How Do You Care For A Christmas Poinsettia Plant To Make It Re-Bloom Next Year?
It was only within recent years, during a conversation with a friend, that I learned that poinsettia plants can last longer than a few weeks during the Christmas season. I always assumed that when the leaves began dropping, the plant -like the Christmas season- was gone. After some research, I learned how to make my poinsettias last for several years. After the holiday season, your poinsettia plant will start to lose its leaves, bracts, and flowers. It will appear dead, and the natural inclination is to throw it away. Don’t. Instead, allow it to rest in its natural dormancy for several weeks. Resist the desire to water it. It doesn’t want a drink. It wants to rest. In late March or early April, or when your weather has passed the threat of a hard freeze, prune your plant back to about 8 inches in height. Pruning will encourage new growth. Resume a regular watering schedule, watering when the soil is dry to the touch. Use a balanced, good quality fertilizer. Some time in late May, you s
