Poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima, are gorgeous plants to have around during the holidays. It is also important to keep them from getting too cold so they stay healthy, happy, and colorful for as long as possible.
Do you live in an old, drafty house like I do? If so, you may want to make sure you can find a place to keep your Christmas flower from getting cold.
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You might be thinking about whether to keep your plant as a houseplant after the holidays or plant it outside, if the weather permits.
You might also be wondering if you can put one of these beautiful winter bloomers next to your front door in the winter as part of your holiday decor.
Before you put your Christmas star somewhere, whether it’s inside or outside as part of your decor, you should make sure that the winter conditions will be good for this plant.
Christmas poinsettias come from the tropical forests of Mexico and Guatemala. They do best when the temperature is mild, between 65°F and 70°F.
If it gets below 50°F, though, even cold weather above freezing can hurt Christmas flowers. They’ll start to lose their leaves.
A plant that has lost its leaves after being exposed to cold temperatures for a short time may be able to grow back, but poinsettias can’t survive long-term exposure to temperatures below 50°F.
If you’re looking for the best place to put your Christmas star inside, stay away from drafty spots like those next to cool windows that make the air cooler.
You should also keep these winter bloomers away from doors and windows, where they may be damaged by the cold air that comes in and out as doors open and close.
If you want to keep them as houseplants, you should also keep them away from places that get very hot, like fireplaces or other heat sources.
As far as the Christmas flower is concerned, warmer isn’t necessarily better. As mentioned, the ideal temperature range for them to thrive is 65 to 70°F without any drastic swings.
If you live somewhere with mild winters, on the other hand, you might want to try poinsettias outside; they are hardy in Zones 9–11.
Along the coasts of the Pacific Northwest, California, southern Texas, and some parts of the Gulf Coast are in this range. It also includes parts of the southeast.
In these locations, they can typically survive outside, either planted in the garden or in a pot.
Before you put your Christmas flower outside or on your porch, check again to make sure it’s safe for that area.
The USDA Agricultural Research Service has an interactive growing zone map that you can use to find out what zone you are in. All you have to do is type in your zip code.
Read this to find out more about USDA Hardiness Zones and how they’ve changed over time.
Poinsettias are a holiday staple, with their bright red and green foliage brightening up homes and public spaces during the winter months. But these tropical natives need special care when it comes to cold temperatures. In this article I’ll provide a complete guide to poinsettia cold tolerance and how to keep these plants happy when the weather outside is frightful.
Understanding Poinsettia Cold Sensitivity
Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America where temperatures stay mild year-round. As such, they don’t tolerate cold weather very well. Here are some key facts about poinsettia cold hardiness:
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Ideal temperatures are between 65-70°F Fluctuating temperatures can damage poinsettias
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Temperatures below 50°F can cause poinsettias to drop leaves. Prolonged exposure can kill the plant
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Poinsettias are only hardy in USDA zones 9-11. Any colder and they likely won’t survive winter outdoors.
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Even in zones 9-11, poinsettias need protection if temperatures drop below 50°F.
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Cold drafts, being kept near cold windows, or proximity to doors that let in cold air can chill poinsettias even when indoor temps are in the ideal range.
Caring for Indoor Poinsettias in Cold Weather
If you want to keep a poinsettia as a houseplant during and after the holidays, protecting it from cold indoor air is crucial. Here are some tips:
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Choose a room with stable temperatures between 65-70°F. The best spots are often centrally located rooms away from drafts.
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Avoid placing poinsettias near cold windows, doors, or vents. Even if the room temperature is warm overall, cold radiating from these spots can damage poinsettias.
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Keep poinsettias away from heat sources like fireplaces or appliances. Too much dry heat can damage poinsettias just like cold.
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Move poinsettias away from heavily trafficked areas. Opening doors that let in blasts of cold air multiple times per day can harm poinsettias.
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Use furnishings or decorations to block cold drafts. Placing poinsettias out of the path of drafts can help protect them.
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Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Keep day and night temperatures within the ideal 65-70°F range.
With some strategic placement and temperature monitoring, you can keep your poinsettia looking festive and healthy while indoors even when it’s cold outside.
Displaying Poinsettias Outdoors in Cold Climates
In climates where winter temperatures routinely drop below 50°F, poinsettias won’t survive being left outdoors. However, you can still display poinsettias outside as part of your holiday decor if you take the right precautions:
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Only keep poinsettias outside for brief periods. A few hours of outdoor display time won’t hurt the plants as long as they go back inside where it’s warm.
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Protect poinsettias from wind and precipitation. Use covered porches or keep poinsettias tucked against the house or under overhangs.
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Avoid putting poinsettias outside overnight. Even if temperatures stay above freezing, prolonged exposure to temps under 50°F can damage poinsettias.
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Check the forecast before putting poinsettias outside. If temperatures are expected to approach 50°F or dip below, keep poinsettias inside.
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Keep poinsettias on rolling carts or wagons. This makes it easy to quickly move plants back indoors if conditions get too cold.
