The Perfect Poinsettia

The image of the poinsettia that comes to mind is the fiery red plant we see everywhere at Christmas time. This year, we want to make sure you pick out the perfect poinsettia and enjoy it throughout the holidays. Consider the following tips and your poinsettia will positively pop with color all season long.

While the deep red poinsettias are classic favorites, today newer cultivars have produced a variety of different colors. Look for pink, cream, yellow, salmon, and marbled flowers to add a distinctive touch to your holiday décor.

When shopping for a poinsettia, consider the following:
• Dark green, dense, and plentiful foliage.
• Tightly-clustered buds to last throughout the holiday season.
• The smallest leaves surrounding the yellow buds to be full colored. If they’re still partially green, your plant will quickly lose its color.
• If the yellow buds in the center of the flower have started to drop off or have already shed pollen (look for tiny yellow grains), the plant is not fresh.
• Avoid plants with yellow, greenish-white, or sagging leaves. Plants with faded, torn, or discolored bracts (leaves beneath the flower) are not the best choices either.
• As with any plant, make sure your poinsettia is free from insects and diseases.
When you have chosen the perfect poinsettia, don’t leave it in your car while you continue shopping. An indoor plant that’s exposed to cold winds and temperatures below 50 degrees can be damaged or killed. Get the store to bag the plant, but be sure to remove any wrapping as soon as you get home.

Caring For Your Poinsettia
Poinsettias are easy to care for throughout the holidays. Just follow these simple rules:
• Light: Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight.
• Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65-70 degrees during the day with a drop to 60-65 degrees at night. The lower night temperatures help the poinsettias keep their brilliant color. Protect the plants from both cold and hot drafts from outside doors, heat registers, or appliances. Never let the plant be exposed to temperatures less than 55 degrees.
• Water: Poinsettias like moist, but not wet, soil. When the top of the soil becomes dry, add room temperature water to the plant. Allow the water to drain through the pot when watering, and then discard any excess water in the saucer. If the plant’s container was wrapped with decorative foil, be sure to remove the foil from the bottom of the container to allow water to drain through the plant. Overwatering the poinsettia and letting it sit in excess water are common mistakes that will kill the plant. If your poinsettia begins to wilt, too much or too little water could be the culprit. If the plant feels dry, add water immediately. If the container feels heavy and the soil is wet, allow the poinsettia to dry out before watering it again.

This “How-To” is provided as a service from Lowe’s, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse. The information is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Lowe’s assumes no liability for omissions, errors, or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.

Reprinted with permission from Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse. Visit Wake Forest’s Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse at 11800 Galaxy Dr.