Poinsettia Care: Bracts, Water and After the Holidays
Keep Euphorbia pulcherrima comfortable while its coloured bracts last.
Quick questions
Are the red parts poinsettia flowers?
No. They are coloured bracts around small yellow true flowers.
How often should I water a poinsettia?
Water when the surface dries and let the inner pot drain, even inside a decorative sleeve.
Why are leaves falling?
Cold draughts, heat, sudden change and root moisture can all play a role. Check conditions first.
Will it turn red again next year?
It can, but needs carefully controlled long dark periods and bright days.
Is poinsettia safe for pets?
ASPCA lists it as toxic but generally with mouth or stomach irritation rather than severe poisoning. Contact a veterinarian after ingestion.
The showy red, pink or white parts of a poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are bracts, not petals. The true flowers are the tiny yellow structures at their centre, visible in the photograph.
Light and a steady position
Give bright light and keep the pot away from cold draughts, heaters and fireplaces. Sudden cold or heat can shorten the display and cause leaves to fall. A potted plant needs drainage even if its decorative sleeve hides the nursery pot.
Water by checking the pot
Feel the surface. When it dries, water thoroughly and let excess drain from the inner pot. Remove standing water from the sleeve. Wilting can follow a dry root ball or wet damaged roots, so check before watering again.
After the colour fades
A healthy poinsettia can continue as a green plant. Getting coloured bracts again needs a strict cycle of long, uninterrupted dark periods and bright days, so it is a project rather than a promise for next December.
Sap and pets
The milky sap may irritate skin. ASPCA lists poinsettia as toxic to cats and dogs, typically causing mouth or stomach irritation; its danger is often exaggerated compared with more hazardous plants. Keep it out of reach and seek veterinary advice after chewing.
Related LeafLovers guides
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