Christmas Eve or “Christmas star” is one of the key symbols of the end of the year celebrations. This houseplant with colorful bracts requires careful maintenance for successful flowering from November to March. In order to ensure the best conditions for their survival and growth, a particular operation must be carried out immediately after purchase. We tell you everything.
Also know asEuphorbia pulcherrima, Christmas Eve is characterized by a red color and green foliage. Poorly cared for, this fragile and delicate plant can lose its many virtues before the end of the flowering period. Therefore, to preserve its bracts for a longer time, the conditions of transport must be taken into account as well as the care that must be given.
Before buying a Poinsettia, it is essential to check its general condition. Uneven color or yellowing foliage should alert you. Once you have chosen your plant, you must respect the following rule to preserve its foliage.
-
Protect the Christmas star during transport.
Good night. source: spm
The first thing you should do to prolong the life of your Christmas star is to protect it from the winter cold. In fact, this tropical plant, native to Mexico, does not like temperature fluctuations and should not be exposed to low temperatures. After buying it at the florist, you have to make sure that it is well protected during the journey. Therefore, it is advisable to wrap it in gift paper and transport it by car to limit the risks. Once at home, do not remove this protection directly! Give your poinsettia time to get used to the new thermal conditions in your home.
Poinsettia leaves can change appearance and wither due to a change in temperature or excessively dry weather. Here are some tips to care for the Poinsettia and keep it healthy.
-
Store the Christmas star at the right temperature
As a general rule, the Christmas star tolerates temperatures between 18 and 20°C better. Then a space must be guaranteed in a cool room away from radiators and windows. Intense heat or a draft could affect its fragile foliage. However, you can place it in a bright area without exposing it to direct sunlight.
-
The Christmas star prefers humid environments
Poinsettia watering. source: spm
During flowering, it is essential to water the plant regularly, making sure to let the soil dry between two waterings. Therefore, small amounts of room temperature water can be used every other day. When the leaves begin to fall, watering must be spaced. In fact, the needs of the Poinsettia are increasingly limited after flowering. To keep them in a humid environment: it is advisable to spray the foliage from time to time and place a support full of clay balls and a little water at the bottom of the pot for continuous drainage of the roots. From the end of flowering, it will also try to fold the stems about 5 to 10 cm. Fertilize twice a month and water regularly once new stems appear.
Christmas Eve or “Christmas star”, a toxic plant?
The Christmas star is undoubtedly one of the essential decorative plants of the winter season. However, many people are unaware of the danger it poses to children and pets. Indeed, this red bush is potentially poisonous and can cause skin irritation or mild food poisoning. For this reason, it is important to protect your hands by putting on gloves during transplanting or any other maintenance. It is also necessary to put this plant out of the reach of children and animals.
