Poinsettia Care Guide - What to Do After Christmas

Euphorbia pulcherrima, Christmas Star

Few Christmas plants brighten a winter home quite like the poinsettia. With its vibrant red bracts and lush green foliage, this festive favourite has become a traditional Christmas symbol worldwide. Whether you’ve just brought home a fresh poinsettia plant or received one as a Christmas gift, learning how to keep your poinsettia alive and thriving beyond the festive season is both rewarding and easier than you might think.

The poinsettia gets its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American diplomat and keen botanist who served as the first US Minister to Mexico in the early 1800s. During his time there, he became fascinated by a striking winter-flowering plant native to the warm regions of southern Mexico — Euphorbia pulcherrima, which means “the most beautiful euphorbia.”

In Mexico, the poinsettia was called Flor de Nochebuena or “Flowers of the Holy Night,” symbolising the Star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men. When brought to Europe, it soon became a festive favourite, featuring at every flower show and becoming a star of the horticultural world.

The actual flowers of the poinsettia are not the large, coloured bracts but the tiny yellow flowers clustered in the centre. These cyathia are surrounded by those famous coloured bracts that create the poinsettia’s dramatic display.

The bracts may look like flower petals, but they serve a different role—attracting pollinators to the true flowers. When the cyathia start to fade or drop, it signals the end of the flowering period. However, with good poinsettia care, you can encourage new growth and even trigger the plant to rebloom next year.

Poinsettias are sensitive to their surroundings. To keep your poinsettia alive, place it in a bright room but away from direct sunlight. Avoid placing it near a radiator or in a draught. Poinsettias don’t like sudden temperature changes, and anything below 13°C (55°F) can harm them.

Water your poinsettia only when the compost feels dry to the touch. Too much moisture leads to root rot, while too little causes leaf drop. Never leave your potted plant sitting in water or standing water. Always allow excess water to drain freely.

To keep your poinsettia healthy, feed it with a balanced fertiliser every few weeks during active growth. Avoid excess feeding during its rest period after flowering. This simple care advice helps the plant retain its green foliage and vibrant red bracts for as long as possible.

Poinsettias are tropical by nature, and draughts are one of their biggest enemies. Even brief exposure can cause leaf loss. Always keep your poinsettia away from draughts and radiators, as both can dry out the air and the compost too quickly.

Place your plant in a stable, warm position with steady light—perhaps on a side table or near a window that doesn’t get cold air from outside. Remember, poinsettias like consistency above all else. If your home tends to get dry in winter, mist the foliage lightly or place a tray of pebbles and water nearby to improve humidity.

When watering your poinsettia, use tepid water and let any excess drain. Never leave the pot standing in water, as this quickly leads to root rot. A little care to ensure the compost stays moist but not soggy makes a world of difference.

If your poinsettia starts to wilt, check the soil before adding more water—sometimes it’s not thirst but overwatering that causes drooping. Remember, poinsettias don’t like sitting in water or being waterlogged. Once the bracts begin to fade, reduce watering slightly to give the plant a rest before pruning and regrowth in spring.

Many people treat poinsettias as disposable Christmas plants, but with care, they can live for years. To keep your poinsettia alive after the festive season, prune it back in spring to about 10cm above the pot. Use clean scissors or secateurs to avoid damaging the stems, and be aware that the plant releases a white sap when cut.

Repot the poinsettia in fresh compost, feed your poinsettia with a balanced fertiliser, and keep it in bright, indirect light. By early summer, new shoots should appear. You can even move your poinsettia outdoors when the temperature stays above 15°C (59°F), but always bring it inside before the nights turn cool again.

If you want your poinsettia to flower again next Christmas, you’ll need to simulate its natural light cycle. In autumn, provide 14 hours of complete darkness each night for about eight weeks. You can place the plant in a cupboard or cover it with a box during the dark period, then return it to bright daylight for the remaining 10 hours.

This process triggers the colourful bracts to form, revealing the vibrant red-and-green combination we associate with Christmas. Keep your poinsettia warm during this period and avoid excess water. With patience and attention, your poinsettia will reward you with a fresh display for the festive season.

The poinsettia’s famous red bracts develop as the plant prepares to flower. These coloured bracts protect the tiny yellow flowers and help attract attention in nature. While traditional red is most common, breeders have created varieties with pink, white, cream, and even marbled hues.

To maintain those colourful bracts, ensure your plant receives bright, indirect light and stable warmth. Too little light or sudden temperature changes can cause the red bracts to fade or drop early. A steady environment helps the plant look vibrant and healthy throughout the festive season and beyond.

To keep your poinsettia compact and full, prune it each spring. Cut back to 10–15cm and remove any weak or leggy stems. The pruning process encourages bushier growth and better bract formation next season.

Be cautious when pruning, as the milky sap can irritate skin—wear gloves if needed. After pruning, keep the plant warm, and water it sparingly until new growth starts. Once you see fresh shoots, resume regular feeding and watering. This rejuvenation step is essential for growing poinsettias that last for years rather than weeks.

The poinsettia’s rise to fame as a Christmas flower owes much to the Ecke family of California. They developed techniques for producing compact, colourful poinsettias ideal for indoor display. Thanks to their horticultural innovation, the plant became the centrepiece of countless homes and festive displays worldwide.

