Poinsettia, a large full potted plant covered in bright red bracts on a shaded patio

Poinsettia

Euphorbia pulcherrima
Categories:
  ·  
Water
Water thoroughly when the top inch of potting mix feels dry, then drain completely. Do not leave water in saucers or decorative foil sleeves. Avoid prolonged drying and wilting.
Description
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a tropical shrub prized for colorful winter bracts surrounding tiny flowers. ‘XL 10 in’ generally denotes a large plant sold in a 10-inch nursery pot, not a specific cultivar.
Bloom Time
Deciduous / Evergreen
Special Features
Growth Rate
Foliage Color
Mildly toxic if ingested (GI upset); milky sap irritates skin and eyes
Care Instructions

Light: Bright, indirect light indoors. Outdoors in Phoenix, provide filtered shade or gentle morning sun; protect from intense afternoon sun and reflected heat.

Water: Water thoroughly when the top inch of potting mix feels dry, then drain completely. Do not leave water in saucers or decorative foil sleeves. Avoid prolonged drying and wilting.

Soil: Well-drained, peat- or coir-based potting mix with perlite. Use a container with drainage holes.

Mature size: Commonly maintained at 1–3 feet tall and wide in containers. Unpruned shrubs can reach 6–10 feet tall and similarly wide in frost-free climates; Phoenix frost and summer heat limit outdoor performance.

Bloom: Typically late fall through winter. For repeat winter color, provide approximately 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness nightly for 8–10 weeks beginning in fall, with bright light during the day.

Evergreen / deciduous: Broadleaf evergreen in warm, stable conditions; may shed leaves during dormancy or in response to cold, drought, or other stress.

Growth rate: Moderate to fast during warm growing conditions.