A red poinsettia in a pot indoors

Poinsettia care

Pick a healthy poinsettia, keep it at 60–70°F away from drafts, water when the surface is dry — and how to make it turn red again next December.

By Martín Golia Last reviewed 2 min read

Top photo: A red poinsettia in a pot indoors. Photo: Rebecca gagne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Timing for the Northern Hemisphere (US, Canada, UK)In Australia/NZ, shift every month by six: US April ≈ Australian October.

Keep a poinsettia in bright, indirect light at 60–70°F, away from cold drafts and heaters, and water only when the surface of the soil feels dry. Do that and it will stay colorful well into January — often into spring.

Most poinsettias die from two things: getting cold on the way home, and sitting in a foil wrapper full of water.

At the store: how to pick a good one

Look for Avoid
Small, tight yellow-green buds in the center (the true flowers) Buds already dropped or shedding pollen
Dark green leaves all the way down the stems Yellow or missing lower leaves
Soil that’s moist but not soggy Plants sitting in water inside a sleeve
Plants displayed away from the door Plants by the entrance getting cold blasts

Getting it home: below about 50°F, the leaves can be damaged in minutes. Ask for a sleeve or bag, and don’t leave it in a cold car while you run other errands.

Daily care

  • Light: a bright window, but leaves shouldn’t touch cold glass.
  • Temperature: 60–70°F during the day, slightly cooler at night is fine. Keep it away from heater vents, fireplaces and outside doors.
  • Water: when the surface feels dry. Then water until it drains, and poke holes in the decorative foil or remove it so water can escape.
  • Fertilizer: not needed while it’s in color.

How long will it last?

With good care, the colored bracts usually look good for 6–8 weeks or more. Many people treat poinsettias as seasonal — like cut flowers that last two months — and that’s perfectly fine.

Want it to turn red again next year?

Poinsettias turn color in response to long nights. To rebloom one, it needs about 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness every night for 8–10 weeks, starting around October 1, in the US:

When What to do
Late winter–spring Keep it growing in a sunny window; water when dry.
Late spring Cut stems back to about 6 inches and repot if needed.
Summer Can go outside in partial shade once nights stay above 55°F. Pinch the tips to keep it bushy (stop by early September).
Before the first frost Bring it in. When to bring plants inside →
Oct 1 – early December 14 hours of total darkness nightly (a closet or a box from about 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.), bright light by day. Even a lamp switched on briefly can reset it.
December Color returns. Back to normal care.

It’s a fun project, but honestly, it takes discipline. If you’d rather have a holiday plant that reblooms by itself, try a Christmas cactus — it’s also non-toxic to pets.

The pet question

Poinsettias have a scarier reputation than they deserve. The ASPCA lists them as toxic to cats and dogs, with mild symptoms — mouth irritation, drooling, sometimes vomiting. Keep it out of reach, but if your cat takes a nibble, it’s not the emergency that a lily is. Plants that really are dangerous for cats →

Quick answers

Are poinsettias poisonous to cats and dogs?

They're mildly toxic. According to the ASPCA, the milky sap can irritate the mouth and stomach and sometimes cause vomiting, but serious poisoning is unlikely. Keep it out of reach anyway.

Why are my poinsettia's leaves falling off?

The usual causes are cold drafts, sudden temperature changes (like the ride home from the store) and soil that's too wet or too dry. Keep it warm, bright and evenly moist.

Sources

Checked November 9, 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.

Christmas cactus not blooming? Next in this series →
Pinterest pin: Poinsettia Care: Keep It Red Through the Holidays (and Beyond)
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