Poinsettias are familiar plants around the winter holidays. The bright colors of these plants chase away the dark winter days from inside, and they are easy to take care of, making them perfect for indoor gardening. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, which means that the only growing zones for them in the US according to the USDA are 9 to 11. But how hardy are poinsettias in the cold? If you want to use it as a garden accent, you need to know what temperatures will hurt or kill it.
With their bright, colorful bracts, poinsettias are a classic symbol of the holiday season. As you deck your halls this winter, you’ll want to protect your poinsettias from frosty temperatures to keep them looking their festive best.
Poinsettias are native to tropical forests in Mexico and Central America and prefer warm mild conditions. Exposure to cold can quickly damage these plants causing leaves to wilt, drop, or turn black. So what temperatures are too cold for poinsettias? How can you keep them comfortable indoors and out?
Below I’ll cover everything you need to know about poinsettia cold tolerance, including:
- Ideal temperature range
- How cold is too cold
- Hardiness zones
- Protecting plants from cold drafts
- Caring for plants after frost damage
Follow these tips to keep your holiday poinsettias happy and healthy through the chilly winter months
What’s the Ideal Temperature Range for Poinsettias?
Poinsettias thrive best with daytime temperatures of 65-70°F and around 60°F at night. Avoid major fluctuations in temperature, as these tender tropical plants prefer consistency.
Drafty locations near leaky windows or doors can rapidly chill sensitive poinsettias. Make sure to place them away from cold drafts. Similarly, heat sources like fireplaces, vents and space heaters can overheat plants if positioned too close.
Monitor poinsettias daily and move them to warmer or cooler spots in your home as needed to maintain ideal conditions. Grow lights can supplement natural light from windows in darker winter months.
How Cold is Too Cold for Poinsettia Plants?
Any temperatures below 50°F can injure poinsettias. At 50°F and below, leaves will rapidly turn pale, wilt and drop off the plant. Prolonged exposure to these cold temperatures will kill the plant entirely.
Even a brief cold snap can spell disaster for these tropical natives. For instance, leaving a poinsettia in a car overnight when temperatures dip into the 40s or 30s will likely cause irreparable damage.
If bringing home a new poinsettia from the store, protect it from the cold outdoor air by covering it in a paper bag or blanket. Make it your last shopping stop before heading straight home.
What Hardiness Zone are Poinsettias Suited For?
While poinsettias can’t withstand freezing winters outdoors, they can grow as perennials in the warm climates of USDA Zones 9-11. These zones include parts of California, Texas, the southeastern states and southwest.
If you live in Zones 9-11, you can plant poinsettias in sheltered garden beds near foundations or walls. This takes advantage of radiant heat. Apply mulch around the base to insulate roots and crowns.
Container-grown poinsettias should be brought into a garage or unheated area anytime frost is predicted. Ensure outdoor plants don’t experience temperatures below 50°F.
Protecting Indoor Poinsettias from Cold Drafts
Even if kept indoors, poinsettias can suffer chill damage if situated in the wrong spot. Identify and avoid these chilly locations in your home:
- Near leaky windows and doors where cold air seeps in
- Entryways that blast cold air whenever opened
- Next to air vents or fans blowing cold air
- Areas that fluctuate in temperature due to gaps, poor insulation
- Unheated rooms like porches, garages or basements
- Near evaporative coolers or air conditioners
Choose a room with stable, warm temperatures around 65°F to grow poinsettias. Move plants away from cold window panes that may drop the surrounding temperature. Group plants to create a warmer microclimate.
Close doors and windows in unused rooms so cold air doesn’t penetrate the rest of the house. Use towels to block gaps under doors. Maintaining stable indoor temps will keep your poinsettias happy.
What to Do if Your Poinsettia Gets Frostbitten
If a poinsettia did experience some cold damage, don’t give up hope! There’s a chance you can revive it with proper care. Here are some tips:
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Trim off any dead, damaged leaves and bracts back to healthy growth.
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Move the plant to a warm, stable environment between 65-70°F.
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Provide bright, indirect light from a sunny window or grow lights.
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Water whenever the soil feels slightly dry. Don’t oversaturate.
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Apply houseplant fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during active growth.
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Monitor for signs of new leaf growth after 2-3 weeks.
With prompt treatment, mildly damaged poinsettias may produce new leaves and recover. But those left in frigid temps for too long can’t be revived.
Keep Your Holiday Poinsettias Cozy
Avoid poinsettia heartbreak by safeguarding these tender tropicals from the cold. Stick to indoor temperatures above 50°F and shelter outdoor plants anytime frost threatens. With a little winterizing care, you can enjoy lively poinsettias all season long.
Is Poinsettia Hurt by Cold?
In their native region, poinsettias can grow up to 10 feet (3 m. ) and produce huge bushes with the characteristic flaming leaves. As houseplants, these pretty plants are usually sold in pots and don’t get much taller than a few feet. 5 to 1 m. ) in height. Once the brilliant leaves fall, you may choose to move the plant outdoors… but be cautious. Poinsettia frost damage can occur at warmer temperatures than you might realize. Poinsettias grow wild in Mexico and Guatemala, warm regions with mild nights. The blooms are actually colorful bracts that show up when the small flowers do and last for months after the flowers are gone. However, eventually, the colorful bracts will fall and you will be left with a little, green bush. If it gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C), you can move the plant outside, but poinsettia frost damage is a real risk. ). 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. Because of this, you should only grow the plant outside in the summer and bring it inside before it gets cold.
Find out when the first and last frosts happen in your area by calling the extension office in your area. This will give you an idea of when it is safe to bring the plant outdoors. Of course, you should also wait until ambient temperatures are at least 70 F. (21 C. ) during the day and are not falling below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C. ) at night. This will be within survivable poinsettia growing zones. Usually, this is from June to July in temperate zones. Warmer zones may be able to move the plant outdoors earlier. To get the plant to bloom again, keep it in its pot and pinch off any new growth that comes up during the summer. This will keep the plant small and contained. Fertilize every two weeks during summer with a liquid formula. If you live somewhere where it can get cold at night in the summer, put organic mulch around the roots. When weather reports indicate temperatures will be below poinsettia cold tolerance, move the plant indoors.
You have already won half the battle if you can get the plant inside before it gets too cold for the poinsettia. Place the plant in a dark area from 5:00 p. m. to 8:00 a. m. from October to November (around Thanksgiving). Poinsettias need 14-16 hours of darkness to promote flowering for at least 10 weeks. Keep the plant in the sun during the day, and water it even when the soil feels dry to the touch. Stop fertilizing once you see the plant begin to produce colorful bracts. With a little luck and protection from drafts and cold weather, the plant should do well and may put on a show of bright colors again.
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.