Red Poinsettia

Light Needs

Bright Indirect Light to Medium Light

Mature Height

1 - 2 Feet

Mature Spread

1 - 2 Feet

Feature

Low Maintenance

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 bright evergreen out with the wrapping paper after the Christmas gifts are opened, but instead maintain it. With proper care, this new plant can bring bright joy every holiday season, year after year.

Best Locations For Growing Red Poinsettia

This striking tropical shrub will grow 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.

FAQs

Where should I place a poinsettia indoors?

Choose a bright room with indirect sunlight—near an east or south window is ideal. Keep it a few feet from glass to avoid hot sun on the bracts, and protect it from cold drafts and heater blasts.

How often should I water?

Check the soil weekly and water when the top inch is dry. Soak thoroughly until water runs from the drainage hole, then discard any water that collects in a cachepot or saucer. Consistently wet soil can cause root rot and leaf drop.

Do poinsettias need fertilizer?

Not during the peak holiday display. After the bracts fade, feed monthly with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer at half strength while the plant is growing foliage in spring and summer.

How do I get it to turn red again next year?

Beginning in early fall, give the plant 12–14 hours of complete darkness each night (a closet or light-proof box) and bright light by day for 8–10 weeks. Maintain normal watering. Once color develops, return it to regular bright indoor light for holiday display.

When should I repot or prune?

In early spring, cut the plant back to about 4–6 inches to promote branching, then repot into a container one size larger with fresh, well-draining mix. Routine pruning isn’t required during the holidays—just remove any faded leaves or bracts as needed.

SKU:

Poinsettia_Red-HP