Poinsettias are a popular holiday plant. Their red, white, or pink blooms make any room look better. But because they are so delicate, they often wilt, leaving many people wondering if they can save their poinsettia once it starts to droop.
The good news is that with some TLC and troubleshooting there’s a good chance you can nurse your poinsettia back to health, Here is a step-by-step guide to identify common causes of poinsettia wilt and techniques to revive your plant
Step 1: Check for Root Rot
If the leaves are wilting but the soil still feels damp root rot is likely the culprit. This fungal disease thrives in wet conditions and causes roots to turn brown and mushy so they can’t take up water properly.
To check for root rot:
- Carefully slide the poinsettia out of its pot.
- Inspect the root ball and individual roots. Healthy roots should be white and firm.
- Brown, mushy roots signal root rot.
- Trim off any obviously rotten roots with clean shears.
- Repotting in fresh, sterile potting mix is needed to help cure root rot.
Step 2: Troubleshoot Underwatering
If the soil is bone dry, underwatering is probably to blame. Poinsettias need frequent watering to support their dense, thirsty foliage.
Check these factors to improve watering practices:
- Water only when the top 1-2′′ of soil is dry. Stick a finger in to check.
- Make sure excess water can drain out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in a saucer of water.
- Humidity helps poinsettias transpire water properly. Mist leaves or use a pebble tray.
- Add water-retaining polymers to the soil to help retain moisture longer.
- Water until it runs from the drainage holes to thoroughly saturate the root zone.
Step 3: Give the Plant a Warm Bath
If the leaf wilting is accompanied by yellowing or dropped leaves, the plant may be suffering from cold damage. Poinsettias prefer daytime temps of 65-70°F.
To warm up a chilled poinsettia:
- Fill a sink or tub with room temperature water.
- Immerse the entire pot in the water, leaving it to soak for 30 minutes.
- This helps rehydrate roots and raises the plant’s temp.
- Avoid hot or cold water, which could further stress the plant.
- Drain well after its bath and return to an ideal warm, bright spot.
Step 4: Repot in Fresh Soil
Repotting in sterile, well-draining soil provides a chance to hit the reset button. Follow these tips:
- Carefully remove from its pot and gently loosen the root ball.
- Prune any damaged roots.
- Fill new pot with commercial potting mix, not garden soil which may harbor diseases.
- Plant at the same level as before and water well to settle soil.
Use these tricks to improve drainage:
- Choose an container with bottom drainage holes.
- Mix in perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage.
- Elevate pot above a saucer to prevent root sitting in water.
Step 5: Give it a Humid Home
Poinsettias hail from the tropics, so they thrive in humid conditions around 50-60% relative humidity.
Boost humidity with any of these methods:
- Mist leaves frequently with a spray bottle.
- Place pots on a pebble tray filled with water, making sure pots don’t sit directly in water.
- Use a humidifier nearby.
- Grow in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen.
Monitor moisture closely in humid spots to avoid overwatering.
Step 6: Provide Bright, Indirect Light
For poinsettias to make the nutrients and energy they need to recover, they need to get enough sunlight. But direct hot sunlight can scorch their thin leaves.
- Place poinsettias near an east, west, or slightly shaded south window.
- Pull sheer curtains over bright windows to filter intense light.
- Rotate the pot frequently so all sides get even light exposure.
- Keep plants a few feet back from windows.
- Supplement with a grow light if indoor conditions are too dim.
Step 7: Fertilize Weekly
Fertilizing provides vital nutrients to support healing and new growth. Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.
- Dilute fertilizer to half or quarter strength the label recommends.
- Fertilize at each watering for a period of 2-3 weeks.
- Flush soil monthly to avoid buildup.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage roots, inhibit water uptake, and cause more wilting.
Step 8: Prune Damaged Growth
Once revived through the previous steps, prune away any damaged or diseased foliage. Make cuts just above leaf nodes or where stems branch.
- Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to avoid damaging healthy tissue.
- Remove dropped leaves and spent flowers.
- Pinching back leggy shoots encourages bushier regrowth.
- Disinfect tools after use to avoid spreading disease.
Be Patient for Recovery
Have patience if your poinsettia doesn’t perk up overnight after intervention. It can take weeks for wilted plants to fully regain vigor. Consistently providing ideal care will set the poinsettia up to make a full comeback.
Know When to Call It Quits
No matter how hard you try, some poinsettias can’t be brought back to life if the roots or leaves get too damaged. Signs a poinsettia may be too far gone:
- Majority of leaves have shriveled and dropped.
- Stems are mushy or easily snap.
- Plant declines further despite several weeks of improved care.
Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t nurse every poinsettia back to health! The holiday season is hectic, and these plants are finicky. Just focus on what you learned for next year.
Enjoy Poinsettias Season After Season
Taking steps to revive wilted poinsettias ensures you can enjoy these holiday staples longer and protect your plant investment. With the right troubleshooting and care regimen, you can save droopy poinsettias to live on for seasons to come.
