There are many festive plants you can welcome into the home over the winter months. These include the Christmas cactus, amaryllis and jasmine. One popular plant is also the poinsettia, known for its striking red appearance.
While fairly simple to care for, positioning and watering can be tricky to get right throughout the cold months. Luckily, senior houseplant buyer Claire Bishop from Dobbies has shared the following tips for anyone who owns the plant or has been gifted one for Christmas.
Choose a bright spot
The expert said: “Finding the right place for your poinsettia is key. Poinsettias like a lot of light, so you should place them in a bright spot where they’ll get at least six hours of indirect sunlight per day.
“However, you should avoid direct sunlight as this could scorch the plant’s leaves. Being a tropical plant, poinsettias also like warmth, so you should keep them away from windows and other draughty spots as this could cause the plant’s flowers to drop.”
Watering your plant
This festive houseplant only needs watering when the soil is noticeably dry to the touch.
This will vary based on the temperature of your home, so your plant may require watering every few days or once a week, depending on its surroundings.
The expert said: “Poinsettias won’t thank you for waterlogged soil, so make sure they are planted in a pot with good drainage.
“They also like a humid environment, so a poinsettia’s leaves will benefit from regular misting, which should prevent them from drying out when you have your heating on in winter.”
Feeding your poinsettia
According to the plant expert, poinsettias will benefit from feeding to keep them “thriving long into the New Year”.
Claire recommended opting for monthly feeds using a liquid plant food.
