Poinsettias are one of the UK’s most iconic Christmas plants. With their rich red bracts and vibrant winter colour, they bring instant festive warmth to living rooms, hallways, and windowsills across the country. But despite their popularity, poinsettias can be a little misunderstood — and a little fussier than many people expect! Whether you’ve received one as a gift or treated yourself to a seasonal centrepiece, here’s everything you need to know to keep your poinsettia looking bright and healthy well into the New Year. What Makes Poinsettias Special? Before we dive into care tips, here’s a quick poinsettia fact that surprises most people:Those bold red “petals” aren’t flowers at all — they’re modified leaves, called bracts.The actual flowers are the tiny yellow buds in the centre, known as cyathia. When they’re fresh and intact, that’s your sign of a healthy plant. 1. Choosing the Right Spot Light is one of the most important factors for keeping poinsettias happy. Bright, indirect light is best Place your poinsettia near a window where it can enjoy plenty of natural daylight, but avoid harsh midday sun, which can scorch the leaves. Avoid cold windowsills Poinsettias are native to Mexico and absolutely hate the cold. If the leaves are touching a chilly windowpane, they may wilt or drop. 2. Keep Them Warm (But Not Hot!) Temperature is a big deal for poinsettias. Ideal temperature: 15–22°C They thrive in comfortably warm rooms. What to avoid: Draughts from frequently opened doors Cold air from leaky windows Sudden temperature swings Heat from radiators or fires If your poinsettia sits too close to a radiator, the leaves may curl or crisp at the edges. Aim for a spot with stable, cosy warmth. 3. Watering Your Poinsettia Properly This is where most poinsettias go wrong! The golden rule: Don’t overwater. Poinsettias prefer slightly dry soil over being too wet. Check the compost before watering — the top layer should feel just dry. When you water, do it thoroughly until excess drains out of the bottom. Empty any water collected in the saucer or decorative pot. Never leave the plant sitting in water, as this leads to root rot. A good rhythm for many homes is once a week, but always judge by the soil, not the calendar. 4. Humidity Helps Winter heating can make indoor air much drier than poinsettias prefer. Keep them away from direct heat sources. If your home is particularly dry, you can lightly mist the air around (not directly on) the plant. Placing the pot on a tray of pebbles with a little water beneath can gently boost humidity. 5. Feeding (Later, Not Now) During December and early January, your poinsettia doesn’t need feeding. If you’re keeping it past the festive season: Start feeding every few weeks with a general-purpose houseplant fertiliser from late January onwards. This keeps the foliage healthy once the bracts fade. 6. After Christmas: Keeping Your Poinsettia Year-Round Plenty of people throw poinsettias away after Christmas, but with a little patience, you can keep them going — and even encourage them to turn red again next winter. Spring care (March–April) Prune the plant back to about 10cm above the soil. Don’t worry — it will regrow! Continue watering lightly and keep it in bright, indirect light. Summer care (May–August) Repot your poinsettia into fresh compost once new growth appears. Keep it somewhere bright and warm. Water and feed as normal. Autumn colouring (October–November) This is the tricky bit. To turn the bracts red again, poinsettias need a strict 14 hours of darkness every day for about 8 weeks. Many people achieve this by: Covering the plant with a lightproof box or cloth every evening, or Placing the plant in a dark cupboard from late afternoon until the next morning. After the blackout period, return the plant to its usual bright spot and watch the bracts develop again. Common Poinsettia Problems (and How to Fix Them) Leaves dropping suddenly Likely caused by cold draughts, shock from transport, or overwatering. Curling or crispy leaf edges Too close to a heat source or low humidity. Yellowing leaves Often a sign of overly wet soil. Let it dry out before watering again. A Final Thought Poinsettias may have a delicate reputation, but once you understand their preferences — warmth, gentle light, and careful watering — they’re surprisingly easy to keep happy. With the right care, your festive plant can continue to brighten your home long after the decorations have come down.