How to Make Your Poinsettias Last Beyond Christmas?

For many people, poinsettias are synonymous with Christmas. Their brilliantly colored blooms bring such festive cheer to holiday decor. But once the holidays are over, it's common for their leaves to start drooping. However, with some patience and care, you can keep those poinsettias looking lovely for far longer than just Christmas Day. Instead of tossing them out right after New Year's, try giving them some TLC. With a bit of pruning, watering, fertilizing, and repotting, you'll be amazed at how long you can enjoy their holiday spirit. Read on for some simple tips on Christmas flower poinsettia care.

Poinsettias are holiday classics

Poinsettias are such a staple of the Christmas season. Their bright red, pink, or white blooms just scream holiday cheer and are available at florist in Grand Rapids MI! However, many people find that their poinsettias start to wilt and drop leaves right after the holidays are over. But there are some ways you can take care of Christmas flowers and make them last longer so you can enjoy their beauty beyond just Christmas Day.

Care for them properly

Lowell Flower Shop suggests that poinsettias prefer medium to bright light but not direct sun which can scorch their leaves. Place them in a spot with indirect natural light from a sunny window.

- Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings, but don't let it become completely dry. The moist soil prevents the leaves from dropping. You can check the soil by sticking your finger in about half an inch.

- Fertilize them monthly during the bloom period with a houseplant fertilizer to keep them healthy. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength on the label.

- Poinsettias like warm temperatures around 70°F. At night, they can tolerate down to around 60°F but any cooler and their leaves may start dropping.

- Be sure not to put poinsettias anywhere near drafty areas like near AC vents or doors where they may get blasts of cold air.

Progressive pruning can extend Poinsettia life

Once the holiday season wraps up, you can try progressive pruning to keep your poinsettia's blooms looking good for a few more weeks.

- Starting in late December or early January, use sharp pruners or scissors to remove the top quarter of the plant, cutting just above leaf joints.

- Continue pruning smaller sections every 7 to 10 days. This stimulates new growth and prevents the plant from putting all its energy into dropping leaves naturally.

- Pruning too much at once can shock the plant, so taking it gradually by sectioning allows it to adjust. You should be able to enjoy the blooms through mid-January or later with progressive pruning.

Repot them when done blooming

Most poinsettias are grown in very cramped nursery containers just to make it through the holidays. Once they are done blooming, usually by late January or early February, it's time to repot them into larger pots with fresh soil to promote more robust growth.

- Carefully remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots if they are very pot-bound.

- Repot into a container with a diameter roughly 2 inches larger and fill in around the roots with well-draining potting soil.

- Return the repotted plant to a sunny spot and wait for new leaves to emerge as it resets itself through winter into spring.

Ready to try making your poinsettias last all winter? Daylily Floral has a wide selection of gorgeous poinsettias to choose from. Order yours today from your nearby flower shop in Wyoming and get ready for festive color well into the new year!