How to Make Your Poinsettia Rebloom in Christmas

Are you interested in learning how to make your poinsettia rebloom for Christmas? It involves a bit of patience and diligence, but with the right timing of light and darkness, you can easily have a houseplant that brightens up just in time for the holidays.

Since the early 1800s, poinsettias have been considered the quintessential holiday plant and have become a symbol of Christmas. However, most people throw their poinsettias out after the holidays, only to buy a new one the following year. However, with proper care, you can have the same poinsettia rebloom year after year.

There are multiple benefits to keeping the same poinsettia. First of all, you’ll save money by not repurchasing these plants every single year. You also get the benefit of having a beautiful plant year-round instead of just a few weeks.

To have your poinsettia bloom again next year, you will need to start prepping the plant as soon as the holidays are over. Treat your poinsettia like it is a year-round houseplant instead of just a holiday plant. By caring for your poinsettia properly throughout the year, you are setting it up for a great reblooming success for next Christmas.

Caring for Your Poinsettia After Christmas

Your poinsettia’s needs will vary depending on the season. Knowing this is half the battle to keeping your poinsettia happy all year round. The following is everything you need to know about caring for your poinsettia after the holidays are over.

Winter and Early Spring

The first thing to do after the holidays is to remove the foil wrap around the plant. This foil is usually included on storebought poinsettias and, while it is attractive and decorative, it shouldn’t be left in place for more than a few days. It can cause the plant container to trap water, especially if it doesn’t have any holes. Like most plants, poinsettias need proper drainage to avoid water accumulation. This prevents issues, such as root rot, from occurring.

Place your poinsettia near a west- or south-facing window, where it will receive some sunlight during the day. A bit of filtered or indirect sunlight is ideal. Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry, as it is important to keep the soil moist throughout this phase.

Spring and Summer

Once the danger of frost has passed in late spring, you can move your poinsettia outside. Put it in a location where it will receive strong morning sunlight. Cut the plant’s stems to about six inches tall but make sure some leaves are left in place.

New shoots will begin to grow, and as they do, you can pinch them back to encourage a bushier, healthier growth. Water just as you did when the plant was growing indoors, but keep in mind that you may have to irrigate container-grown plants more frequently when they are placed outside. It’s hotter and windier, after all.

You may also need to fertilize, using an all-purpose fertilizer designed for container plants, about once every two weeks. The fertilizer will help stimulate new growth.

You can leave your poinsettia in the container – a good option for growers with unpredictable temperature swings – or you can plant it directly in the ground. The choice is yours. If you choose to keep it in a container, you may need to repot it in a larger vessel to further encourage its growth.

Prepping Your Poinsettia to Rebloom for Christmas

Once temperatures start to get cooler (around 40℉ at night), it’s time to bring your poinsettia back inside. This is the period of time that is most crucial for a poinsettia to survive and bloom during another Christmas.

In fall, poinsettias need 14 hours of continuous darkness and 10 hours of bright light. Because of this, it’s not a good idea to put your poinsettia in a frequently used living area. You need a spot where people will not turn on lights, not even for a brief period of time. Even things as seemingly small as lights from car headlights or the television can throw things off.

Your poinsettia should be kept in these lighting conditions for about two months. After this cycle, the colored bracts will start to appear. Keep in mind that the flower color might differ from what you purchased since some poinsettias are colored or dyed. Keep watering and fertilizing as you did during the rest of the growing season.

Follow these tips, and you should have a poinsettia that reblooms just in time for Christmas. Successful care of your poinsettia ensures that your plant will thrive and bloom during the holidays for years to come.