Horticulture and the holidays

Find a bright, sunnywindow to sit them in during the winter months.

Onlywater your poinsettiawhen the surface soil feels dry. Remove the foil wrapping so that is can properly drain. Do not overwater.

Poinsettias, typically a holiday flower, are a staple in households this time of year, contrary to the fact that they are considered a tropical plant. Upstate New York (and much of the country) is certainly NOT tropical, especially this time of year, so, what do you do if you are gifted a poinsettia? How do you keep it alive for months to come?

Here are a few steps to helping your poinsettia thrive throughout the year:

1. Poinsettias love the sunshine! Find a bright, sunny window to sit them in during the winter months.

2. Avoid drafty, cold areas, which can cause the leaves to drop off early.

3. Poinsettias love to be warm! Keeping the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees during the day is best, but they can tolerate down to around 60 degrees at night. Remember, poinsettias are tropical!

4. Only water your poinsettia when the surface soil feels dry. Remove the foil wrapping so that is can properly drain. Do not overwater.

A few other facts about these lovely holiday flowers: They are not actually poisonous. Yes, your cat may get an upset stomach from eating the leaves and petals, but that is because it isn’t meant to be consumed. Keeping your pets away from the plant is ideal, even so. The white, sticky sap can cause irritation. If you touch the sap, you should wash your hands immediately. Poinsettias come in many colors, such as, white, red, pink and varicolored shades. It is difficult to get your poinsettias to bloom again, even for the most experienced horticulturist.

Cherish the time you have with it this season.

By following the above tips, you should be able to get a few extra months out of your beautiful poinsettia in 2020. If you have further questions about how to keep your poinsettia thriving through the year, please feel free to contact us at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County (315)6843001 or at 100 Eaton Street, Morrisville. Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year!