Poinsettia Care: Keep Your Christmas Star Looking Its Best
The poinsettia (Weihnachtsstern) is Germany's favourite Christmas plant. Learn how to water it, where to place it and why it hates cold draughts.
No plant says "Christmas" in Germany quite like the poinsettia. Its German name, Weihnachtsstern, means Christmas star, and from November onwards you will find it on windowsills, office desks and dining tables everywhere. Poinsettias are a lovely gift, but they have a reputation for losing their leaves quickly. With the right care, yours can look good well into the new year.
- Light: bright, but no harsh midday sun.
- Temperature: normal room temperature; avoid anything below about 15 °C.
- Water: only when the top of the soil is dry; never leave it standing in water.
- Enemies: cold draughts, radiators and overwatering.
The coloured "petals" are actually leaves
The bright red, pink or white parts of a poinsettia are not petals but bracts, special leaves that change colour. The real flowers are the tiny yellow buds in the centre. When you buy or receive a poinsettia, look for closed or just-opening yellow buds; that is a sign the plant will stay colourful for longer.
Where to put your poinsettia
Poinsettias come from Mexico, so they like warmth and light. A bright windowsill without direct midday sun is ideal, at a steady room temperature. Keep them away from:
- radiators and heating vents, which dry them out;
- open windows and draughty doors, which chill them;
- cold window panes, where the leaves can get too cold at night.
How to water a poinsettia
Overwatering is the most common mistake. Check the soil with your finger: water only when the top feels dry. Use room-temperature water, water moderately, and pour away anything left in the saucer or decorative pot after about 15 minutes. In warm, dry rooms, the plant may need water every few days; in cooler rooms, less often.
What goes wrong, and how to fix it
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves drop suddenly | Cold or a draught | Move to a warmer, sheltered spot |
| Leaves yellow and droop | Too much water | Let the soil dry out; empty the saucer |
| Leaves wilt and feel dry | Too little water or a radiator nearby | Water thoroughly; move away from heat |
| Bracts fade early | Too little light | Move to a brighter window |
Can a poinsettia turn red again?
Yes, though it takes commitment. After Christmas, keep the plant as a green houseplant and prune it back in spring. From early autumn, it needs about 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness every night, for around eight weeks, to colour up again. Many people simply enjoy the plant for one season, and that is fine too.
Poinsettias, pets and children
Poinsettias have a milky sap that can irritate the skin, mouth and stomach. They are not as dangerous as often claimed, but it is still best to keep them out of reach of pets and small children. See pet-safe flowers.
Poinsettias as a gift
A poinsettia is a lovely Advent host gift, a thank-you for a neighbour or a festive touch for a colleague's desk. Browse our Christmas collection, which includes red, white and pink poinsettias. For more festive ideas, read Christmas and Advent flower and gift ideas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Only when the top of the soil feels dry. Water moderately and pour away any water left in the saucer. Too much water is the most common cause of problems.
Usually because of cold, draughts or overwatering. Poinsettias come from Mexico and dislike temperatures below about 15 °C.
In a bright spot without direct midday sun, at normal room temperature, away from radiators, open windows and draughty doors.
Their milky sap can irritate the mouth and stomach. They are less dangerous than often claimed, but keep them out of reach of pets and small children.
Yes, but it takes patience. From autumn, the plant needs around 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness every night for about eight weeks.
Red is the classic, but white, cream, pink and speckled varieties are also popular.
Shop related products
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