The poinsettia is the plant you love to hate. It wouldn't be Christmas without the poinsettia's bold red (or other colors), but you keep your fingers crossed and pray that the plant will make it through the long holiday season. Here are a few tips on keeping this temperamental and temporary houseguest happy.


Steps:
1.
Place your poinsettia in a sunny window. These plants require bright light - the more, the better.

2.
Keep soil evenly moist at all times. Even a day without adequate moisture is enough to make poinsettias drop their leaves.

3.
Provide a constant source of humidity by filling the overflow saucer with gravel. Water seeping through the pot will evaporate from the gravel.

4.
Turn up the heat. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where it is hot during the winter.

5.
Keep the temperature as close to constant as you can, day and night. Decreasing temperatures cause leaves to drop.

6.
Fertilize weekly with half-strength liquid houseplant fertilizer, or use a slow-release food when you first bring your poinsettia home.



Tips:
Pronounced "poin-set-e-uh" by the professionals.

If leaves begin to drop, increase humidity and reduce water.

Poinsettias make wonderful compost at the end of the holiday season.