Poinsettias at Christmas: How to Care for Them Now – and Get Them to Flower Again Next Year

Few plants say Christmas quite like the poinsettia. With their vibrant red, pink or cream bracts, they make a festive statement in homes across the UK. While many people treat poinsettias as a short‑term decoration, with the right care they can last well beyond Christmas – and even flower again next year.

Here’s our complete guide to caring for poinsettias this Christmas, plus step‑by‑step advice on encouraging them to re‑colour for next winter.

Christmas Care: Keeping Your Poinsettia Looking Its Best

Poinsettias are native to Mexico, so they appreciate warmth, light and consistent care.

🌿 Position

• Place your poinsettia in a bright spot with plenty of natural light.

• Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

• Keep it away from cold draughts, open doors, and radiators.

• Ideal temperature: 15–22°C.

💧 Watering

• Water only when the compost feels dry to the touch.

• Use lukewarm water and allow excess to drain away.

• Never let the plant sit in water – soggy roots are the quickest way to lose a poinsettia.

🌬 Humidity

• Poinsettias enjoy moderate humidity.

• If your home is very dry, mist lightly around the plant (not directly onto the bracts).

🌱 Feeding

• While in flower, feeding isn’t essential.

• From spring onwards, use a balanced houseplant feed every 2–4 weeks.

After Christmas: What to Do When the Colour Fades

By late winter or early spring, the colourful bracts will begin to fade and drop. This is completely normal.

• Reduce watering slightly.

• Once the plant looks tired, cut the stems back to around 10–15cm (4–6 inches).

• Move the plant to a bright, warm room to encourage new growth.

Spring & Summer Care

This is the recovery and growth phase.

• Repot in spring using fresh, well‑drained houseplant compost.

• Water regularly, allowing the top of the compost to dry out between watering.

• Feed every few weeks.

• In summer, poinsettias can be placed outdoors in a sheltered, warm position, but bring them back inside before temperatures drop below 12°C.

How to Get Your Poinsettia to Flower Again Next Christmas

This is the part that requires a little commitment – but it’s very rewarding!

Poinsettias are short‑day plants, meaning they need long periods of darkness to trigger their festive colour.

🌙 From Late September

For around 8–10 weeks:

• Give the plant 12–14 hours of complete darkness every day.

• This can be done by placing it in a dark cupboard or covering it with a box each evening.

• During the day, return it to a bright, warm position.

⚠️ Even small amounts of light during the dark period can stop the colour change, so consistency is key.

🎄 By December

With patience, you should see the bracts beginning to colour up again just in time for Christmas.

Common Problems & Tips

• Yellowing leaves – often caused by overwatering or cold draughts.

• Leaf drop – usually due to temperature stress or dry compost.

• Wilting – check roots aren’t waterlogged.

A Festive Favourite Worth Keeping

With the right care, poinsettias don’t have to be a one‑season wonder. Whether you enjoy them simply through Christmas or take on the challenge of re‑flowering them next year, they’re a wonderful addition to any festive home.

If you’d like advice on choosing the best poinsettia or caring for your houseplants this winter, our team at Woodbank Garden Centre is always happy to help.

✨ Happy Christmas gardening! ✨

Visit Woodbank Garden Centre today and let us help you make this Christmas truly special!