These tips will keep your poinsettia’s leaves lush and vibrant.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are iconic holiday plants known for their beautiful red leaves and small yellow flowers. Although poinsettias are often purchased for just one season and thrown away, they can last for years if properly cared for. One way to keep your poinsettia healthy is to make sure it gets enough water. Here’s how often to water poinsettias, according to gardening experts.

Meet the expert

Related: How to Keep Your Poinsettias Alive for the Holidays and Beyond

How often to water the poinsettia

Poinsettia plants should be watered when the top of the soil is dry. You can test the dryness of the soil by inserting a finger into it or picking up the pot. “The wetter it is, the heavier it will be,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms.

Check the soil daily to make sure it is still moist. How often the soil dries depends on various factors, including light, temperature and humidity, but poinsettias generally need water about once a week.

How to Water a Poinsettia

Top watering is the best way to give poinsettia plants a drink. To do this, slowly water the surface of the soil with a watering can or by placing it under the sink and allow the water to settle into the soil, says Adrienne Roethling, a plant expert and former director of the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering this way.

Factors to Consider When Watering Poinsettia

How often you water poinsettias depends on several factors, including sunlight, soil type, container size and temperature.

Sun

The amount of sunlight a poinsettia receives will determine how quickly the soil dries. “The more light your poinsettia gets, the more energy it has to grow. The bigger it grows, the more water it will use,” says Hancock. “A poinsettia placed on a bright, sunny windowsill will likely need more water than the same poinsettia in the room where it doesn’t get as much light.”

Soil type

Poinsettias are primarily grown in coco or peat-based potting mixes that have a high moisture retention capacity, Hancock says. If it is potted in soil that does not retain moisture as well, it needs to be watered more frequently.

Container size

The size of the container also dictates how often you should water a poinsettia. “Potting soil is like a sponge that absorbs water so the roots can extract it. The bigger the sponge, the longer it will take to dry,” says Hancock. “So a plant of the same size will stay moist longer in a larger container than in a smaller one.” With this in mind, the more root bound a poinsettia is, the quicker it dries, regardless of the size of the container.

Temperature and humidity

Generally, poinsettias prefer temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, Roethling says. The hotter and drier your climate is, the more water your plant will need. Avoid placing your poinsettia near areas of your home that are too hot (like near the fireplace) and places that are too cold (like near the front door).

Signs Your Poinsettia is Underwatered

A submerged poinsettia usually has faded foliage, Roethling says. If you notice the leaves appear wilted, pick up the plant to test its weight or stick a finger into the soil. “However, don’t let your plant wilt for more than a day and try not to let it wilt between waterings,” she says. “A leaf will become stressed and eventually drop with excessive wilting.”

Signs Your Poinsettia is Overwatered

One of the most obvious signs that your poinsettia is overwatered is if the soil is really wet or oversaturated. An overwatered poinsettia can also wilt as the roots suffocate and die. “The roots absorb moisture so the plant can use it. If the roots start to die, there is not enough root mass to absorb enough water to support the leaves. As such, you You will often see yellowing and leaf drop on an overwatered plant,” says Hancock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do poinsettias need a lot of sun?

Poinsettias like lots of bright light, but should not be placed in direct sun. Make sure light reaches the lower parts of the plant to prevent lower leaves from falling, says Roethling. Turn your plant over a few times a week so that bright light can reach all sides of the plant.

Can you overwater a poinsettia?

Yes, you can water a poinsettia. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and allow water to drain from the bottom, says Roethling.

Where is the best place to put a poinsettia?

Place your poinsettia in a bright location away from hot or cold drafts.

How long does a poinsettia live?

With good care, a poinsettia can live for years, Hancock says.