November 28, 2025 – Poinsettias are everywhere! Nurseries, garden centers, even grocery stores are now selling these plants for Christmas color and decorations. These plants are famous for their bright red foliage, and make a great Christmas display of holiday cheer. Although we are used to seeing poinsettias as red plants, they come in many varieties and colors. The “leaves” are actually called “bracts”, and the “flower” is a small cluster in the center of the plant.
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America, and are perennial plants in Zones 9-11. Unfortunately for Hopkins County, we are a Zone 7 area, and poinsettias will not survive our winters outside, but can be grown indoors.
Anyone who wants to keep their Christmas poinsettia alive through the winter can place the plant in a window that gets bright, indirect sunlight, avoid drafty areas, and keep the temperature constant around 65-75 degrees. Do not feed poinsettias while blooming. After the blooming period, poinsettias need a little liquid all-purpose fertilizer monthly, applied at about ½ the recommended rate. Water lightly when the top of the soil is dry, and try to keep the soil moist, but not wet.
Be aware that the sticky, white sap from the plant can cause skin irritations and rash. Wash hands well after handling the plant.
To get poinsettia bracts (leaves) to change color is not a quick process! The bracts naturally change color when the days become shorter and the plant receives less sunlight. To simulate nature and “trick” the plant, at the end of September begin to put the plant in total darkness for 16 hours everyday, with the remaining 8 hours in a bright, sunny window. Then at Thanksgiving, stop the total darkness treatment, and put the plant in a window with indirect sunlight. Soon, the bracts will change color in time for Christmas!
