Q&A for How to Grow Poinsettia

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After I prune the plants heavily in February or March where should I keep it?

Katie Gohmann
Professional Gardener
Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.

Katie Gohmann

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Continue to keep it in a location with 6 hours of bright indirect light per day.

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If my poinsetta is covered for four days with no light will it influence the blooming process?

Katie Gohmann
Professional Gardener
Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.

Katie Gohmann

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

No, four days is not long enough. You need to give it the darkness treatment for 8-10 weeks, 12 hours of total darkness per day.

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Question

How do I make sure my poinsettia isn't dying?

Community Answer

Keep checking the leaves to ensure they're not drooping, as this can be a good sign of either over- or under-watering the plant.

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Question

What can I do to stop the green leaves from falling off?

Community Answer

Be careful not to overwater, and don't sit the plant near a heat source where the air is too dry for the leaves. Poinsettias like moist but not soggy soil and high humidity.

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Question

Can I propagate a cutting by sticking it in water?

Community Answer

No, the cuttings need to be started in sterile potting medium with a humidity dome or loosely covered with a plastic bag (where air can still get it). They will just rot in water -- it has to be done in soil with cuttings.

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Question

Where can I buy rooting hormones for my Poinsettia plant?

Community Answer

You can buy Indolebutyric acid at a box store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc). I get it locally at the grocery store. It will probably have numbers ( 3 or 1H ) before the name. Just be sure that the directions say to mix in water before using. This form is a "salt" of the acid, hence the extra numbers and letters. If you get the "pure" acid, it will have to be dissolved in alcohol first (everclear liquor) then diluted with water.

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Question

Are they harmful to cats?

Community Answer

Poinsettias are mildly poisonous to dogs and cats. Vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation might occur. It's always best to keep the plants away from pets (and children).

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Question

What should I do with my poinsettia now that Christmas is over?

Community Answer

Snip the stems and plant it in a shady area, somewhere that will be completely dark from sunset till dawn.

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Question

Can I plant poinsettias near an in-ground pool?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you wait to plant after the danger of frost. Meanwhile, keep the plant in bright light, and keep the soil moist, not soggy.

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Question

The poinsettia is too big. Can I divide it to bring it in?

Community Answer

Yes. Cut the base off, let the poinsettia sit for 2 days, then replant it. It will decrease the size.

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How do I save my poinsettia from fungus?

Community Answer

You should keep the poinsettia in stable condition, and give it plant food/ keep it under a heat lamp.

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Question

Do I continue to water during the darkness period when growing poinsettias?

Community Answer

Please continue watering your poinsettia as usual during the "darkness period". Don't forget to give it a good fertilizer once a month, too.

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Question

How do I make my poinsettia turn white?

Community Answer

There are many varieties of poinsettias. You cannot make a red poinsettia turn white, but if the plant was white and has reverted to green, read the article above for directions how to encourage the leaves to turn white again.

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