How to Revive a Dying Poinsettia: Easy Steps for Beginners

PDF download Download Article
Top tips & tricks for bringing back a wilted or fading poinsettia
PDF download Download Article

Poinsettias add a beautiful pop of color during the holidays, and they can also make a lovely houseplant year-round. But what do you do if your poinsettia is dropping leaves, fading, or shriveling? You’re in luck—with the right care, poinsettias can be surprisingly resilient. We have everything you need to know to reverse the damage and save your dying poinsettia so you can enjoy it for another year.

How do you keep a poinsettia alive?

If your poinsettia is showing signs of distress, first prune away any dead or damaged leaves. Water the plant if it’s dried out, and place it in bright, indirect light, away from drafts. Repot it in fresh soil if it’s overwatered, or in a larger pot if it’s rootbound.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Revive a Dying or Wilting Poinsettia

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your poinsettia is showing signs of stress, you’ll probably notice that the leaves are turning yellow or brown, or they may be shriveling up and falling off. Use your fingers or a pair of garden shears to snip off any leaves that look damaged. If any stems look mushy, shriveled, or rotted, cut them back to about 1 ⁄ 2  in (1.3 cm) below the affected area.
    • In addition to removing dead material that could lead to further rotting, trimming the stems may help stimulate new growth. [1]
    • If there’s no dead foliage, wait until spring, then cut your poinsettia back to about 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) above the soil line. [2]
    • Your poinsettia may look like little more than a bare stick by the time you’re finished pruning. This is completely normal—the foliage will return once the plant emerges from dormancy in the spring. [3]
    • Wear gloves while pruning: The sap that’s in poinsettias contains latex, which can irritate your skin or cause a rash. [4]
  2. Stick your finger about 1 in (2.5 cm) into the soil. If it feels dry, pour water through the plant until it drains through the holes in the bottom of the planter. Check the soil every 1–2 days, watering each time the top 1 in (2.5 cm) dries out. [5]
    • Underwatering can cause your poinsettia to look wilted, shriveled, or yellow. [6]
    • Remove the decorative wrapper from the poinsettia planter before you water—otherwise, the water won’t be able to drain out and the roots could rot.
    • Be careful not to overwater your poinsettia. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and other complications that can easily kill the plant.
    Advertisement
  3. If your poinsettia is wilted and the leaves are falling off, the problem could be with the roots. [7] Carefully grasp the poinsettia by the stem and slide it out of the pot, soil and all. Take care not to damage the plant. Examine any roots that are visible on the outside of the soil. [8]
    • If roots are filling up the entire pot: The plant is rootbound, which means the root ball has grown too large for the planter. There won’t be much soil, and the plant will eventually show signs of distress. Replant in a pot about 1 in (2.5 cm) larger than the old one. [9]
    • If the roots look brown and mushy: The plant has probably been overwatered and the roots are starting to rot. If there’s still some healthy root tissue, carefully snip away any rotted roots and repot the poinsettia in fresh soil. Only water when the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of the soil is dry.
    • If the roots are firm and white and fill about half of the pot: The poinsettia has healthy roots and is in the correct size pot. Carefully slide it back into its original pot.
  4. Like most tropical plants, poinsettias prefer plenty of bright, filtered light. Keep them near a sunny window—they do best in windows that face south, east, or west. If your poinsettia doesn’t get enough light, the leaves may look pale and wilted. [10]
    • Don’t let the leaves of the poinsettia touch the glass, especially if it’s cold outside. The cold temperatures will damage the plant. [11]
    • Avoid placing your poinsettia in direct sunlight. If the light is too bright, your poinsettia’s leaves will scorch and turn brown.
  5. Poinsettias are a tropical plant, so they prefer warmer temperatures—a good rule of thumb is that they’re comfortable at about the same temperature you are. Fortunately, this means that they’ll be content in almost any room of the house. [12]
    • Avoid temperature fluctuations—do not place poinsettias near heaters, radiators, vents, or doors with a draft. [13]
    • Wrap the poinsettia if you need to carry it through cold temperatures, like if you’re bringing it home from the store in winter.
    • Your poinsettia may wilt or drop its leaves if the temperatures are too hot, too cold, or fluctuate abruptly.
  6. 6
    Use a pebble tray if you live in a dry climate. Normal household humidity is typically fine for poinsettias. But if you live in a dry climate or your house gets dry when you run the heat in winter, place the poinsettia on a tray filled with pebbles. Add a little water to the tray, but don’t let the water touch the bottom of the planter. [14]
    • As the water evaporates, it will create humidity in the air for the poinsettia.
    • If you prefer, you can run a humidifier near the poinsettia instead of using a pebble tray.
    • Keeping your poinsettia near other houseplants can also raise the ambient humidity. [15]
    • If the humidity is too low, your poinsettia’s leaves might look shriveled or crispy.
  7. Common garden pests like aphids and whiteflies have been known to feed on poinsettia leaves. The best way to minimize the damage they do is to spray the plant periodically with a mild organic pesticide, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap . If there are only a few invaders present, you may be able to simply remove them by hand. [16]
    • Keep in mind that organic pesticides typically have to be reapplied more frequently than chemical products due to their gentler ingredients.
    • If you don’t like the idea of treating your plant with pesticides, try mixing up your own homemade solution by combining an all-natural liquid soap with warm water in a spray bottle and using it to blast bugs whenever they pop up. [17]
    • If pests are affecting your poinsettia, you might notice small white, brown, or yellow spots on the leaves.
  8. Fertilizers are essential for adding vital nutrients to your growing soil. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer (like a 20-20-20 fertilizer ) for delicate plants like poinsettias. [18] Always use the amount specified in the instructions of a particular product.
    • You can also use a natural organic material like garden compost or worm castings to fertilize your poinsettia.
    • Plan on reapplying fertilizer about once a month while the plant is in its most active stages of growth.
    9. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