With frequent monitoring and by limiting outdoor time, you can safely display poinsettias for short periods even in cold winter weather. Just be ready to roll them back inside at the first sign of shivering!
Landscaping with Poinsettias in Warm Climates
In USDA zones 9-11 where winter temperatures remain above 50°F, poinsettias can be incorporated right into the garden. Here’s how to successfully landscape with poinsettias in these warm climates:
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Choose sheltered microclimates. Locations protected from wind and frosty pockets of cold allow you to push the limits of poinsettia cold tolerance.
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Plant in raised beds for drainage. Standing water and soggy soil can damage poinsettia roots in winter.
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Mulch heavily around the base. Mulch insulates roots and protects plants if cold does penetrate deeper into the soil.
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Cover plants if hard freezes are forecast. Use frost cloth, burlap, or cloches to protect plants when outlying cold is expected.
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Bring potted plants indoors or under shelter. Containerized plants are more vulnerable to cold damage than in-ground plantings.
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Trim damaged portions in spring. Remove dead stems and leaves so plants can focus energy on new growth.
With the right microclimate and winter protections, poinsettias can add vibrant holiday color to warm climate gardens year after year.
Reviving Cold Damaged Poinsettias
Even with the best care, poinsettias may occasionally get exposed to chillier than ideal temperatures. Here’s what to do if your plant shows signs of cold damage:
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Trim off dead or damaged leaves and stems. This prevents disease and helps the plant direct energy into healing.
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Move the poinsettia to a warm, stable environment between 65-70°F. Avoid drafts or temperature fluctuations.
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Continue regular watering. Don’t overwater damaged plants but don’t let them dry out either.
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Fertilize once new growth appears. Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer to support recovery.
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Prune back heavily in spring. Remove all cold-damaged stems so the plant can reset for new growth.
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Monitor for signs of continued decline. Discard plants that fail to show new, healthy growth after several weeks indoors.
With quick action and attentive care, you can nurse cold-damaged poinsettias back to health. But recovery will depend on the severity of damage and overall plant health.
When to Discard Cold-Stressed Poinsettias
While you can revive poinsettias from moderate cold damage, severely damaged plants usually can’t be saved. Discard poinsettias if:
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All leaves and stems have shriveled and died.
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The soil smells foul, indicating dead roots.
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New growth fails to appear over 2-3 weeks despite ideal care.
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Stems remain limp and discolored rather than firming up.
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You notice signs of fungal infection like mold, rot, or cankers.
If a poinsettia suffers extensive leaf drop or its stems totally collapse, the cold spell was likely too much for it to handle. Don’t prolong the inevitable by trying to nurse a plant that won’t recover.
Protecting Poinsettias from Cold Is Key
While poinsettias add a festive pop of color during the holidays, these tropical natives need special consideration when temperatures take a dip. Follow these tips to keep your poinsettias warm and thriving no matter how frosty it gets outside your door. With proper care, you can enjoy these holiday plants for many seasons to come.
Keeping Your Plant Comfortable
Even in Zones 9 to 11, temperatures still sometimes fall below poinsettia’s lower comfort limit of 50°F.
Because of this, you might need to find a microclimate in your yard—a place that is warmer than others, like in front of a south-facing wall—so that your Christmas star has a better chance of surviving in the weather.
During the winter, putting mulch over the plant’s roots will also help it stay alive, even if a cold snap bites its stems.
If your poinsettias are in pots or planters outside instead of in the ground, keep an eye on the weather during cold spells and be ready to bring them inside if the temperature drops below 50°F.
How cold is too cold for poinsettias?
FAQ
What is the lowest temperature poinsettias can tolerate?
At what temperature should poinsettias be brought inside?
When can I put my poinsettia outside?
Do poinsettias like sun or shade?
How cold can a poinsettia grow?
In general, poinsettias can tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is suitable for both indoor and outdoor plants. It is important to note, however, that the plant may suffer if exposed to temperatures colder than 55 degrees for an extended period of time.
What happens if a poinsettia is cold tolerant?
At this range, the cold hardiness of poinsettias is below its tolerant point and leaves will drop. If the plant experiences sustained temperatures of 50 F. (10 C.) or below, the entire root system will likely be killed. For this reason, only grow the plant outdoors in summer and make sure it is back inside before any chance of cold appears.
Are poinsettias happiest in cold weather?
Here’s what I’ll cover: Originating in the tropical forests of Mexico and Guatemala, poinsettias are happiest when temperatures are mild, in a nice comfortable range of between 65 to 70°F. In their native Latin American habitat, they don’t experience freezing temperatures.
How do you keep poinsettias healthy in cold weather?
Here are some tips to help you keep your poinsettias healthy in cold weather: Move the poinsettias indoors. If temperatures dip below 55 degrees, it is best to move your poinsettias indoors. This will help keep them at a more comfortable temperature and can also protect them from potential frost damage. Provide extra insulation.