According to gardening expert Monty Don, poinsettia houseplants can be kept looking good for "months" with a little care. Monty revealed in his January blog post some key advice for poinsettia care: "Hundreds of thousands of poinsettias are given as Christmas gifts and with a little care these can be made to last looking good for months." Elaborating on the nature of the festive plants, he said, "Modern poinsettias grown as houseplants are treated with a growth retardant to create the familiar short, bushy shape we all know and love.".
He then contrasted this to their natural state: "However, in their native Mexico, poinsettias grow at the margin of the forest to a large 10ft high shrub." A crucial insight from the garden guru is that the beloved houseplant thrives in "only" one kind of setting: "damp warmth".
Therefore, Monty advised that they're not keen on cold nights or overly hot and dry rooms and also suggested that they dislike significant temperature changes. For optimal upkeep, he advises homeowners to position their poinsettias where there's an unvarying average temperature, ensure there are no draughts, cold windows or excessively bright spots prone to heating up during the day.
Regarding watering routines, Monty stressed only to water when the compost feels dry: "They like plenty of water but let the compost dry out before giving them a really good soak." His method involves soaking the plant: "Stand the pot in a sink full of water and leave it to stand for 10 minutes or so before letting the excess water drain from the pot.".
