euphorbia pulcherrima is commonly known as poinsettia or christmas star and is a very popular houseplant especially around christmas time. its surrounded by colored top leaves (bracts) flowers are small and yellow. there are a lot of cultivars available, with red, white, yellow and even green bracts.
care
the poinsettia does best if located bright without afternoon sun. a light shaded place such as some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. during summer it can be given to a draft protected place in the garden.
it can be grown in a good regular potting soil which can be mixed with some sand (3:1). keep it constantly moist but not wet, water flowing out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause irreversible root damage. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok but it shouldn’t dry completely.
a water soluble fertilizer at half strength can be given every two weeks in spring and summer and monthly during fall/winter.
euphorbia pulcherrima likes room temperature the year round with a winter minimum of 14 °c/57 °f. after flowering it can be cutted back. this will produce a more bushier plant.
for blooming around the holidays, the poinsettia needs six to eight weeks of total darkness for 12-14 hours every day, starting around september.
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propagation
the poinsettia can easily be propagated with cuttings.
