Q&A for How to Prune a Poinsettia

Modern poinsettia varieties can have blooms that last for months. If your plant is healthy and in a sunny location, cut off the blooms in late winter and apply fertilizer to encourage new growth.

Prune back 1-2 of the woody stems to 6-8 inches, fertilize the plant, and keep it in a sunny location. New shoots will develop on the pruned stems in a few weeks. When the new shoots look good, prune one or more of the other woody stems using the same process. Your plant should reach a good size in a few months.

Prune back 1-2 of the woody stems to 6-8 inches, fertilize the plant, and keep it in a sunny spot. New shoots will develop on the pruned stems in a few weeks. Once the new shoots grow well, prune one or more of the other woody stems using the same process. Your plant should reach a good size in a few months.

Prune back one or two of the woody stems to 6 to 8 inches, fertilize the plant, and keep it in a sunny location. New shoots will develop on the pruned stems in a few weeks. When the new shoots look good, prune one or more of the other woody stems using the same process. Your plant should be a good size in a few months.

Prune back 1-2 of the woody stems to 6-8 inches, fertilize the plant, keep it in a sunny location, and new shoots will develop on the pruned stems in a few weeks. When the new shoots look good, prune one or more of the other woody stems in the same way. Your plant should be a good size in a few months.

Prune back 1-2 of the woody stems to 6-8 inches, fertilize the plant, and keep it in a sunny location. New shoots will develop on the pruned stems in a few weeks. When the new shoots look good, prune one or more of the other woody stems using the same process. Your plant should be a good size in a few months.

Cut the stems as you would for any cut flower and place them in water immediately. They should last about a week indoors.

No, just remove the flowers when you are ready to prune the plant, apply fertilizer, and keep the plant in a sunny window. New shoots will develop in a couple of weeks.

Mid-summer is a great time to prune your poinsettia to shorten it. With proper care, you'll have flowers by early winter.

Yes, you can save it. Trim back the entire plant in March and place it in a sunny window. Apply fertilizer every three weeks until the middle of September.

Choose half of the stems and cut them to 6-8 inches. When new shoots develop leaves on the cut stems, cut the other half of the stems to 6-8 inches.

Yes. Doing so would remove the flowers that are about to show color.

Late August. Allow enough time to develop new shoots that will produce flowers.

Probably not. Plants often lose their leaves due to inadequate or excessive watering and lack of fertilizer.

You should prune your poinsettia around the beginning of September. It will likely bloom around Christmas, depending on available light.

Your poinsettia may be overwatered and lacks sunlight. Move it to a sunny window to encourage new leaf growth. If no new leaves develop, consider discarding the plant.

Poinsettia stems are typically hollow naturally, so there is nothing to be concerned about.

You can prune your poinsettia to improve its appearance. Remove about half of the plant and wait for new leaves and branches to appear on the pruned stems before pruning the other half. Place it in a sunny window with at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. Apply houseplant fertilizer every three weeks as per label instructions. Your plant should be growing normally in a couple of months.

Yes, you received a painted or dyed poinsettia, which are striking. Your plant will likely have white flowers when it blooms for Christmas next time.