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Garden Club of Cape Coral | Caring for your poinsettia after the holidays

By CAROLE KERNS 4 min read
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Poinsettias. UF/IFAS

Many people enjoy decorating their homes with plants for the December holidays. The colorful poinsettia adds a festive atmosphere to homes and are often received as gifts.

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and was given the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima which means “very beautiful.” It was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, an avid gardener and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett sent plants back to his greenhouse in Charleston, South Carolina, and they soon became known by the common name “poinsettia.” The ornate portions of the plant, which most people consider the flower, are actually colorful leaves called bracts. The small, yellow flowers of the poinsettia are clustered in the center of the bracts.

Once the holidays are over, with proper care, your poinsettia can remain colorful for several months. If kept indoors, keep the plant away from drafts. Place the poinsettia in an area that is well lit, being careful not to place it in direct sunlight or hot, artificial light. Because this plant needs moist but well drained soil, water the poinsettia when the surface of the soil is dry. Place a saucer under the pot and drain, if water forms into it. To prolong the plant’s color and life span, provide slightly humid air by misting the plant with a sprayer or by placing it on a gravel tray. Do not fertilize your poinsettia until you are prepared to move it outside.

When planting your poinsettia outdoors, always remember “Right Plant, Right Place.”

Light conditions: Plant the poinsettia in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight, making sure that it will not be exposed to artificial light at night. Avoid the midday sun, as it can scorch the leaves.

Planting: Place the plant in the soil at the same depth that it was growing in the container. Gently pat the soil around the plant and water. Add mulch to retain moisture, protect the soil from erosion and to suppress weeds.

Moisture: Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry, so that the soil is evenly moist but not saturated.

Temperature: Although our area rarely experiences a frost, it can happen. If a frost is predicted, bring potted plants inside or cover the in-ground plants during the cold nights.

Pruning: In early spring, after the flowering period, prune back the plant by cutting the stems to within 12-18 inches from the ground to stimulate new growth. To encourage fullness, pinch back the tips of the stems in late spring or early summer.

Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer sparingly from March to May and in October. Lee County has an ordinance that prohibits the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus between June 1 and Sept. 30.

Monitor for pests: Check your plants regularly for common pests such as mealy bugs and spider mites.

Re-blooming: To encourage re-blooming, provide a period of darkness for poinsettias planted outside. Cover them completely with a dark material such as a cardboard box or blackout cloth for 12-14 hours each night during the fall months. Remove the covering during the day to allow them access to the sunlight.

Take care: The milky sap of the poinsettia can irritate your skin, if the stem or leaf is broken. Avoid contact with your eyes and wash your hands thoroughly after handling. Wearing gardening gloves is another safe alternative. While not highly toxic, it is recommended to keep poinsettias out of the reach of children and pets.

This year we have been experiencing more cloudy days than usual in Southwest Florida. Why not brighten up the next few months by caring for your lovely poinsettias. They will give our spirits a lift and remind us of warm holiday memories.

Don’t miss March in the Park – the Garden Club of Cape Coral’s biggest fundraiser on March 8 at Rotary Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carole Kerns is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and is the assistant manager of the Berne Davis Botanical Garden.