Why is my poinsettia wilting or dying?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your poinsettia may wilt due to pests or receiving or an improper amount of nutrients. Poinsettias are tropical plants, which means they like warm temperatures, plenty of moisture and humidity, and bright, indirect sunlight. If their conditions aren’t right, poinsettias will quickly wilt and drop their leaves. Typically, the green leaves will fall off first, then the colorful leaves (called bracts). If your poinsettia looks wilted, shriveled, brown, or yellow, the problem could be: [19]
    • Overwatering/underwatering: Too much or too little water can cause the poinsettia to droop and drop its leaves.
    • Lack of light/too much light: Incorrect lighting can cause the poinsettia’s leaves to turn yellow or brown and fall off.
    • Low humidity: Dry air can make the poinsettia look brown and crispy.
    • Temperature stress: Cold temperatures, sudden drafts, or blasts of heat can lead to leaves yellowing or falling off.
    • Lack of nutrition: If your poinsettia needs fertilizer, it may grow slowly or not at all.
    • Pests/diseases: Pests on your poinsettia can leave small white, yellow, or brown dots o n the leaves..
Section 3 of 5:

When is a poinsettia beyond saving?

PDF download Download Article
  1. You may not be able to save a poinsettia that’s mushy or black. If the stem or roots of the poinsettia are dark brown or black, slimy, or squishy, the plant may be rotted. If the rot is contained to a small area, like a single stem or only a few roots, you may be able to save the plant by removing the affected area. However, if the roots have rotted completely away or most of the stems need to be removed, there’s probably no saving the plant. [20]
    • Will a poinsettia come back after losing its leaves? A poinsettia can come back after losing its leaves. In fact, heavy pruning in the spring is recommended to encourage vigorous summer growth. [21]
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Encouraging New Growth in Spring and Summer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Let your poinsettia sit outdoors for a few hours on warm afternoons. Place the plant in a partially-shaded area so it doesn’t overheat. Screened-in patios and flower beds protected by tree cover can make great outdoor homes for growing poinsettias. [22]
    • Introduce your poinsettia to outdoor conditions gradually. It’s usually best to start with a few hours in the early morning, then increase its exposure by an hour or two every day until it’s able to withstand an entire afternoon.
    • Look for a spot in your garden with plenty of morning sun but more shade in the afternoon.
    • It may be necessary to water your poinsettia more frequently if it’s been spending a lot of time in the hot sun. Drooping, wilting, or wrinkled leaves may be a sign that your plant has been outside too long. [23]
  2. Once the weather begins to heat up, use garden shears to trim each stem back so it’s only about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) tall. This may seem drastic, but it will actually encourage vigorous growth in the plant. [24]
    • By removing the stems, you’ll be redirecting more of the plant’s resources into producing new foliage.
    • Every few weeks during the growing season (through about the end of August), pinch the tips off of new shoots to encourage a fuller, bushier plant. [25]
  3. By mid-fall, it will be too chilly to keep your poinsettia out during the day. Once temperatures dip down to about 50 °F (10 °C) at night, bring it back in. Find a warm, cozy spot for the plant inside your home where it can enjoy 6–8 hours of indirect sun exposure per day. [26]
    • It may be alright to leave your poinsettia outdoors throughout the fall and winter if you live in a region where the temperature stays above 50 °F (10 °C) at all times. The important thing is to protect it from frost and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
    4. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Getting Your Poinsettia to Rebloom

