Potted Poinsettias: Add unique plants and a colorful theme to create a unique holiday display

This bright holiday plant is definitely one of the most popular and is beautiful alone or combined with other colorful house plants. Traditionally poinsettias come in a foil wrapper. Adding a colorful pot and additional plants can transform this traditional plant into the centerpiece of your holiday decorating.

Outside of its own foil wrap and grouped with ivy, ferns, bromeliads, or caladiums in a larger pot can make an extraordinary centerpiece for any table. With many varieties to choose from you may even enjoy poinsettias with Christmas cacti or kalanchoes. It is important to display the plants in bright, indirect light, with the maximum amount of light during the winter months. Being a native to Mexico, they like average warmth, away from any drastic changes in temperature. Mild temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Selecting Plants And Pots

Watering:

• These plants should be watered thoroughly, when the soil dries out a half-inch from the top. Do not let them dry out, keeping in mind that both under watering and over watering can send your plant into a decline. They also like to be fertilized every two weeks with diluted fertilizer. Misting its leaves frequently is also beneficial.

Arranging:

• This can be a time when you can really bring out your own creativity. With a great assortment of colors and a large variety of complementing house plants, the options seem endless. Think about what makes this arrangement visually appealing. Different sizes and heights and contrasting shapes, textures, and foliage all add to its distinct look!

Caring for your Holiday Creation:

• After the holidays, poinsettias are usually thrown away. With diligent care, however, you may end up with an annual foliage plant in your garden and possibly even a bloom again the following Christmas. However, getting them to re-bloom does require complete darkness for 14 hours every night and 10 hours of daylight everyday for 10 weeks. If this does not work for you, it is also possible to cut the poinsettia back to two buds, reduce the watering, and keep in a cool place indoors until the winter months have passed and then enjoy their green foliage during the summer months indoors or out on the patio. With poinsettias coming in a variety of colors including traditional red, pink, salmon, white, yellow, and purple it makes it that much more fun to choose the one that best fits your home decor! Enjoy!