MSU Extension Gardening in Michigan

Having a poinsettia plant during the winter is a tradition for many people. You may ask yourself if it's possible to get the plant to bloom again next year. It is! Poinsettias require specific light conditions to allow the plant to make flowers again. This requires some management to get it to bloom for the holidays.

Poinsettias have been considered a holiday plant in the United States since the 1820s. Its botanical name is Euphorbia pulocherrima, and it is a member of the Euphorbia family. Like many Euphorbias, it has a white milky sap that can cause skin irritation.

The common name "poinsettia" is derived from the name of the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett brought cuttings to the United States in the 1820s and introduced them to plant enthusiasts. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America. In its native range, the plant is a perennial shrub or small tree which can grow up to 13 feet tall. These wild plants have similar but less exaggerated features compared to the cultivated varieties that can be purchased in stores.

The parts of the plant that we often call flowers are technically "bracts" surrounding the tiny round flowers. Bract is a scientific term for a modified leaf. These bracts differ in color from the other leaves on a poinsettia. Various bract colors in today's market include red, pink, white and green. These colors can be in solid, speckled or even marbled patterns. In addition, some are dyed artificial colors or covered in glitter before being sold. These are often turquoise, blue, purple or vivid green. Eventually, these plants will lose their colored coatings as they grow new bracts.

Proper care is crucial for the longevity of your poinsettia's blooms. If the pot your poinsettia is in has a decorative foil or plastic covering, it's essential to remove it to prevent water from accumulating and causing root rot. Poinsettias thrive when placed near a west or south window, receiving some sun during the day. Remember to water only when the surface of the potting soil becomes dry.

Your poinsettia should be moved outdoors during summer so that it can receive adequate light. You can move your plant outdoors when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is usually around the end of May. Find a location outdoors where the plant will receive strong morning sunlight. The plant will stretch in low-light environments, resulting in weak branches and a top-heavy plant. If your plant has not received consistent light indoors, you may need to slowly transition it into the sun so it does not burn. This can be done by placing it in partial sun for short periods and increasing the amount of light over one to two weeks. Remember, this is not a cold hardy plant. Temperatures below 50 F may damage the plant, and freezing temperatures will likely kill it.

After moving the plant outdoors, cut the stems back to about 5 to 6 inches and make sure some leaves remain. As new shoots grow, the tips of the stems can be pinched periodically to make the plant bushier. This involves clipping the very tip of the stem. Using a balanced fertilizer, water and fertilize the poinsettia to stimulate growth. Fertilizer can be applied every three to four weeks following the label recommendation for indoor plants.

Repot the plant in the late summer with fresh potting media. You may need a bigger container. This needs to be done before nighttime temperatures begin to drop. When night temperatures reach 50 F, bring your plant back indoors. Find a location where the poinsettia will get 14 hours of continuous, uninterrupted darkness and 10 hours of bright light. Some varieties may need as little as 10 hours of darkness, but 14 hours ensures rapid bloom initiation for all varieties. Timed lights can be helpful for this process. Some people will move the plant into a dark room or closet. Others will put it under a cardboard box for 14 hours. If you turn on the light, even for a brief time, it can affect the production of flower buds. Small amounts of light, such as a streetlight, car headlights, or the light from a TV can interfere with the production of blooms. Continue this cycle for up to two months until you begin to see colored bracts appear. If your poinsettia was colorized or dyed, the flower color will differ from when it was purchased. While it would be very cool, purple with glitter does not exist in nature.

It can take significant work to get another year out of a poinsettia. You may decide that this process isn't for you, and that's OK. You may choose to buy a new plant instead of reblooming your current one. Still, if you're feeling adventurous, reblooming can be a fun activity!