PDF download Download Article
  1. In order to produce vibrantly colored bracts (or leaves) after a dormant period, your poinsettia will need to spend 12–14 hours a night in total darkness between September and November. Place a black fabric bag or cardboard box over the plant every evening at about 5:00 PM. Uncover it again around 8:00 AM the following morning. [27]
    • Consider tucking your poinsettia away in a closet or basement after covering it. Even the faintest ambient light can be enough to prevent it from blooming on time.
    • Poinsettias are photoperiod plants, which means the amount of foliage they produce is determined by the number of hours a day they spend without light.

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I think I drowned my poinsettia. It had bright green leaves, now the stems look like twigs. Is this beyond help?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Your poinsettia could be dormant or it could have dropped its leaves for reasons such as over watering or being housed near a draft. Continue watering your plant and keep it in a bright room to see if leaves will grow back. After a few months if there is no sign of growth your plant is likely dead.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 24
  • Question
    Can I put it in a green house?
    Community Answer
    Yes! It does fine in a heated greenhouse. Don't let it get below 42° & have a sunscreen cover to filter direct sun.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 14
  • Question
    I found this poinsettia in the trash and the branches are broken. How can I fix the plant?
    Community Answer
    Trim the broken ones back to an 1/8 inch above a good bud or branch, then water it once or twice a week.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 32
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Always wear gloves when pruning your poinsettias. The sap contains latex, which is a skin irritant for some people.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Grow Poinsettia
      How to
      Prune Hibiscus
      How to
      Prune Tulips
      How to
      Propagate Bougainvillea
      Planting & Germinating Sunflower Seeds: Tips for Success
      What Does a Five-Leaf Clover Mean?
      How to
      Grow Jasmine from Cuttings
      How to
      Store Tulip Bulbs in Summer & Winter
      How to
      Grow Lotus Flower
      How to
      Propagate Hibiscus
      Growing Plumeria from Cuttings: Stripping, Planting, & Aftercare
      How to
      Prune Bougainvillea
      The 8 Best Ways to Preserve Flowers at Home
      When & How to Prune Lilies for Healthy, Happy Blooms
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/NQm4MawJsYg?t=45
      2. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/news/keep-holiday-spirit-alive-indoors-poinsettia
      3. ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/caring-poinsettias
      4. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/poinsettia
      5. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/how-to-care-for-poinsettia/
      6. ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/poinsettias-7-412/
      7. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      8. ↑ https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H406/
      9. ↑ https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H406/
      1. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/poinsettias/
      2. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/how-to-care-for-poinsettia/
      3. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      4. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/news/keep-holiday-spirit-alive-indoors-poinsettia
      5. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/how-to-care-for-poinsettia/
      6. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      7. ↑ https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/poinsettias/
      8. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-make-homemade-insecticidal-soap-for-plants/
      9. ↑ https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H406/
      10. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      11. ↑ https://www.pthorticulture.com/en-us/training-center/poinsettias-root-diseases-how-to-prevent-and-solve
      12. ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/caring-poinsettias
      13. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/news/keep-holiday-spirit-alive-indoors-poinsettia
      14. ↑ https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/poinsettias/
      15. ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/news/keep-holiday-spirit-alive-indoors-poinsettia
      16. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      17. ↑ https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/poinsettia-care.html
      18. ↑ https://yougrowgirl.com/save-your-plant-poinsettia/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 309,861 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ross Demmon

        Jan 5, 2017

        "My poinsettias did not get watered for a week, so when I got home the leaves were shriveled up. Thank you for the ..." more
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement