Poinsettia plant care after Christmas

Poinsettias are popular around the holidays and they can last for another season. However, since poinsettia plant care is tricky after the holidays, many people choose to discard the plant rather than try to keep it alive for the following festive season. If you want to try to keep your poinsettia around for another year, here’s what you need to do.

More light

Since we usually display our poinsettia plant or plants in areas with minimal light, it’s important to find a brighter part of your home for the next couple of months. Place the plant near a window that receives enough light and make sure that you water it well. This is all you need to do for the month of February and into March.

Time for a trim

Your poinsettia plant could use a trim during the final month of winter. You can cut them right down to a height of approximately four inches. Just a couple of weeks later, you will notice that your plant will start to sprout new growths. Keep the plant properly hydrated during this time. The pot should offer proper drainage and you should also take care not to overwater or underwater the plant. They can be rather sensitive during this phase.

Darker environment

In order to ‘force’ a poinsettia plant to bloom, it will need to go through a period of darkness. This means that it should receive 16 hours of darkness for a maximum of 10 weeks at a time. Do this just before the holidays to encourage it to bloom in time for Christmas.

Another trim

After the summer season, you should trim your poinsettia plant again. If you have left your plant outside during the warmer months, now is the time to bring it inside and begin the 10-week phase of darkness.

Remember, the poinsettia plant is not the easiest to care for after its initial bloom cycle. However, it is incredibly rewarding when you see all your hard work pay off. Of course, if your plant does not make it through the summer, you can always by a fresh one next Christmas and try again.