The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a popular holiday plant, often treated as a temporary decoration despite its potential for longevity. While its colored leaves, or bracts, typically fade after the holiday season, this tropical shrub can be maintained and encouraged to re-bloom year after year. Achieving this requires a specific, cyclical approach to care, moving from a survival phase to active growth and a controlled environmental shift that triggers the return of its vibrant color.
Immediate Care Following the Holiday Season
Once the colorful bracts fade and the holidays conclude, the poinsettia enters a period of semi-dormancy, typically beginning in January or February. This phase focuses on allowing the plant to rest and recover. Substantial pruning is the first step, signaling the plant to prepare for new growth.
The woody stems should be cut back significantly, leaving only about six to eight inches of growth above the soil line. After this pruning, the plant’s watering schedule must be reduced to prevent root rot in its less active state. Water only enough to keep the stems from shriveling, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out between applications.
The plant should be moved to a slightly cooler location during this resting period. An ideal temperature range is between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the plant from cold drafts or extreme temperature fluctuations, which can stress the plant and inhibit its eventual recovery.
Summer Growth and Shaping
As spring transitions into summer, typically around May, the poinsettia begins its active growth phase. This is the optimal time to repot the plant into a slightly larger container, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Once new leaf growth appears, initiate a regular feeding schedule, such as a monthly application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
Once nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the poinsettia can be safely moved outdoors for the summer. It thrives in a location that receives bright, indirect sunlight, though it can tolerate some morning sun. Placing the container in an area with protection from the intense midday sun prevents leaf scorch.
To ensure the plant develops a dense, bushy shape rather than a tall, leggy one, a process called “pinching” must be performed throughout the summer. This involves removing the tips of the new growth shoots, which encourages the development of lateral branches. Pinching should be repeated every four to six weeks until early September to maximize branching and structure.
The Essential Steps for Re-Coloring
The process of re-coloring the bracts is driven by photoperiodism. Poinsettias are “short-day” plants, requiring a specific duration of uninterrupted darkness to initiate color pigments. This regimen must begin around the first of October to ensure the bracts are fully colored by the holiday season.
The plant must receive 14 hours of continuous, absolute darkness every night. Even brief exposure to a streetlight, car headlights, or a room light can disrupt the process and delay or prevent bract coloration. A practical method involves placing the plant in an unused closet or covering it completely with a light-proof box or opaque garbage bag from approximately 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM daily.
During the daytime, the poinsettia requires eight to ten hours of bright, indirect sunlight and consistent temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This light/dark cycle must be maintained for eight to ten consecutive weeks, or until the bracts begin to display color. Once the color is visible, typically around late November, the darkness treatment can be discontinued, and the plant can be returned to its normal, brightly lit location for the final display.