Everyone else currently has a sad-looking poinsettia sitting on their countertop, right? December is so busy, and being honest: after the toddler, the dog, the presents, the house and everything else, this naturally comes last. Now, I’m not very green fingered at the best of times — the fact that my poinsettia currently has some leaves left on it and is still red, is actually a bit of a Christmas miracle in itself.
So, when an expert offered some advice, all of which I previously had no clue about, I was all ears. Stars for Europe UK expert, Dr Susanne Lux, enlightened me about 3 easy ways in which to keep your poinsettia alive, so that it will live not only through this Christmas, but even to see Christmas 2026. Who knew it was possible?
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1. Move it to a different spot
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Truly, the room in which this plant lives can make a world of a difference. “Poinsettias like light and warmth. Temperatures between 60-70°F (15-22°C) are ideal,” says Susanne.
She suggests ideal placement locations such as a windowsill, and away from radiators and fireplaces. It needs to be kept at a pretty constant temperature, so if you do plan on placing it on a windowsill, move it out of the way before you open for fresh air.
Not only that, but Susanne enlightened me that placing this fruit too close to a fruit bowl (in particular, apples, bananas and tomatoes) can cause it to wilt faster because these emit ethylene. This now makes total sense, as mine was sitting right next to my giant wooden fruit bowl, which always has a constant supply of bananas and apples in.
2. Water it sparingly
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My poinsettia is constantly drying out, and every time I move it, I notice that several leaves are falling off. “If the living room is too warm, a cooler, brighter spot in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen may be a better choice,” recommends Susanna.
When it comes to watering, she says that too much water is one of the most common mistakes people make with this type of plant.
Susanna says that you should “allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and avoid waterlogging.”
How to know when it needs water? Check the soil with a dry toothpick, and if it feels dry to a depth of 2-3cm, it needs watering.
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Alternatively, she says if, “the pot feels noticeably light when lifted, it’s time to water.”
3. Know the right (and wrong!) ways to water
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It’s not just a hold it under a running faucet and you’re good to go situation, here. There are several ways to water a Poinsettia:
From the top — Use a small amount of room temperature water, and once done, wait 15 minutes to check no liquid is lingering after. If it is, pour this extra liquid away.
Use a drip tray — Pour water into a drip tray, and place the plant on top so it can drink the water. Take it off the tray and drain any remaining water after 15 minutes.
Immerse it — Yep, immersing your whole plant in water can do it wonders, too. This is a better option for mini Poinsettias or if the soil is extremely dry. Just dip it into water briefly, while allowing the entire pot to soak the plant evenly. You need to allow it to properly drain afterwards, before popping it back into its pot.
(Image credit: Future)
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