DENVER — Poinsettias are native to Mexico. That's the first clue about how to care for them.
They need humidity. Our homes are very dry. Set the pots in a saucer filled with pebbles or gravel so that excess water will collect, evaporate and provide extra humidity. Poinsettias can also be grouped with other plants to raise humidity. Consider lining a basket with plastic to accommodate them. Mist the plants frequently.
Poinsettias will always drop leaves as they move from a humid greenhouse into your house. Don't make the mistake of overwatering them. Too much water will kill them. Remove the foil liner or poke holes in the bottom so that water can drain.
Too little water will kill them too. Poinsettias are grown in light potting soil that dries out quickly. Check the plants every few days. Avoid placing poinsettias near heat vents or fireplaces. Keep your plants in very bright light.
Poinsettias can be poisonous to pets although I've never had a problem.
It's possible to save and re-bloom a poinsettia next year. They bloom in response to the shortening of daylight hours. Starting in the fall, they can't get any light after sunset, not even from a lamp or streetlight. This isn't possible for most folks. Keep them as a foliage plant or compost them.
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