How to Choose and Care for Your Poinsettia
go.ncsu.edu/readext?900224
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲
A variety of poinsettia plants at Poinsettia Field Day in a Raulston Arboretum greenhouse.
Poinsettias are the flowers often associated with Christmas and they come in a variety of colors ranging from red, white, pink and various shades in between. Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America and were introduced to the U.S. by Joel Poinsett, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, in 1825. Poinsettias have a bad reputation for being poisonous, and although they are not recommended for food consumption, they are not poisonous. Some people may have an adverse reaction to the latex that exudes from the leaves and stem when they are broken; however, usually this is only a minor skin irritation.
When choosing a poinsettia for purchase, be sure it is not wilted and the bottom leaves are not yellow. This could be an indication of over-watering or temperature damage and the plant will not recover.
The care of poinsettias is much like any other house plant, with water and temperature being the main concerns. Poinsettias do not like to be overwatered but prefer evenly moist soil. When in doubt about whether or not to water poinsettias, err on the side of dry. How often you need to water will depend on location and the type of soil in which they are growing. Temperatures for poinsettias should range between 55 degrees F and 75 degrees F. Temperatures below or above this will shorten the life of the plant.
If you want to keep your poinsettia and have it re-bloom next year, treat it like other houseplants with once a month fertilization schedule. When the day length begins to shorten next fall, place the poinsettia in an area that receives at least 13-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness until it turns the appropriate color. For more information about poinsettia care please visit: NC State Poinsettia Care