Today, the poinsettia remains one of the most popular indoor plants during the festive season, celebrated in countless garden centre displays and RHS flower shows each winter. Its enduring appeal lies in its combination of beauty, history, and seasonal joy.

With patience and the right poinsettia care, your Christmas poinsettia can transform from a seasonal ornament into a thriving, long-term house plant. It’s a reminder that festive joy doesn’t have to end when the decorations come down.

Poinsettias like warmth, light, and gentle care. Keep your poinsettia in a stable environment, water sparingly, and prune yearly to encourage new growth. With these simple steps, you’ll have a healthy poinsettia alive and glowing long after the festive season ends.

Poinsettias always feel like the moment Christmas truly arrives. There’s something special about seeing those bold red bracts glowing against the winter light, especially when you’ve chosen a plant that’s been grown well and cared for properly. Over the years, I’ve found that most problems come down to simple things like a cold draught or a heavy hand with the watering can, so I always remind people to treat poinsettias a bit like a guest who prefers consistency and comfort. Once you understand what they enjoy, they’ll reward you with colour long after the tree is down. It’s a little bit of festive magic that lasts well into the New Year.

Q: What is a poinsettia, and why is it such a popular Christmas plant?

A: The poinsettia plant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is one of the most beloved Christmas plants thanks to its vibrant red bracts that surround its tiny yellow flowers, or cyathia. Native to Mexico and Central America, it was introduced to the West by Joel Roberts Poinsett in the 19th century. The poinsettia belongs to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and is often called the Christmas star or flower of the holy night. Its colourful bracts, frequently mistaken for petals, make it a traditional Christmas flower symbolising warmth, celebration, and goodwill during the festive season.

Q: How do I care for my poinsettia plant indoors?

A: Poinsettia care is simple once you know what they need. These indoor plants like warmth, light, and a balanced moisture level. Place your poinsettia plant in bright, indirect sunlight and keep the compost slightly moist — never soggy. Water your poinsettia only when the top of the compost feels dry to the touch, allowing any excess water to drain away. Avoid sitting or standing in water, as this can lead to root rot. Poinsettias don’t like cold draughts or being placed near a radiator, so choose a sheltered spot. With proper care, your poinsettia will stay healthy and colourful throughout Christmas.

Q: Why are the leaves and bracts on my poinsettia turning yellow or falling off?

A: If your poinsettia has yellow leaves or is beginning to drop leaves, it’s usually reacting to stress from temperature changes, draughts, or overwatering. Poinsettias like a consistent, warm environment, away from draughts and radiators. Always check the compost — it should feel slightly damp, not wet. Sitting in water can cause root rot, while dry air can lead to wilting. Once the plant adjusts to your home and receives steady care, new green foliage and healthy red bracts will form again, keeping your poinsettia alive and beautiful.

Q: How can I keep my poinsettia alive after Christmas?

A: To keep your poinsettia alive beyond the holidays, reduce watering slightly after the festive period and keep it in a bright location. In spring, prune the poinsettia plant back to around 15cm to encourage new growth. Feed your poinsettia every two weeks during the growing season to support strong stems and healthy leaves. As autumn approaches, give your plant 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each day for about 6 weeks to trigger reblooming. With steady care, your Christmas poinsettia can develop vibrant red bracts again, ready to bloom for the next festive season.

Q: Is the poinsettia plant poisonous or harmful to pets?

A: The poinsettia produces a milky sap, which is characteristic of the spurge family. While often believed to be highly toxic, the sap can cause mild skin irritation or stomach upset if eaten, but it’s rarely dangerous. It’s best to keep the plant out of reach of pets and children to prevent contact. When pruning, wear gloves to avoid contact with the sap. Always wash your hands afterwards. Treated with respect, the poinsettia plant is perfectly safe to enjoy indoors as a festive decorative plant.

Q: Can I grow poinsettias outdoors in the UK?

A: As poinsettias are tropical, they’re not hardy enough to survive outdoors in the UK. The poinsettia plant prefers warm, humid conditions similar to its native environment in Mexico and Central America. However, you can place it outside in the summer months once temperatures consistently stay above 55°F (about 13°C), ensuring it remains sheltered from direct sunlight and cold. Always bring your potted plant indoors before autumn frosts return to keep your poinsettia alive and thriving for next Christmas.

Q: What should I look for when buying a healthy poinsettia?

A: When choosing a healthy poinsettia, look for dark green leaves with even colouration and bright, colourful bracts that are firm to the touch. The centre of the bracts should have tight yellow flower buds, showing that the plant is fresh. Avoid any with wilting leaves, cold damage, or yellowing foliage. The plant should look full, balanced, and free from pests. When you get your poinsettia home, protect it from the cold — a short trip in freezing air can cause shock. A little care when buying ensures your Christmas flower stays cheerful and colourful for weeks.

Q: Where can I buy a poinsettia plant?

A: You can find beautiful poinsettia plants at most garden centres, florists, and supermarkets during the festive season. They’re also widely available from trusted online garden retailers, offering a variety of traditional red, white, or pink cultivars. Look for poinsettias grown in a greenhouse at a garden centre, as these are usually well cared for and in perfect condition. Whether you prefer shopping in person or online, there’s an ideal poinsettia waiting to brighten your home this Christmas.