Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular potted plants, particularly during the Christmas season. Brightly colored and mostly red, a Poinsettia provides effective color in home decor during and after the holiday season.

Attributes

Type: Perennial Holiday Plant
Height: 10in - 12in
Spread: 10in - 12in
Pet Safe: Can be mildly toxic to pets

Care

General Maintenance: The Poinsettia is a short day plant that blooms in reaction to the natural shortening of the days in fall. In order for you to 'set' the time of blooming for Christmas, your plant must be subjected to 14 hours of total darkness per day with a night temperature of 10° Celsius. beginning in mid September. 

Temperature: Poinsettias prefer temperatures around 18° - 21° during the day, and 12° - 15° at nights. Temperatures below 10° or above 26° Celsius will cause the plant to lose leaves. Keep your poinsettia far away from heaters or cold drafts. 

Light: Typically these plants would like about 6 hours of indirect sunlight in a day, but you may need to give them less light if you are trying to 'set' their bloom time. 

Watering: Prefers moderately moist soil, allow the first few inches of the soil to dry out between watering. Water until it begins to come out of the drainage holes, but do not allow your plant to sit in excess water. 

Soil: Any average, well-draining potting soil will work well. 

Fertilizer: Feed your plant every two weeks with an all purpose liquid fertilizer while the plant is actively growing.