Wondering how to make your Christmas Flower last all year? Water them the Right Way and Keep Poinsettias Thriving Forever!
Small cup-shaped yellow blooms emerge from red, cream, and peachy leafy bracts during Christmas, but this houseplant can live long after the festivities. And it mostly comes down to water—here’s the right way to water poinsettias to keep them thriving forever!
How Often Should Poinsettias Be Watered
Native to Mexico, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are deciduous to evergreen shrubs that thrive in part shade and warm temperatures of 65-70 F (18-21 C) and above. They dislike being too dry or too wet but need just the right amount of water throughout to flourish.
One of the most popular potted plants to be sold around Christmas, poinsettias often come in foil wrappers that trap water. So, the first thing to do when you bring these holiday beauties home is to remove or poke holes into any covering around plant parts.
To get red bracts faster, they are usually kept root-bound by commercial growers, so when you get them, another thing you’ll have to do is never let the soil become completely dry, or the plant will wilt. When you do this, you should also aim not to water it too frequently. Otherwise, it’ll be the first of your plants to die from overwatering and root rot.
Poinsettias thrive in moist, well-draining soil. They cannot survive drying out nor tolerate wet feet, which leads to root rot. So, check the soil regularly with your finger, feeling about an inch below the surface. Water only if dry; if damp, wait a day or two.
Use tepid water, as hot or cold water can shock the plant. Pour it evenly over the soil until it drains from the pot’s bottom. If water collects in the saucer, empty it immediately.
Signs of Over and Underwatering in Poinsettias
How do you know if you’re watering it too much or too little? It’s simple. Overwatering can cause soft yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, or a mushy stem. On the other hand, underwatering may lead to brittle and dropping leaves, dry soil, and bracts losing color.
Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you adjust your watering routine accordingly.
Adjust Watering According to Season
After their bright holiday display, poinsettias go through dormancy from January, when they look dead and gone. With vegetative growth in summer and flowers during the short days of fall and winter, their needs differ with the changing months.
1. Winter Watering Routine in Festive Season
Poinsettias bloom at their peak in winter, so proper watering is crucial. Keep the soil slightly moist always, and check the moisture level regularly with your fingers. Use mildly lukewarm water to avoid shocking the roots, and pour it slowly until the water drains freely from the bottom.
Winter air can be dry, so to maintain humidity, you can keep its pot on a tray of water with pebbles in a way that water won’t touch the bottom of the pot directly, or use a humidifier, but avoid misting poinsettias!
2. Understand Spring as a Recovery Phase
As winter ends, poinsettias naturally shed those beautiful bracts, which signals the start of their resting phase. During this time, reduce watering and only water when the top two inches of soil appear dry.
Pro Tip: If your Poinsettia is young, trim the stems to about six inches tall to help the plant conserve energy. If you’ve got a big old plant, then cut it back only to the first leaf node. After pruning, water sparingly to prevent overhydration. See more pruning tips here!
If roots are crowded, repot the plant into a slightly larger container with fresh, well-draining soil. Remember, watering after repotting helps the plant settle into its new pot.
3. Summer Watering for Regrowth
In summer, poinsettias enter an active growth phase. This is when you must gradually increase watering as the plant produces new leaves. Still, ensure the soil dries out slightly between waterings.
When the weather is warm, you can even move it outside, but if the sun’s rays are too harsh and direct, consider moving the plant to a shaded outdoor area to encourage strong, healthy growth. However, watch out for rain—ensure the pot drains superbly well to avoid waterlogged soil. When it is outdoors, remember this plant cannot tolerate dips below 50 F (10 C) for long!
Pro Tip: Summer is also a good time to start feeding the plant with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer.
4. Fall Watering for Holiday Blooms
During fall, poinsettias begin preparing for their next bloom cycle. To support this process, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Consistency is key to encouraging bud development.
Watering routines should complement light exposure needs. During the light-control phase, when the plant needs 12-14 hours of darkness daily, slightly reduce watering to mimic natural blooming conditions.
Also, protect the plant from sudden temperature changes and drafts, as these can dry or stress the soil too quickly.
Important Year-Round Watering Tips
Poinsettias thrive in well-draining soil, so use a mix enriched with perlite or sand to prevent water from pooling. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to avoid root rot.
Water quality also matters—if your tap water contains high salts or minerals, the chances of salt buildup in the soil increase. Opt for filtered or rainwater. You can follow these tips for year-round poinsettia growth.
