In December, poinsettia is the star of the windowsills. Its bright red “flowers” create the atmosphere of a real holiday. But by mid-January, many people notice: the leaves wither, the bracts fade, and the plant looks tired. This is not a disease, this is how poinsettia reacts to dry air, drafts and improper watering. But there is an easy way to keep it sparkling throughout the Christmas season and even prepare it to bloom next year.
The main thing to understand is that poinsettia is not just a flower, but a symbol of the New Year. And unlike ficus or palm trees, it blooms right now, in the shortest days. It requires very little maintenance to maintain it.
To prevent poinsettia from shedding its leaves and losing its brightness, it needs three conditions:
- warm air without drafts,
- diffused light,
- watering only with warm, settled water and only when the top layer of soil is dry.
Many people destroy poinsettia not from a lack, but from an excess of care: they water it every day, place it next to the radiator, or spray the leaves. But she comes from Mexico and loves dryness, warmth and peace.
The secret to long flowering is in irrigation water. Add 1-2 drops of iodine per liter to each serving of water. Iodine gently stimulates the plant's immunity, strengthens tissues and helps maintain the rich red hue of the bracts longer. This is an old agricultural technique, tested on greenhouse crops, but it also works at home.
How to care:
- Place the pot away from radiators and windows with cracks. The ideal temperature is 18–22 °C.
- Water only when the top layer of soil is dry to 2cm deep.
- Set aside water for irrigation in advance and warm it to room temperature.
- Once every 10 days, add 1-2 drops of iodine to the water.
- Do not spray the leaves.
After just 5–7 days you will notice: the bracts will stop turning pale, the leaves will become dense, and the plant itself will be “vivified”, as on the day of purchase.
And if you continue to care after February, the poinsettia will not dry out, but will go into a dormant phase and bloom again next December, reminding you of the holiday.
