Tips for poinsettia care

Thursday, December 12, 2013

What to look for and proper care

One of the most popular ways to decorate and add festive color this time of the year is with poinsettias and proper care will keep the plants healthy throughout the holiday season.

“Poinsettias arrived in the United States from Mexico in the early 1800s and were red in color,” said Mike Schnelle, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension floriculture specialist. “However, today’s selections come in a variety of colors that will fit the color scheme of just about any holiday decorations. Many new varieties have been developed over the years, including those with marbled bracts and variegated foliage.”

When shopping for the perfect plant, select the one with the most blooms. Look for dark green plants and foliage from the pot’s rim up to the showy bracts. The bracts should be well expanded and colorful. In addition, the plant should not show any signs of wilting, which may be an indication of root rot or chilling injury. To ensure maximum longevity, consumers should purchase their poinsettias from a business that specializes in greenhouse plants.

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