeping the plant in complete darkness for around 12 to 14 hours from the beginning of October through Thanksgiving. 

By Thanksgiving, the dark period can cease altogether, enabling gardeners to place the plant in a sunny location for at least 6 hours per day. Reducing water intake, the poinsettia should hopefully bloom by Christmas, representing a beautiful centerpiece to holiday décor, ready to begin anew again.

Poinsettia Care | Frank’s Lawn & Tree Service

There is no guarantee that a poinsettia will bloom properly, or at all, even with the best efforts to help it flourish. Nonetheless, for those that enjoy a challenge, the end result is ultimately worth it.

For more information on poinsettia care from our team, contact our professional landscape and garden experts from Frank’s Lawn & Tree Service today!

Also, follow along with our blog for more holiday landscaping tips like our 5 USES FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.