Poinsettia Care

This article is the second of a two part series on Poinsettias.

Now that you have had your poinsettias in the home for the holidays here are some tips to help you extend the life of your plant so you can enjoy the brillant colors next year. Care Tips:

 

  • After the holidays keep the poinsettias plants in indirect sun and water them regularly. 

  • In the spring, place your plants outdoors in an area where they can enjoy the warmth of spring after outside night temperatures averaging 55 degrees or above.

  • In late March or early April, cut the poinsettia plant back to about 8 inches in height.

  

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Tips to take good care of the Poinsettia

This article is the first of a two part serieson Poinsettias.

 

 

The plant we know today as the poinsettia has a long and interesting history. Did you know that this beautifulplant that you place in your home during the holidays was once used as a fever medicine? Native to Central America, the plant flourished in an area of Southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon. The ancient Aztecs had a name for this plant found blooming in the tropical highlands during the short days of winter -cuetlaxochitl. Cuetlaxochitl literally means - The flower of leather petals.

 

 

 

The plant was not merely used as decorative, the Aztecs put the plant to practical use. From its bracts they extracted a purplish dye for use in textiles and cosmetics. The milky white sap, today called latex, was also made into a preparation to treat fevers.

 

 

 

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