How To Care For Your Poinsettia Plant

Poinsettias are popping up all over, which means holiday season is getting closer.

These red and green shrubs are a tell-tale sign of Christmas and are a wonderful addition to our homes during this time of year. They are members of the Euphorbia genus and are quite easy to grow. Poinsettias are also native to Mexico, so how and why did they become such an iconic plant for holidays in the United States?

Joel Roberts Poinsett discovered this bright-colored plant while he was ambassador to Mexico in the 1800’s. He was so attracted to its vibrant hues that in 1825 he brought it back to his home country, the United States.

Poinsettias immediately became a popular tradition for the holidays in the US, but the plant he brought back isn’t the one we know today. The original poinsettias were trees, and Paul Ecke was the man who learned to graft its branches to make them grow in smaller sizes. Now you can find all kinds of variations and hybridizations of the plant.

Krohn Conservatory is one of the places you can view these gorgeous shrubs. Poinsettias have been displayed at the Krohn Conservatory during the holidays for many years. Traditionally, there are over 2,000 on display in the show room, with over 200 in the large poinsettia tree alone. That’s a lot of poinsettias! We encourage you to take a trip to see ‘A Very Merry Garden Holiday’ to discover the pops of red woven into the iconic train display.

After you visit, try caring for your own poinsettia at home. Check out these tips and tricks to ensure a healthy and thriving poinsettia plant:

• Place your poinsettia in a spot with at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light. Do not expose it to direct sunlight for more than one to two hours
• Avoid exposing your poinsettia to drafts
• Avoid placing your poinsettia on surfaces that give off heat, such as a television
• Make sure the soil is moist; if it dries out, the plant will drop its leaves prematurely
• If your plant is in a foil wrapper, pierce the bottom of the foil to ensure proper drainage in a waterproof container
• The color of your poinsettia will last longer if the temperature does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and does not drop below 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. 70 degrees is ideal
• Enjoy! Remember to keep your poinsettia away from small children and pets. Although they are not poisonous, they can cause discomfort to the stomach

For more information about Krohn Conservatory, such as show details and hours, click here:

Tag us on social media in photos of your poinsettia plant to let us know how they’re growing. We hope you have a happy holiday season!