Caring for Your Holiday Poinsettias in Vallarta and Nayarit Team Angels - PVAngels
December 22, 2013

Although poinsettias are most often associated with the holiday season, they are actually tropical plants. In spite of their origins, poinsettias can thrive during the holiday season and even last long after the holidays have come and gone.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America. Aztecs called the plant cuetlaxochitl which means "flower with leather petals" and it was believed to represent the new life that warriors attain in battle.

The flowering plant was first introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, and was subsequently renamed the poinsettia. The flowers of the poinsettia are actually the yellow blooms at the middle of the bright red, yellow, pink or white bracts that form on the plant. Perhaps due to the bright red of the bracts, the plant quickly became a popular Christmas plant.

You're in luck if you are in the Vallarta-Nayarit area because our temperatures are perfect this time of year in maintaining and caring for your poinsettias.

Avoid drafty, cold locations in air conditioned rooms. Poinsettias prefer warmer air and bright light during the winter flowering season.

Water your poinsettia about once a week. Do not overwater. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. However, when you do water, water the plant thoroughly and ensure free drainage. Do not let the compost dry completely.

No fertilizer during the holiday season. This will hasten the decline of the flower bracts. They prefer to be a little hungry for a better show.

Most poinsettias are tossed out after the holidays, or after the bracts have faded. However, with some effort and these care tips, you can coax your poinsettia back into bloom before next Christmas.

• When leaves start to fall, water sparingly (just enough to keep soil from drying out completely) and do not fertilize.

• In early April, prune the plant back to 6 inch stems. This will stimulate new growth. Keep your poinsettia in a bright location with regular waterings and begin fertilizing. Once you see new growth, repot it in fresh soil.

• Poinsettia needs long nights and short days to bloom. Beginning in early October, give it 10 weeks of long nights (14 hours of complete darkness). Put a box over it or put it in a closet so that the plant gets uninterrupted darkness every night. Bring it out during the daytime and put it in a bright (indirect sun) location.

• Once the bracts begin to show color, resume with normal poinsettia care.

In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as the Flor de Nochebuena.

If these tips don't work, blame it on the maid and toss in the nearest dumpster.