In short: keep your poinsettia in bright, indirect light, away from air-con vents and hot windows. Water it when the top of the potting mix feels dry, and always let the excess drain away. Steady conditions are the secret: most problems, including falling leaves, come from sudden changes or soggy roots.
This guide covers light, watering, heat, leaf drop and what to do with your poinsettia after Christmas.
Meet the poinsettia
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are native to Mexico and Central America. The bright red "petals" aren't petals at all: they're bracts, which are coloured leaves. The true flowers are the small yellow-green clusters in the middle.
In the northern hemisphere they're winter plants. Here they arrive in the middle of summer, so a little extra care with heat and water goes a long way.
How much light does a poinsettia need?
Give it plenty of bright, indirect light, such as near a window that gets filtered sun. Avoid harsh afternoon sun through glass, which can scorch the bracts, and avoid dark corners, where the plant will drop leaves.
How to water a poinsettia
Watering is where most poinsettias come unstuck. - Check first. Push a finger into the potting mix. If the top 2 cm is dry, it's time to water. - Water thoroughly, until water runs from the drainage holes. - Let it drain. Empty the saucer, and remove or pierce any decorative foil wrap that traps water around the pot. - Don't keep it soggy. Constantly wet roots are a common cause of yellowing leaves and root rot.
In hot weather you may need to check every day or two, but always check before you water rather than watering on a schedule. Your poinsettia doesn't need a roster. It just needs you to look.
Keeping a poinsettia happy in Australian summer heat
- Keep it away from air-con vents, fans and draughty doorways. Blasts of cold or hot air stress the plant.
- Avoid hot spots such as sunny windowsills, the top of the fridge or near the oven.
- Aim for steady, comfortable room temperatures. Poinsettias don't like big swings.
- Shade it if it lives outdoors on a balcony or verandah over Christmas, and bring it in during heatwaves.
Why are my poinsettia leaves falling off?
A few dropped leaves soon after you bring a poinsettia home is common, because it's adjusting to a new spot. Ongoing leaf drop usually means something is off: - Too much or too little water. Check the mix before each watering. - Draughts or sudden temperature changes, for example from air-con or an open door. - Not enough light. Move it closer to a bright window.
Fix the likely cause and keep conditions steady. Healthy plants generally settle down.
Are poinsettias safe for pets?
Poinsettias are generally considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap can irritate the mouth and stomach if chewed, so keep the plant out of reach and call your vet if you're worried. Lilies are a much bigger danger for cats, so read why lilies are deadly to cats before choosing Christmas flowers for a cat household.
What to do with your poinsettia after Christmas
- Keep it as a pot plant. With the same light and watering care, it can stay green and healthy for months after the bracts fade.
- Plant it in the garden. In frost-free parts of Australia, poinsettias can be grown outdoors in a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil, where they can grow into a large shrub. Protect them from frost and strong wind.
- Prune it back in late winter or early spring to keep it bushy.
- About next year's colour: poinsettias colour up when nights are long. Garden plants in Australia tend to colour in the cooler months rather than at Christmas, so the red is unlikely to return by 25 December. If you'd like a festive poinsettia again next year, picking up a fresh one is the easy way.
Looking for a longer-lived green gift? Browse our indoor plants.
Pair it with a native wreath
A poinsettia on the table and a wreath on the door complete the look. Our step-by-step guide to making a native Christmas wreath uses Australian foliage that copes with summer heat. For more festive favourites, see Christmas flowers in Australia.
Bring home a festive poinsettia
Poinsettias make a lovely Christmas gift for anyone, from the host to the neighbour. Browse potted poinsettias and other festive picks in the Flowers Across Christmas collection, and order early, before the daily cut-off, in the week before Christmas.