Happy Poinsettia Day! How to Select and Care for a Poinsettia

This is a good time of year to pick out a Poinsettia for you or for a friend. Poinsettias are different, beautiful and affordable — and they don’t have any calories! šŸ™‚ Sometimes, you can buy 3 for $10 on sale. Guys like them, too! Think about giving one as a colorful holiday surprise to anyone who needs a lift or as a way of saying thank you.

Here’s how to pick out a good one: the center little yellow-green nubs are the flowers (the red “petals” are actually leaves). These should be closed, they’ll open eventually. Skip a plant that has curling, yellow, or dead leaves.

Don’t let the plant get cold on the way home. Unfortunately, you have to take the pretty wrapping off the plant pot, as you don’t want the poinsettia to stand in water and get wet feet. If the soil feels dry to the touch you will need to water it. Take the plant to the sink and gently run water into the soil until it pours out of the drainage holes. Drain well. Place on a water proof plate and situate the plant near a sunny window away from direct heat and cool drafts. Check soil daily for dryness.

Poinsettias are not poisonous, but they’re also not cat food, so if you have pets at home, you may want to purchase the convincing-looking artificial ones.

Check out this video for more tips…

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