Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions

Everything you need to know about poinsettia plants

For Christmas and beyond. - by Jenny Dillon
  • 23 Nov 2021
Everything you need to know about poinsettia plants
Getty

The rich red leaves and clusters of tiny, bright yellow or white flowers of the potted poinsettia are synonymous with Christmas, all around the world. Which begs the question - how does the poinsettia produce flowers for our summertime Christmas, at the same time as it bursts into bloom for the northern hemisphere’s winter?

There’s a bit of funny stuff going on. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are in fact native to southern Mexico, and flower naturally during late autumn and winter. But to get them flowering for the Australian Christmas, growers manipulate the day lengths in their greenhouses - making the day seem much shorter than it actually is - to coax the plants out of their natural cycles.

That doesn’t mean that the cycle won’t right itself eventually. And there’s no need to keep your poinsettias pot bound. They can grow into an attractive garden specimen up to four metres tall, and delight with a splash of bold colour that will liven up the dreary winter months.

Poinsettias
Getty

The best climate for growing poinsettias

Being naturally a tropical plant, poinsettias do very well in Australia’s tropical and sub-tropical zones and can cope in the temperate zones so long as they’re in a warm spot and protected from winds and frosts.

Pruning poinsettias

To keep the Christmas spirit alive, give your poinsettia a good prune to encourage new growth and get it back into its natural rhythm. But wear gloves when pruning and wash your hands afterwards because, like all members of the Euphorbia family, poinsettias produce a white, milky, sticky sap that can cause skin allergies.

Growing poinsettias in the garden

In the garden, they need fertile, well-drained soil in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct or indirect sun a day. Fertilise in June to promote flowering, then you can really enjoy Christmas in July, year after year.

You might also like:

Everything you need to know about Christmas beetles 

How to grow a NSW Christmas bush

Top tips for growing poinsettia

  • Garden
  • Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions
  • Indoor Plants

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Where to see the best Christmas lights in Australia for 2021

Where to see the best Christmas lights in Australia for 2021

How to grow a NSW Christmas bush

How to grow a NSW Christmas bush

The 15 best Christmas tree decorations in Australia

The 15 best Christmas tree decorations in Australia

People who put up Christmas decorations early are happier

People who put up Christmas decorations early are happier

{headline}

{headline}

10 best Christmas gifts for gardeners for 2021

10 best Christmas gifts for gardeners for 2021

11 best Christmas bauble sets in Australia

11 best Christmas bauble sets in Australia

5 Christmas-themed tea towels that ring in the festive spirit

5 Christmas-themed tea towels that ring in the festive spirit

{headline}

{headline}

The 4 new looks for Christmas decorations at Big W

The 4 new looks for Christmas decorations at Big W

The best way to store Christmas decorations

The best way to store Christmas decorations

Tara Dennis’ guide to DIY Christmas table decorations

Tara Dennis’ guide to DIY Christmas table decorations

Is this Australia's most popular Christmas tree?

Is this Australia's most popular Christmas tree?

How to make a living centrepiece for Christmas

How to make a living centrepiece for Christmas

9 stunning ways to decorate your Christmas tree

9 stunning ways to decorate your Christmas tree

The best expensive-looking Christmas decor is at Target

The best expensive-looking Christmas decor is at Target

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription