There’s nothing quite like a poinsettia to make a house feel like the holidays. The good news: keeping one happy isn’t hard. It mostly comes down to light, water, and keeping it out of the cold — all things we can manage even in a Denver winter.
Give it bright, indirect light
Poinsettias love light. A spot near a sunny window is ideal, but keep the plant out of direct, hot sunbeams, which can scorch the leaves. If your only sunny window is drafty, pick the brightest draft-free spot you have instead — light matters, but cold air matters more.
Water only when the soil is dry
This is where most poinsettias get into trouble. Feel the soil with your finger: if the top inch is dry, water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom, then empty the saucer or foil wrapper so the plant isn’t sitting in water. If the soil still feels damp, wait. Soggy roots are the number-one poinsettia killer.
Keep it warm and steady
Poinsettias are tropical plants, and they notice our Colorado cold. They do best between 60 and 70 degrees. Keep them away from cold drafts by doors and windows, and away from heat vents and fireplaces, too — hot, dry blasts are just as rough on them as cold ones. And on the drive home from the garden center, don’t leave your poinsettia in a cold car while you run errands. A few minutes in freezing air can do real damage.
Denver’s dry air
Our indoor winter air is dry, and poinsettias notice. If your home runs especially dry, setting the pot on a shallow tray of pebbles with a little water in it (keeping the pot itself above the water) adds a bit of humidity around the plant.
A few things not to worry about
It’s normal for a poinsettia to drop a few lower leaves over the season. They’re not a snack, keep curious pets from munching on them.
With a little attention, your poinsettia should stay colorful well into the new year. And if yours starts looking sad, bring it by — we’re happy to take a look and help you get it back on track.
Visit us at Country Fair Garden Center, 7150 Leetsdale Dr in Denver, for fresh poinsettias and everything else you need for the holidays.