A favourite indoor plant at Christmas is the seasonally coloured Poinsettia. These potted plants can be better value than a bunch of flowers in December.

• The picture shows thousands of Poinsettia in a propagating glasshouse.
• I wouldn’t bother with the pinks and white plants as it is the red and green that reminds me so vividly of Christmas.
• Poinsettias need special light conditions to get the colourful bracts so I would recommend buying not growing your plants. With care they can be kept but seldom excel twice.
• Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbia family and originate from Mexico.
• The flowers are the small yellow centres the coloured section are ‘bracts’ a modified leaf.

 Care Tips

• When you buy a Poinsettia make sure it is wrapped as exposure to cold will damage it and make leaves drop.
• Plants showing yellow pollen are mature and will drop leaves quicker than those with closed yellow buds.
• Place in indirect light, out of a drafts and without leaves touching cold windows.
• High temperatures above 70°F shorten the plants life.
• Water when dry to stop the Poinsettia from wilting and dropping leaves plant .
• Do not fertilise when in bloom.

Selecting your Poinsettia

• Do not buy drooping, wilting or yellow leaved plants.
• Poinsettia should be about 2-3 times the size of the pot.
• Plants should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
• Chose plants with dark green leaves down to soil level.
• Select plants where the true flowers are tight and green or tipped red for a longer lasting show.
• There are over 100 varieties so you may wish to try several.

Growing your Own

• Our local nursery dedicates two glasshouse to this December crop.
• Poinsettia need 14 hours a day complete dark for ten weeks before sale to form good bracts.
• Commercial information can be found in the Poinsettia Growers Guide
• For more information such as reflowering tips try  ask.com  ….. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) remain one of the most popular holiday flowers.
• Hybridizers have expanded the range of colors from the familiar red to pastel yellow and vibrant bi-colors. One of the most common questions after Christmas is “How can I care for my poinsettia so that it will bloom again next Christmas?”. While this can be done, it’s a very fussy, exacting process and since the plants are not that expensive, you might just choose to start fresh next year. For those of you who are undaunted, the process for saving your poinsettia and getting it to rebloom begins with the care you give it the first season.

Thompson & Morgan for gift plants including Poinsettia