HOUSEPLANT TO ADD SOME FESTIVE CHEER

IN THE run-up to Christmas, we are expected to snap up eight million poinsettias, making it our most popular seasonal houseplant. A staple part of celebrations since the 1960s, poinsettias are grown for their colourful, leaf-like bracts that surround tiny yellow flowers.

Sadly, some plants will flag the moment they enter your house and others will be scrapped before the New Year. To ensure they thrive, it’s important to start with a healthy specimen and to place it in the right location. Poinsettias aren’t too needy – careful watering and feeding will keep them happy.

When buying poinsettias, pick plants that are displayed in a warm, sheltered environment. Ignore those sitting in the foyer of DIY stores as they are likely to lose their leaves due to low temperatures and draughts. As a further safeguard, make sure they are wrapped up warmly before you leave the shop.

Poinsettias don’t need a massive amount of light and you should avoid putting them too close to heaters or radiators, because the warmth will dry out compost, resulting in bracts fading and leaves dropping.

Give plants a good soaking, allowing the compost to dry out before watering again. Roots can rot if sitting in a puddle of water, so place pots on saucers or drip trays and remove any excess liquid. Add a few drops of liquid houseplant food every week to keep the plant’s colour.