Taking Care of Poinsettias this Holiday Season

A video featuring Karen Mitchell, the consumer horticulture Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in Purdue University's College of Agriculture, has been uploaded to the AP Video Hub. In the video, she explains how to take care of poinsettias this holiday season. This video can be found at https://bit.ly/3FQmuxk.

Mitchell says that poinsettias are tropical plants that need to be kept at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When transporting them from a store or garden center, she recommends using a plastic sleeve to cover the plant so that it is not damaged by cold weather.

Poinsettias should be placed in a bright location but not in direct sunlight. If the plant is near a cold window, people should make sure that none of the leaves are touching the glass, as that will cause damage. Mitchell says that one of the most common problems people experience with poinsettias comes from over- or underwatering. Poinsettias should be watered about once a week, and the top of the soil should be moist to the touch. People should also make sure to keep these plants away from doors that might let in a cold breeze.

Mitchell notes that while people and animals should not eat poinsettias, they are not toxic and pose no serious danger to children or pets.