Poinsettias are the best known of all Christmas flowers, but proper care is needed to ensure their longevity through the season.
“They’re extremely popular during the holidays because they are so showy and have such bright, pretty colors,” said Sherry Hulgan, floral designer and buyer for Holcomb’s Garden Center in Fort Oglethorpe. And, she said, if you know how to take care of them, they can be very long-lasting.
“With proper care, they will last into spring,” she said. “But you have to make sure where you put them. A lot of people will bring them home and put them on a table with no light from a window. They don’t like that. They are a tropical plant and love the sun.”
Here are more tips to ensure a colorful season of poinsettias.
1 Place your plant in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. If direct sun can’t be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain.
2 Provide room temperatures between 68 F and 70 F. Don’t place plants near cold drafts or excessive heat. Avoid placing plants near appliances, fireplaces or ventilating ducts.
3 Water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.
4 Always remove a plant from any decorative container before watering and allow the water to drain completely. Do not overwater.
5 Fertilize the plant after the blooms are spent, never while in bloom.
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6285.