Nothing says traditional Christmas quite like a poinsettia plant. Their lush red (white) velvet blooms bring joy to everyone during the holiday season. First and foremost how do you really pronounce poinsettia? Most people ask…. and if they don’t, they probably should. Do NOT (Please don’t. Really we beg you) pronounce this precious plant as a four-syllable word. And please do NOT pronounce the “i” at the end. This is like hearing nails down a chalkboard! Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, how do you care for these gorgeous plants you’ve recently adopted.

Here’s how:

Carefully remove the sleeve (if there is one) without breaking any flower stems. They are very fragile! Place your plant in a bright light location, possibly near a window (not too close to catch cold or burn from the sun). Poinsettias survive best in room temperatures. Make sure you avoid drafty areas, especially near doors and near heaters or fireplaces. Also keep children and pets away from your plants (sap may cause contact dermatitis or vomiting if ingested). Water your plant and saturate the soil, allow your plant to dry in between watering, just before they start to wilt. If you want your poinsettia to live year round – cut back foliage if needed. Repot in spring with a well-draining potting mix. Late fall, switch to a bloom fertilizer and in 10-12 weeks it will bloom again- sometime in December thru February.