Poinsettias are one of my favourite plants to sell every December, and also one of the most misunderstood. People assume they're delicate and destined to drop their leaves within a fortnight, but that's usually down to a couple of easily-fixed habits rather than the plant itself being difficult. Get the basics right and yours should stay colourful well past New Year.
Give It Bright Light — But Not Direct Sun or Draughts
Poinsettias want a bright spot, ideally near a window, but not press up against cold glass or sat in a draughty hallway — both cause the leaves to yellow and drop. Equally, avoid full, direct midday sun through the glass, which can scorch the coloured bracts. A bright windowsill out of a direct draught, or a well-lit spot a little further back from the window, both work well.
Keep It Away From Radiators and Fireplaces
This is the mistake I see most often. Poinsettias like a stable, moderate room temperature — somewhere around 15–20°C — and hate sudden temperature swings. A spot on the mantelpiece above a lit fire, or right next to a radiator, dries the plant out and shortens its life dramatically. Find it a spot away from direct heat sources, even if that means moving it slightly out of the "showpiece" position over the fire.
Water Only When the Compost Feels Dry
More poinsettias are killed by overwatering than underwatering. Check the compost with your finger a couple of centimetres down — if it still feels damp, leave it a day or two and check again. When it does need water, water it thoroughly at the sink and let it drain completely before putting it back in its decorative pot cover; poinsettias hate sitting in water, and a pot cover with no drainage hole is often the real culprit when a plant looks like it's dying from the roots up.
Watch Out for Draughts From Doors
If your poinsettia is anywhere near a front door, porch, or a room that gets a blast of cold air every time a door opens, it's worth moving it somewhere more sheltered for the season. Cold shock is one of the quickest ways to see leaves curl and drop within a day or two.
What If Mine Is Already Dropping Leaves?
A few lower leaves dropping naturally over the season is normal, especially as the plant settles into a new home after being moved from a warm shop or garden centre. But if it's dropping quickly and looking sorry for itself, run through the checklist above — it's almost always one of: too cold, too hot, sitting in water, or a cold draught, rather than anything more serious.
Can I Keep It Going Until Next Christmas?
Poinsettias are perennials, so with care they can be kept from year to year, though getting the bracts to turn red again involves a fairly fiddly process of controlled darkness in autumn, which is more commitment than most people want. Most of our customers treat them as a gorgeous seasonal display for the Christmas period and start again with a fresh plant the following year — there's no shame in that.
Looking for a poinsettia, wreath or festive bouquet this year? We hand-make our Christmas range in the studio on Wakefield Road.
See Our Christmas Flowers