At a glance guide to selecting and caring for your Christmas poinsettia:
- Select a plant with a minimum of five heads, as it will give a longer lasting display.
- Ensure that the poinsettia is sleeved before taking it outside to get it home with you.
- Once you get your poinsettia home, you should place it in a warm, draught-free spot. Not on a windowsill where the curtains are closed at night.
- Let the compost dry out between watering and if it’s in a saucer then make sure you empty this out, too.
- You could also feed your poinsettia once a week with houseplant feed.
- If you want to make the plant colour up again next Christmas, then in June trim it down by about half and pot it up using a multi-purpose compost.
- Keep it in natural light from the end of September onwards and make sure you don’t expose it to any artificial lighting, which could prevent the plant from colouring up again in time for next Christmas.
For more expert advice, please visit your nearest GCA garden centre member, find it here.