Poinsettias actually hail from Mexico, specifically the tropical regions near the equator. Down there, it stays warm year-round and frost is basically unheard of. Because our winters can get pretty brutal, we have to take extra special care of these festive beauties to keep them happy.
Growing Poinsettias
Since poinsettias are so sensitive to the cold, they are usually kept as houseplants all year long. However, during the summer months, you can definitely move your stars out onto the balcony or patio. The key is finding that “Goldilocks” spot:
- Bright light, but no direct, scorching sun.
- A warm spot with temperatures between 65°F and 70°F.
- Absolutely no cold drafts.
Here’s a pro tip: when poinsettias hit garden centers in November, they’re often sitting in chilly hallways with doors opening and closing constantly. Plants stressed by those drafts will likely drop their leaves and die shortly after you get them home. If you find a healthy one, make sure it’s wrapped up well for the ride home. Even temperatures below 40°F can do some serious damage!
Summering Your Poinsettia
Even though these are tropical plants that love the heat, you still have to be careful about direct sunlight. If they are outside, make sure they have some shade during the heat of the afternoon. You can leave your poinsettia outdoors until the daytime temperatures start to dip in the fall. That’s your cue to bring it back inside to a warm room, where—with a little effort—it will start developing those gorgeous colorful bracts again.
How to Get Those Colorful Leaves Back
Once you bring the plant inside around October to escape the cooling weather, it’s time to trick it into blooming. Poinsettias are “short-day” plants, meaning they need a specific day/night rhythm to change color. For about 12 hours every day, the plant needs to be in a completely dark room or covered with a cardboard box. After about eight weeks of this routine, you’ll start to see those vibrant colors reappear. Just remember: keep them away from frost or chilly air during this time, or all that hard work might go to waste!
