While originally found in Mexico, you can find poinsettias in homes and on patios throughout the U.S., especially around the holiday season. Ranging from a soft white to a warm red, the flower’s wide, velvety petals create the perfect backdrop for seasonal decorations. However, in low temperatures, it’s more challenging to keep these plants healthy.

3 Tips for Proper Poinsettia Care

1. Choose the Right Amount of Light

For your poinsettia plant to remain vibrant and healthy through the holiday season, you’ll need to ensure it’s getting enough nutrients. Sunlight is critical for this plant’s survival, but during the winter, it can be hard to ensure it receives enough. This flower needs at least six hours of sunlight a day, but it doesn’t have to be direct. Place it in a sunroom or near a window that receives sufficient natural light during the day.

2. Regulate the Temperature

During the winter, you won’t be able to leave your poinsettias outside in Ohio since they shouldn’t be left in temperatures lower than 55 degrees. For the best results, poinsettias need daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. If you like to keep your home toasty, leave the plant by a window or the perimeter of the house, where temperatures are cooler. 

3. Monitor the Soil

You’ll also need to give your poinsettias a comfy bed in which to bloom or a pot filled with moist soil. The dirt should be only slightly damp to avoid drowning the plant or encouraging fungal growth. Whenever the top layer of soil feels dry and crumbly, pour a bit of room temperature water into the planter. Make sure the foil or paper around the planter is removed, and dispose of the water that drains into the saucer below.

If you’re hoping to spruce up your home with these festive blooms, turn to Northgate Greenhouses of Cincinnati, OH. They offer these impressive flowers, as well as herbs, dahlias, and tropical plants to add to your collection. After receiving the Cincinnati Flower Show Best in Show and Mayors Award, you can trust their inventory to be of the highest quality. Call (513) 729-1134 to inquire about a specific plant, or visit the website to learn more about their offerings.