The best advice on how to plant poinsettias should include every step of the process, beginning with planting in the right climate. If you are planting poinsettias outdoors, particular care should be taken to choose a suitable location. An ideal planting area for poinsettias is wind-protected and sunny with partial shade. Well-drained soil is also essential for this type of plant. After planting poinsettias, you will need to follow up with regular mulching, watering and pruning to accelerate the plants’ development and promote healthy growth.
Mild or Temperate Climates Are Best
Poinsettias thrive best under conditions where the winters are not cold, typically the 9-11 regions of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. These regions are generally warm with chilly nights, especially in winter, but do not experience freezing temperatures. If your climate belongs to these parameters, you may be able to plant a container with poinsettias successfully.
Keep Plants Indoors Until Spring
Early spring is usually the optimal time to plant poinsettias, when danger of frost has passed. Your potted plants can be stored in a garage or on a patio, depending on what your weather is like. After potting, you ought to prune and fertilize the poinsettias while watering regularly to ensure that the plants survive until it’s time to transplant them outdoors.
Choose a Suitable Outdoor Location
Selecting a suitable outdoor location is critical to the successful planting of poinsettias. Survey your yard or garden and look for a sunny spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Areas with a southern exposure are extremely advantageous for poinsettias. Partial shade is also desirable. Choose a location with protection against the wind, if possible.
Plant in Well-Drained Sandy Soil
Poinsettias that are transplanted outdoors need well-drained sandy soil, preferably in a spot higher than the surrounding terrain. You should examine how well the soil drains before starting the transplantation. This can be done by making a small hole in the ground and then filling it with water. Six hours later, if the water is gone, it can be considered sufficiently drained. Poinsettias also need a pH level of between 5 and 7, so you may want to buy an inexpensive soil test kit to check for acidity and alkalinity.
Transplant Poinsettias Outdoors
After selecting a suitable outdoor location and testing the soil, dig holes that are twice as large as each poinsettia. Remove each plant from the container, gently loosening the roots and spreading them apart a little before putting the poinsettia into the ground. All the holes should be filled with soil to the level where it was in the container. Add a layer of mulch after planting the poinsettias to keep the soil cool and moist.
Prune and Fertilize Mature Plants
Pruning is usually necessary after planting poinsettias to stimulate growth and encourage the plants’ development. The main branches should be about 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Fertilize the poinsettias if desired, but no more than twice a month. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on fertilizer products for best results.
