Poinsettias are natives of Mexico. They also grow in Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, and parts of California as a perennial flowering shrub, reaching up to 10 feet tall! They tend to prefer bright light and warmer temperatures. North Raleigh Florist offers these tips for caring for your poinsettias.

Poinsettia Plants

When selecting a poinsettia, choose one with tightly clustered, small central flowers and crisp bright foliage.  To care for your poinsettias, the main things to remember are they do not like hot or cold drafts, they prefer bright indirect light, and the soil needs to stay moist. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly and water thoroughly. This can be every 2-3 days or once a week, depending on your home temperature, but do not let the pot stand in water. Leaf drop on poinsettias usually occurs when the plant is not in a bright enough location, or the soil is allowed to get too dry. The warm temperatures in most homes in the winter can make it a challenge to care for your poinsettias.

Large Poinsettia

Poinsettias are not poisonous as once reported! They do have a milky sap that can be mildly irritating to the skin or if ingested by anyone with a sensitivity to it. A child or animal would have to eat multiple plants to show any serious ill affects.  If you follow these reminders, your poinsettias will look great all through the season. Enjoy your poinsettia, and Happy Holidays from North Raleigh Florist!

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