There’s no other plant like the poinsettia that is so quintessentially Christmas. But ask any local florist and they’ll be quick to tell you that it isn’t necessarily an easy plant to get to bloom and rebloom! This plant may be picky about what it likes and dislikes, but it’s sure to be beautiful in your home if you give it the proper care and attention.

Here at Chappell’s Florist in South Burlington, we’re here to give you some tips for poinsettia care right from our florist! Keep reading to learn more, and be sure to check out our holiday flower arrangements today, along with these poinsettia favorites at our local flower shop:

• Our Best Value Poinsettia
• Large Red Poinsettia
• Poinsettia and Fruit Basket
• Red Poinsettia - A Holiday Favorite
• Pink Poinsettia
• Poinsettia
• White Poinsettia

Fertilizer

Poinsettias should not be fertilized during the blooming period. If you do keep your poinsettia flower arrangement year-round, then florists recommend fertilizing the the spring every three to four weeks with a half-strength fertilizer.

Light

Poinsettias thrive from as much direct sunlight as you can offer. Place your poinsettia Christmas flowers near sunny windows (south-, east-, and west-facing windows are better for them than north-facing windows are).

Soil

According to our florist, a well-draining, loose, and peat-based potting soil is best for your poinsettia.

Temperature & Humidity

Poinsettias have a beautiful, coveted bloom. If you wish to keep the bloom as long as possible (and who doesn’t?), then a temperature of 65–75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal during the day. The temperature can safely drop to about 60 degrees at night, but beware of cold drafts or cold windows.

Humidity is also very beneficial for poinsettia flower arrangements. Winter is typically a dry season, so your poinsettia will need a lot of water (potentially daily) if it’s in direct light and your home is dry.

Water

Speaking of water, how much water does a poinsettia need? Most people actually hurt or kill their houseplants by loving them too much — i.e. giving them too much water. For your poinsettia, our florist recommends watering the plant whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. You should continue watering until water drains out the bottom; however, be careful to not let the plant sit in the water, which can cause a wilted plant.

History of the Poinsettia Plant

With a flower arrangement that is so representative of the Christmas holiday, we thought we’d delve into the history of and some fun facts about this plant:

• The Aztecs called poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitl.” its sap was used to control fevers and the modified leaves (bracts) were used to make red dye.
• Poinsettias couldn’t be grown in high altitudes, so Montezuma would have them brought in in caravans to present-day Mexico City.
• There are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias today.
• The Latin name of the plant is Euphorbia pulcherrima. “Poinsettia” comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a U.S. ambassador to Mexico who discovered the plant in Mexico and then introduced it to the U.S.

Order Poinsettias From Our Florist Today

We’re proud to serve clients not only in Burlington, but also in Williston, Shelburne, Charlotte, Colchester, UVM, and Winooski. We offer same-day flower delivery for orders received before 11:00 a.m., and our florist has poinsettias that are ready for you! Order today.