Encouraging New Growth in Spring and Summer
- 1. Always keep your poinsettia between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C). Poinsettias like it best when it’s about the same temperature as you. Luckily, this means they’ll be happy in almost any room of the house. 7. Put your plant away from any doors or windows that you open a lot. Poinsettias don’t hold up well under a draft. [8] Do not place poinsettias near heaters, radiators, or vents. It’s best not to change the thermostat too much when the temperature outside changes.
- 2 Fertilize your poinsettia once a month throughout the spring. Fertilizers are necessary to give your growing soil the nutrients it needs. Balanced houseplant fertilizers that dissolve in water are the safest choice for poinsettias and other delicate plants. Always use the amount that is written on the package of a product. To feed your poinsettia, you can also use natural organic matter like worm castings or garden compost. If you want to use fertilizer, the best time is right after you water, while the soil is still wet. Fertilizing poinsettias in dry soil could damage the roots. [10] When the plant is growing the fastest, the fertilizer should be added again about once a month.
- 3. Put the plant outside in a spot that doesn’t get direct sunlight. If it’s warm outside, leave your poinsettia outside for a few hours. Put the plant somewhere with some shade so it doesn’t get too hot. Patios with screens and flower beds with tree cover can be great places for poinsettias to grow outside. [11] Introduce your poinsettia to outdoor conditions gradually. Starting with a few hours in the early morning is usually best. Then, gradually expose it for an hour or two more each day until it can handle the whole afternoon. Find a spot in your garden that gets a lot of sun in the morning but less sun in the afternoon. If your poinsettia has been in the hot sun for a long time, you may need to water it more often. Leaving your plant outside for too long may cause the leaves to droop, wilt, or get wrinkled. [12] .
- 4. Cut the stems back to about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long in the spring or summer. When the weather gets warmer, it can help to cut your poinsettia down by about a third or even up to half from its original size. Strategic pruning is necessary to kickstart growth. It will create a bushier, fuller plant. By cutting off the stems, you’ll help the plant use its resources to make new flowers and leaves. […] If you’d rather not do most of the pruning right away, you can wait until the poinsettia is fully grown in the middle of summer. [14] .
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Things You’ll Need
- Pruning shears
- Water-soluble houseplant fertilizer
- Organic fertilizing material (optional)
- Large container
- Commercial potting soil mix
- Bag or box for covering at night
- Mild organic pesticide
- All-natural liquid soap, water, and spray bottle (optional)
The Secret to Keeping Your Poinsettia Alive ALL YEAR
FAQ
How to fix a droopy poinsettia?
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely. Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to droopy leaves. Think of it as your poinsettia going on a hunger strike. To fix this, use suitable fertilizers and soil amendments to improve leaf vitality.
Can a poinsettia come back from wilting?
With a little time and attention, you can keep a poinsettia alive to flourish again next year. Start by pruning the dead leaves to create room for new growth. Make sure the plant gets plenty of moisture and indirect sunlight, and–if you live in the right climate– introduce it to outdoor soil when the time is right.
How to refresh poinsettias?
Steps for Poinsettia RefloweringPlace plant outdoors in high indirect light after danger of frost. Cut back the stems to 3 to 4 inches to promote new growth and encourage branching. Water and fertilize as in indoor care. Bring plant indoors when night temperatures fall below 60oF (near the end of September for Durham).
Can You revive a dying poinsettia plant?
But sadly, many a poinsettia meets an untimely demise shortly after the holidays, wilting and dropping leaves. Don’t give up on your poinsettia plant just yet if it looks a little dull or even like it’s about to die. With some TLC and troubleshooting, you can often bring a dying poinsettia back to life and nurse it back to health.
How do you save a wilted Poinsettia?
Save your wilted poinsettia by placing it in a spot where there are no warm or cold drafts, as these can dry out your plant. Make sure not to put the plant anywhere that will get direct sunlight while it heals. Mist the plant twice a week to make its surroundings temporarily humid. This also protects the leaves from drying out.
Do poinsettias Wilt after the holidays?
Few plants represent the holidays like the poinsettia. Their big bright red or white bracts seem to embody the festive spirit and add a burst of color to seasonal decor. But sadly, many a poinsettia meets an untimely demise shortly after the holidays, wilting and dropping leaves.
Can You Keep A poinsettia alive after the holiday season?
People often throw away their poinsettias after the holidays are over, but the plants are still alive and well. With a little time and attention, you can keep a poinsettia alive to flourish again next year. Start by pruning the dead leaves to create room for new growth.
Can poinsettias be saved if they lose their leaves?
From experience, poinsettias can usually be saved even if it is losing their leaves and appear to be dying if the causes are underwatering or slight transplant shock, but exposure to significantly cold temperatures is likely to cause the poinsettia to die back, and it can be difficult for the poinsettia to recover.
How do you keep a poinsettia alive?
With a little time and attention, you can keep a poinsettia alive to flourish again next year. Start by pruning the dead leaves to create room for new growth. Make sure the plant gets plenty of moisture and indirect sunlight, and–if you live in the right climate– introduce it to outdoor soil when the time is right.