Poinsettia Pointers

Poinsettias are waiting for you to bring them home everywhere you go this holiday season. From the grocery store to the department store, these blooming beauties are so prevalent that you'd think they're one of the easiest houseplants you could care for. Not exactly. But you can ensure the useful life of your poinsettia plant with these tips.

As far as houseplants go, poinsettias are a little bit on the finicky side and they do require specific care to thrive. Here are some basics to keep your plant happy this holiday season:

• They prefer natural light; near a south-facing window is best. Provide your plant with a minimum of six hours of bright indirect sunlight daily.


• Water thoroughly when you bring the plant home. Remove the foil and drench it in the sink until water seeps through the drainage holes. After the initial watering, be stingy and water only when soil feels dry to the touch.


• Feed plants with a dry or liquid fertilizer within a few days of getting it home.


• As with any houseplant, keep poinsettias away from the fireplace, wood stoves, radiators and heat registers. This is for your safety as well as the plant.


• Room temperatures on the cooler side are ideal. Temperatures should not exceed 72 F during the day or 60 F at night.

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