It comes as a hostess gift, a … Many Americans only see poinsettia plants when they are wrapped in tinsel on the holiday table. Poinsettias require around six hours of light per day. Originally from the temperate suburbs of North Carolina, she enjoys discovering ways to meet a climate challenge. Poinsettias grow best in well-lit areas, but direct sun or hot lights can dry out the plants. You can also grow them outdoors in your garden if you live in a frost-free area. If it’s your potted holiday plant that makes you ask about planting poinsettia outdoors, you have to start treating the plant well from the moment it arrives. In the right climate and with the right planting location and care, these bright Christmas favorites can shoot up to 10-foot (3 m.) shrubs in rapid order. If there are frequent frosts in your area or snow, the Poinsettia thrives if you protect the roots by mixing wood bark with the soil. Have you cared for these colorful beauties in chilly temperatures or lost one to cold weather? Can Poinsettias Be Outside In The Cold 13. A: Yes. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Choosing the Container But even cold weather above freezing can harm Christmas flowers – they will begin to drop their leaves when temperatures fall to 50°F. Whether indoors or out, keep your poinsettia at a nice comfortable temperature above 50°F, and your plant will remain cozy and bright. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. You can keep it outdoors in the balcony garden in the summer if sheltered from intense light and winds. Poinsettia plants like it on the warmer (not hot) side during … And how? Hydrating Your Landscape: Which Irrigation Method Is Best for You and Your Plants? Mulching over the plant’s roots during the cold months will also help ensure that it stays alive, even if the stems get bitten by a cold snap. Be careful when transporting poinsettias from the shop to your home in the winter, as the cold outdoor temperatures can damage the foliage. See our TOS for more details. If you want to save your poinsettia and bring it to bloom again next year, you can follow the repotting and reblooming procedure. How to Transplant a Poinsettia. Poinsettias can stay attractive for months. If that’s your experience, it’s time you learned about growing poinsettia plants outside. Yes, they are a major staple when it comes to the holiday season, but with a little TLC, your poinsettias can look gorgeous all year-round. Can You Use Ice Cubes To Water Poinsettias 9. If your poinsettia becomes root bound, you can repot it into a larger container. There is no reason why you can't grow poinsettias outdoors as landscape plants in warm climates like Florida. Poinsettias can not live outside where the temperatures drop below 45 degrees and they can not tolerate frost. How Much Water Does A Poinsettia Need 6. Repotting is a good idea for the poinsettia especially. Bring your poinsettias in when the temperature drops in the fall. Can you keep poinsettias outside? Then, as the weather warms up, trim the fading bracts — the colorful adapted leaves that we often consider the flower. So if you are trying to find the best location for your Christmas star indoors, make sure to avoid drafty locations, such as next to cool windows that lower the temperature of the air. Then follow the directions below for getting your poinsettia to rebloom. Although poinsettias are beautiful plants, they are one of the most difficult potted plants to keep indoors. Do Poinsettias Need Sunlight 10. Come late May you can plant your poinsettia in the garden in a sunny position, in well-drained soil. Water your potted poinsettia when the soil starts getting dry and place it in a sunny location in your home, protected from air currents. They need a minimum temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). You can plant it outdoors this spring after the threat of freezing temperatures has passed Plant it in a protected area with some sun and good drainage. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) originate in Mexico and thrive in the heat. Poinsettia Care Tips. At this range, the cold hardiness of poinsettias is below its tolerant point and leaves will drop. In their native Latin American habitat, they don’t experience freezing temperatures. Before you locate your Christmas flower outdoors or place it on your porch, make sure to double check your hardiness zone. For this reason, only grow the plant outdoors in summer and make sure it is back inside before any chance of cold appears. As far as the Christmas flower is concerned, warmer isn’t necessarily better. But it's tricky to get them to re-bloom — that is, unless you live in a subtropical area. Here is more about what we do. Can Poinsettias Live Outside In The Summer 7. Yes, absolutely. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Because poinsettias are members of the rubber tree family, people allergic to latex are often allergic to them, as well. A holiday gift of a poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is almost a certainty. Poinsettias need bright, but filtered light, away from strong sun and draughts. Yes. Don’t transplant poinsettia plants outdoors right after Christmas. Too much water can kill a poinsettia. In late September, begin the two-month darkness cycle. Many Americans only see poinsettia plants when they are wrapped in tinsel on the holiday table. If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, you can begin planting poinsettia … They can be especially hazardous for infants, toddlers and pets. Just a few tips. Temperature The ideal inside temperature to keep poinsettias healthy is between 65 and 70 degrees F during the day and around 60 degrees F at night. Can Poinsettias Live Outside In The Summer 7. As mentioned, the ideal temperature range for them to thrive is 65-70°F without any drastic swings. Water your poinsettia when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. If that’s your experience, it’s time you learned about growing poinsettia plants outside. A bit of temperature fluctuation is best. Then you can transplant them to your garden in January, and let the natural changes in daylight trigger their color later in the year. In March, cut the plant back (it’s okay for your poinsettia to even be leafless). Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. She is a Certified Permaculture Designer and a Building Biology Environmental Consultant, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Native to tropical parts of Mexico and Central America, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are showy perennials that are hardy in zones 9 to 11, and they’re surprisingly easy to grow. And to learn more about these vibrant holiday plants, check out these other poinsettia articles next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. For more information about poinsettia plants outdoors, read on. They can grow up to 8-10 feet tall but without regular pruning they will become leggy and week. One of the most common Christmas plants is the poinsettia. About growing poinsettia in the Car guide to learn more in your area don ’ t experience freezing.. Fall sun and the poinsettia planting poinsettia outdoors, begin the two-month darkness cycle dry to touch. 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