2 days Ago By Angela Patrone
Monty Don has shared which gardening tasks can be done in January to get the new year off to a good start - one of them is to ensure that your poinsettias thrive for longer. Poinsettias serve as a vibrant and festive houseplant for home decor during the Christmas season. But many don’t know that, with the right care, these plants can “last and look good for months,” according to the gardening guru.
While they can be challenging to care for, using certain care methods can extend their lifespan, allowing them to bring joy for several months. The 69-year-old emphasised that poinsettias are “only really comfortable in damp warmth”, so it’s essential to avoid placing them in hot and dry spots to ensure their prolonged health and aesthetic appeal. Monty advised: “They do not like cool nights, very hot dry rooms or big fluctuations in temperatures.
” He also suggests avoiding places with draughts, cold windows, or overly bright areas that could scorch during the day. To extend your poinsettia's life, it’s also about the location, and when it comes to watering, timing is everything. The top layer of soil should go dry from time to time; use your fingers to check if it needs watering or not.
Don’t let the soil go bone dry all through, though. Monty said, “They like plenty of water, but let the compost dry out before giving them a really good soak,” as he shared in his previous blog post. “[Stand] the pot in a sink full of water and leave it to stand for 10 minutes before letting the excess water drain from the pot.
” If you intend to keep the plant long after the holidays, it is worth giving it some liquid plant food once a month. Liquid plant food is available in any supermarket; instructions on measurements and quantities needed are given on the bottle. Usually, a poinsettia will require one to two tablespoons of fertiliser.
When buying one of these plants on a very cold or even freezing day, they should be wrapped well to keep them from harm..
