3 important tips to keep your poinsettia blooming

The more light, the better. In order for the poinsettia to maintain their flowers and leaves, they still need light to complete photosynthesis. If you can't keep your plant in constant light, move it to a sunny window when you aren't at home.

Do not over-water. When poinsettias are sold in pots covered with foil or plastic, these covers tend to not have drainage holes, causing water to set at the bottom of the pot. Water with a cup or two of water a week. If the plant looks dry and you have recently watered it, most likely it is actually too wet.

Keep temperatures stable. Poinsettias aren’t too picky about temperatures but maintain temperatures between a low of 5 degrees or maximum 25 degrees C. . Keep the plant out of drafts and away from heaters.

If you want to try something interesting, here's a challenge for you. Try taking it outside for the summer!

Once the poinsettia has dropped its leaves, cut the stems back to 4 to 6 inches high. Wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 15 C. before transplanting it. The location where the plant is installed should have good drainage and receive full sun.

When the plant has become established, begin fertilizing and watering it on a regular basis.

To prevent it from becoming tall and scraggly, poinsettias growing outdoors require regular pruning around every two months. Pinching the tips of new growth will create a much bushier plant with smaller flower bracts while thinning the branches without pinching will produce larger flower bracts.

If you want your bracts to turn a luscious red during the next holiday season, your poinsettia needs to be planted in a spot that stays completely dark for 12 to 14 hours every night starting in October. Of course in our climate, that will mean that the plant has be come back indoors.

If this isn’t possible, cover the plant with a light-blocking material at night. Because poinsettias are very sensitive to frost and tend to only thrive in hardiness zones from nine to 11, keep the poinsettia growing in a container so it is easier to move it back indoors during the winter months.

These beautiful plants inspire the joy of Christmas. Enjoy!