Poinsettia Care: How to Keep Your Holiday Plant Thriving (and Make It Rebloom)
Quick answer: Keep a poinsettia in bright, indirect light, at 65–75°F, away from cold drafts and heat vents, and water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Never let it sit in water: remove the decorative foil or make sure it can drain. With that care, a poinsettia stays colorful well past the holidays, and with a little patience it can turn red again next year.
Poinsettia care at a glance
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light; a few feet from a sunny window is ideal |
| Temperature | 65–75°F during the day, not below about 60°F at night |
| Water | When the top inch of soil is dry; drain completely |
| Humidity | Moderate; group with other plants or use a pebble tray in dry homes |
| Fertilizer | None while in color; monthly from spring through summer |
| Pets | Mildly irritating if eaten; rarely serious |
How much light does a poinsettia need?
Poinsettias like plenty of bright, indirect light, ideally six or more hours a day. A spot near a south-, east- or west-facing window works well, as long as the leaves don't touch cold glass. Avoid strong direct afternoon sun, which can fade the bracts.
How often should you water a poinsettia?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, usually every few days to once a week depending on your home. Water until it drains out the bottom, then empty the saucer. Most poinsettias are sold in decorative foil or sleeves that trap water. Take the plant out to water it, or poke holes in the foil so it can drain. Soggy soil is the most common way poinsettias die.
Why is my poinsettia dropping leaves?
- Cold drafts or chilly windows. Temperatures below about 50°F, even briefly, can make leaves drop. Keep it away from exterior doors and cold glass, and don't leave it in a cold car.
- Heat and dry air. Fireplaces, radiators and heat vents dry the plant out quickly.
- Too much or too little water. Yellowing lower leaves usually mean overwatering; wilting usually means it's too dry.
- Not enough light. A dark corner leads to slow leaf drop over a few weeks.
Are poinsettias poisonous to pets?
Poinsettias have a scarier reputation than they deserve. The ASPCA lists them as mildly irritating to cats and dogs: eating the leaves can cause drooling or an upset stomach, but serious problems are rare. Still, keep the plant out of reach of pets that like to chew. If you'd rather avoid any risk, the Christmas cactus is non-toxic to cats and dogs. If you think your pet has eaten a plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
How do you keep a poinsettia after the holidays?
- Winter: Keep watering and give it bright light. The colored bracts will slowly fade, which is normal.
- Spring (around April): Cut the stems back to about 6–8 inches, repot into fresh soil if it's crowded, and start feeding monthly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
- Summer: Pinch back new growth once or twice to keep the plant bushy. It can spend summer outdoors in light shade once nights stay above 60°F.
How do you get a poinsettia to turn red again?
Poinsettias change color in response to long nights. Starting around the beginning of October, give the plant about 14 hours of complete darkness every night for 8–10 weeks: put it in a closet or cover it with a box from early evening until morning, then return it to bright light during the day. Even a little light at night can interrupt the process. Keep watering as usual, and the bracts should start to color up by late November or December.
Do poinsettias make good gifts?
Yes. A poinsettia is the classic holiday plant, works for almost anyone, and stays colorful for weeks. Our Red Poinsettia ($55) arrives ready to display. Plants ship within 3–10 days of ordering, so order by mid-December for delivery before the holidays. For more ideas, see our holiday flower and plant gift guide and traditional Christmas flowers and plants, or browse the holiday plants collection.
Frequently asked questions
How long do poinsettias last?
With good care, the colored bracts usually last six to eight weeks, often into February. The plant itself can live for years as a houseplant.
Should I mist my poinsettia?
Occasional misting can help in very dry homes, but a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants is more effective. Don't let water sit on the bracts.
Can poinsettias go outside?
Not in winter in most of the U.S. They're damaged by cold below about 50°F. They can go outside in summer in light shade once nights stay above 60°F.
Why are the edges of my poinsettia's leaves turning brown?
Usually dry air or uneven watering. Move it away from heat sources and water more consistently.
Are white and pink poinsettias cared for the same way?
Yes. All poinsettia colors need the same light, water and temperature, and the same darkness routine to rebloom.
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