- Perfect For Holiday Season Decor
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light)
- Above Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 12-24 inches
Do you hear holiday bells? It could be a sign that you are in great need of a crimson tropical shrub native to Mexico. This merry house plant, Red Poinsettia, is a common ornamental plant used to decorate holiday halls during Christmas. What many people don’t know, however, is that they should not throw this vibrant evergreen out with the wrapping paper after the Christmas gifts are opened, but instead maintain it. With reasonable care, this new plant companion can offer continued vibrant cheer every holiday season, year after year.
Best Locations For Growing Red Poinsettia
This striking tropical shrub will thrive in any room that has at least six hours of bright, indirect light, 50% to 75% humidity, and temperatures between 65° to 75°. Due to this evergreen’s love of moderate to high humidity, avoid placing it near any types of heating devices, including fireplaces.
Red Poinsettia Sunlight Requirements
To do well, Red Poinsettia needs a minimum of six hours of bright, indirect light. Position it a few feet away from south-facing and east-facing windows.
Red Poinsettia is a unique tropical shrub. Its legendary crimson-colored bracts, often mistaken for the plant’s flowers, are directly affected by the amount of light the plant receives. The more bright light the plant receives, the brighter the color of the bracts.
Red Poinsettia Care
Alternating the amounts of light and darkness this evergreen receives during the fall months will enable this house plant to reproduce its crimson-colored bracts during the holidays.
Dead leaves should be trimmed in order to promote growth and prevent disease. Pruning, however, is not required frequently unless your goal is to grow a bigger plant. You can do this by simply pinching the plant throughout the growing season.
Red Poinsettia prefers soil that is loamy, acidic, and well-draining. A good houseplant potting soil amended with peat moss and perlite should suit your new plant companion. Start your Red Poinsettia out with an 8-inch or 9-inch pot.
With respect to repotting this showy shrub, cut it back to approximately four inches in early spring and then transfer it to a pot that is two to four inches bigger than the old pot. Red Poinsettia is susceptible to root rot, so this is a good time to also check the soil and change it if necessary.
Watering Red Poinsettia
Red Poinsettia is susceptible to root rot, so avoid overwatering. Conducting a moisture check prior to watering will help you prolong the life of your new flamboyant friend. Simply insert your finger one to two inches beneath the soil. If the soil is dry, then water. If not, wait a day or two to conduct another moisture check.
Feeding Red Poinsettia
Except during the blooming season, this evergreen requires monthly feeding with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Red Poinsettia Information
Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light |
Care Requirements: Easy |
Watering Requirements: Above Average - Keep lightly moist. When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out. |
Pet Friendly: No |
Kid Friendly: No |
Air Purifier: Moderate |
Habit: Upright |
Growth Rate: Fast |
Mature Height: 12-24 inches |
Mature Spread: 12-24 inches |
Flowering: Yes |
Flower Color(s): Red |
Flower Shade/Description: Red |
Fragrant: |
Foliage Type: |
Foliage Color(s): Green, Red |
Foliage Description: Red and Green |
Temperature: 65° - 70°F (18° - 21°C) |
Humidity: Average (40% - 60%) |
Common Name: Red Poinsettia |
Other Name(s): Pointsettia |
Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima |
Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Poinsettia_Red-HP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.