Euphorbia pulcherrima
Poinsettia
In the wild, Euphorbia pulcherrima grows in Mexico as a shrub or small semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 4 metres tall. However, most people are more familiar with growing these as houseplants over the winter festive period and are admired for their brightly coloured bracts which are usually red, but many hybrids are now available in yellow, cream, pink and lemon. Quite often, they are grown as annuals and discarded once the leaves have fallen but technically they are perennial and with a little care you can keep them going all year and the bracts will colour up again the following year. They need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts and a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). They can be grown outdoors and much warmer climates all year round.
Contributed by @ellenmarygardening
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Partial shade
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Very little water
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Not Frost hardy
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Light and free draining
Common name
Poinsettia
Latin name
Euphorbia pulcherrima
type
Perennial
family
Euphorbiaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Partial shade
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Frost
Not Frost hardy
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Soil
Light and free draining
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Water
Very little water
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
0.30 M
0.60 M
Euphorbia pulcherrima
In the wild, Euphorbia pulcherrima grows in Mexico as a shrub or small semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 4 metres tall. However, most people are more familiar with growing these as houseplants over the winter festive period and are admired for their brightly coloured bracts which are usually red, but many hybrids are now available in yellow, cream, pink and lemon. Quite often, they are grown as annuals and discarded once the leaves have fallen but technically they are perennial and with a little care you can keep them going all year and the bracts will colour up again the following year. They need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts and a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). They can be grown outdoors and much warmer climates all year round.
Flowering
From Early Winter TO Mid Winter
Flowering and bract colouring is initiated by short winter day-length, occurring naturally in early to mid-winter. So from late autumn onwards, plants should be put in a dark room after twelve hours of daylight and protected from artificial light sources. Plants need a constant temperature of around 18°C (55°F) to colour up well, so make sure they do not get too cold.
Propagation by cuttings
From Late Spring TO Late Spring
Poinsettias can be propagated by softwood cuttings in late spring, making sure you wear gloves, as the milky sap can be an irritant. Use Bio-rooter.
Planting for a Second Year
From Late Spring TO Late Autumn
When the leaves have fallen cut back the stems to leave stumps 4 inches high. The compost should be kept almost dry and the pot placed in a mild, shady position. In late spring, water and repot the plant replacing the compost with three parts John Innes No 3 to one part grit. Continue watering and shoots will soon appear. Feed regularly and remove some of the new growth to leave 4 or 5 strong stems. The prunings can be used as cuttings. From early autumn, careful light control is essential. Cover with a black polythene bag from early evening to the next morning. Total darkness for 14 hours. Continue this routine for 8 weeks then treat normally.
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