Poinsettia - Red Variety (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Poinsettias are traditional Christmas flowering plants.
• Bold and beautiful, the poinsettia plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has bright petals that contain small flowers of green and yellow at the center.
• Poinsettias come in a range of colors from white to orange but are most popular in their red variety.
• The poinsettia plant is native to Central America where it was used by the Aztecs for decorative and medicinal purposes.
• Today the poinsettia serves as a decorative element everywhere from beautiful churches to the porches of homes.
• In order to keep its bright and cheery appearance, the poinsettia must be given proper care.

SOIL REQUIREMENT

• Poinsettias require loose, porous, and well-draining soil.
• A quality, premixed, pasteurized potting soil available commercially is suitable.

FEEDING/FERTILIZER

• Fertilizing poinsettia plants is never recommended while they’re still in bloom.
• Fertilize poinsettias only if keeping them after the holiday season.
• Apply fertilizer every two weeks or once monthly using a complete houseplant fertilizer.
• Provided the poinsettia plant is given the proper environmental conditions, it should begin to regrow within weeks.

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

• It needs a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day.
• Recommend placing it by a well-lit window, so that it can receive the proper amount of indirect sunlight.
• East-facing windows are best so that they can catch the morning’s glow and bask in the afternoon’s shade.
• Make sure that no part of your plant touches the windowpane, as this may harm the poinsettia.

WATER REQUIREMENT

• Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available.
• Likewise, avoid letting them sit in water-filled saucers, which can lead to root rot.
• Overwatering will kill the plant.
• Water once you notice the surface of the compost starting to dry out.

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