Plant expert Sven Verlinden with the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources says keeping poinsettias vibrant starts with bright light, cool temperatures and careful watering only when the top inch of soil is dry. (WVU Extension Photo)
West Virginia University plant expert Sven Verlinden, an associate professor in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, says its possible to keep poinsettias healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season with a few simple tips.
Quotes:
“You may find that poinsettias can come in different colors other than the traditional red, like pink, white or green — this is because of mutation breeding. The bright red part of the poinsettia isn’t actually the flower, its modified leaves known as bracts. The tiny yellow buds in the center are the true flowers.
“One of the most important factors for poinsettias is that they need lots of light. The best place to put a poinsettia after you buy it is a bright and cool place in the house — maybe by a north or west-facing window. Around 60-65 degrees is the ideal temperature, but regular indoor temperatures, around 70-72 degrees, are perfectly fine. If you're picking up or gifting poinsettias this holiday season, start your car before transporting them, as extreme cold can cause the plants to droop or drop leaves.
“Poinsettias are originally from a semi-arid region of Mexico, so they do not like to be wet. Every three or four days, they should be watered. They can easily get overwatered, so that’s one of the things to really pay attention to.
“Like using a toothpick to see if a cake is done or not, you can stick your finger in the soil of the poinsettia to feel if it’s still damp. This is a great indicator of whether or not it’s time to water your poinsettias. Only water them when the top inch of soil has dried out completely.
“There’s a very long tradition of viewing poinsettias as symbolic plants, dating back to their early use in holiday and cultural celebrations. The Aztecs first used the poinsettia for religious, ceremonial, medicinal and dye purposes. The poinsettia wasn’t introduced in the United States until the 1820s by Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador in Mexico.
“Poinsettias were made popular as a holiday tradition by a very large greenhouse in California called Ecke Ranch. They first grew tall poinsettias to be used as cut flowers, not as a potted plant. Then they developed new varieties that could grow a lot smaller and fuller, ideal for use in pots. To popularize the plant, they sent poinsettias to TV studios nationwide during the holiday season.” — Sven Verlinden, associate professor, WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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an/12/16/25
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