Should you feed a poinsettia?

Should you feed a poinsettia?

While you won’t be throwing those Christmas dinner leftovers to your plant, poinsettias do enjoy a little plant food from time to time to keep them looking their best. Any good quality all-purpose liquid plant food is suitable for feeding a poinsettia, although liquid or soluble food is by far the easiest to apply.

How do you keep a poinsettia alive at home?

To keep your poinsettia happy throughout the holiday season, place it in bright, indirect light. Water regularly so that the soil stays evenly moist; if the surface of the soil is dry to the touch, it’s time for a drink. But don’t let roots sit in excess water or they can start to rot.

Is it poisonous to touch a poinsettia?

Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash.

Do poinsettias like Miracle Gro?

Around the first of March, start fertilizing the poinsettia with a good balanced fertilizer. A water soluble fertilizer like Peter’s, or Miracle-Grow works well. At the end of March – the first of April cut the poinsettia back to about 6”-8”. Continue to water and fertilize regularly.

Should you fertilize poinsettias?

When to Fertilize Poinsettias. Know how to fertilize a poinsettia is as important as when. If you’re saving your poinsettia for reblooming, the plant will benefit from a dose of all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer in late March or early April. This is also time to give the plant a good pruning too.

How to care for poinsettias year round?

Proper watering is essential for year-round poinsettia health and beautiful holiday color. Poinsettias do best when their potting mix stays evenly moist. Overwatering leads to yellow leaves, while underwatering causes leaves to wilt and drop. Water your poinsettia whenever the surface of its potting mix grows dry to the touch.

How to take care of a poinsettia?

Poinsettia care begins with proper light, water, and temperature conditions. During the holidays, while in full bloom, they typically enjoy semi-cool, humid locations in bright, indirect light with plenty of moisture. Poinsettia plants should be watered thoroughly, taking care not to drown them by ensuring adequate drainage is available.

Are poinsettias a short day plant?

Poinsettia Pointers. Poinsettias are short- day plants native to the mountains of Mexico. In their native habitat, poinsettias begin initiating flowers when the days are approximately 14 hours long (or, more accurately, when the nights are about 10 hours long.) Poinsettias have become popular holiday gift plants.