I’ve recently gotten a lot of emails from gardeners who are having trouble with poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) whose lower leaves have turned yellow and fallen off, often just a few days after they were bought. Even though the poinsettia isn’t always the easiest houseplant, it’s said to be able to “get by” for at least a month or two with the right care. Why then is yours losing its leaves so soon after you bought it?.
Poinsettias are a classic holiday plant that dazzle with their colorful bracts in shades of red, pink, white and more. But it can be disheartening when your poinsettia starts dropping leaves, leaving it looking sparse and unhealthy.
If your poinsettia is rapidly shedding its leaves, don’t despair. There are several common causes for leaf drop many of which you can correct to restore your plant’s beauty.
In this article, we will cover:
- The major reasons poinsettia leaves fall off
- How to identify and fix the underlying problem
- Tips to keep your poinsettia looking its best
With a little troubleshooting and TLC, your poinsettia can once again thrive and impress throughout the holiday season
Why Are the Leaves Falling Off My Poinsettia?
Here are the most common culprits behind poinsettia leaf drop:
Improper Watering
Too much or too little water often causes poinsettia leaves to drop. Overwatering leads to root rot, while underwatering causes the plant to dry out. Both make the lower leaves yellow and fall off.
Fix it: Check soil daily and water thoroughly when the top inch is dry. Don’t let poinsettias sit in water.
Temperature Stress
Drafts, heat vents, and rapid temperature swings can shock poinsettias, triggering leaf drop.
Fix it: Place poinsettias away from heat/AC vents, open doors and windows. Keep indoor temps around 65-75°F.
Excessive Light
Too much direct sun will scorch poinsettia leaves, causing them to yellow, brown and fall off.
Fix it: Place poinsettias in bright, indirect light. Avoid hot afternoon sun shining directly on the plant.
Low Humidity
Poinsettias prefer 40-50% humidity. Dry indoor air can dehydrate leaves, eventually causing them to drop off.
Fix it: Set the pot on a humidity tray with pebbles and water. Mist leaves daily. Run a humidifier nearby.
Pests
Spider mites, whiteflies, aphids and other sap-sucking pests will damage poinsettia foliage.
Fix it: Check under leaves for pests. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to treat infestations.
Root Rot
Overwatering leads to root rot. As roots die, the plant loses its ability to take up water, causing leaves to fall off.
Fix it: Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Improve drainage. Don’t let poinsettias sit in water.
Natural Leaf Drop
Poinsettias naturally shed older leaves. A few dropped leaves is normal and nothing to worry about.
Fix it: Simply remove the fallen leaves and monitor. As long as new foliage looks healthy, all is well.
Underlying Plant Stress
Any stressor – like cold, pests, or poor care at the store – can shock the plant, causing eventual leaf drop.
Fix it: Troubleshoot possible issues. Provide ideal care going forward. Repotting into fresh soil may help.
As you can see, many different issues can lead to poinsettias dropping leaves. By identifying the trigger and taking corrective care steps, you can restore yours to health.
How to Fix and Prevent Poinsettia Leaf Drop
Once you pinpoint the cause of your poinsettia losing leaves, here are some general tips to fix and prevent the problem:
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Water carefully – Check soil daily, water thoroughly when dry. Don’t over- or underwater.
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Pick the right spot – Place out of drafts and direct sun in a room with temps around 65-75°F.
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Increase humidity – Use a humidifier or pebble tray. Mist leaves daily.
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Control pests – Quarantine and treat any poinsettias with signs of pests. Check under leaves.
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Add drainage – Repot in a container with bottom drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Fertilize lightly – Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at 1/2 strength every 2-3 weeks.
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Avoid damage – Don’t place poinsettias near heat vents, expose to cold, or let leaves touch icy windows.
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Remove dropped leaves – Fallen foliage can harbor pests and diseases. Pick it up promptly.
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Bring to a greenhouse – If struggling to grow poinsettias, ask a local greenhouse for advice or consider purchasing from them next season.
Growing healthy, vibrant poinsettias relies heavily on providing the right care and conditions. Pay close attention to your plant’s needs, correct any issues immediately, and it will reward you with lasting beauty through the holidays and hopefully longer!
How to Choose a Healthy Poinsettia
Picking a robust poinsettia from the start gives you a head start on preventing leaf drop. Here what to look for when selecting a poinsettia:
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Abundant, lush foliage down to the soil line
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Little to no dropped or yellowed leaves
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Plenty of colorful, undamaged bracts
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Avoid plants displayed in drafty spots or with browning leaves
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Choose a size you can transport safely to avoid cold injury
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Inspect under leaves and soil for any signs of pests
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Opt for an established plant vs. younger mini-poinsettias
Taking a bit of time upfront to choose a healthy poinsettia will help ensure it lasts through the holidays and beyond!
How Long Do Poinsettias Last?
With proper care, poinsettias will retain their colorful bracts and foliage for 6-8 weeks or longer indoors. Mini poinsettia plants usually last just 2-3 weeks. Once flowers fade, continue caring for poinsettias as houseplants until spring arrives.
When nights exceed 10 hours in spring, poinsettias naturally decline as days lengthen. At this point, the plant has served its annual purpose. Compost it and make room for fun new plants!
The Takeaway on Poinsettia Leaves Falling Off
If your poinsettia starts dropping leaves, don’t assume it’s doomed. A bit of troubleshooting to pinpoint the issue and taking corrective action can get your plant back to its former glory. Maintain proper growing conditions and care to keep your poinsettia going strong.
A leafless poinsettia just needs some TLC. With a little time and attention, its bare stems will once again be adorned with lush green foliage and colorful holiday bracts that will brighten your home.
Problem #8: Lack of Light After the holidays, give poinsettias bright light with at least some direct sun. Photo: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
In the long run, this problem doesn’t show up because it takes a poinsettia about three or four weeks in shade or partial shade before it starts to lose its lower leaves. Because of this, a poinsettia can be used almost anywhere in the house during the holidays, even in a dark corner. But if you want your poinsettia to remain in good condition until spring, it will need good light.
Solution: After Christmas, put your poinsettia somewhere it will get enough light, including at least a few hours of sun a day. For example, put it near a sunny window.
A Symptom of Stress
Leaf drop in the poinsettia is a symptom of stress. The plant is not happy and shows its displeasure by dropping leaves. Usually, it’s the lower leaves that are sacrificed first. They turn yellow and off they fall. Then, if the stressor isn’t fixed, the leaves will slowly fall off the plant until it’s almost completely bare, with only a few green leaves and colored bracts on top.
So much for the symptoms. What is this stress? Here are 10 ideas, starting with the main reason leaves fall off.
How do you keep poinsettias from dropping leaves?
FAQ
How do you keep poinsettias from dropping leaves?
Will a poinsettia come back after losing its leaves?
What does an overwatered poinsettia look like?
Why are my poinsettia leaves curling and falling off?
Why is my Poinsettia dropping its leaves?
If your poinsettia is dropping its leaves, it’s time to investigate what could be going wrong for your plant. Once you know the most common reasons for poinsettia leaf drop, you can hopefully nurse your favorite Christmas plant back to good health. 1. Over or underwatering
How do you stop foliar failure of a poinsettia?
Really, this is the reason we purchase the poinsettia, for its bright color. In order to stop foliar fail, consider its water levels. Too much water is a stress for the plant, as is high humidity. It is important to remove the foil wrapper when watering the plant. Failure to do so will trap excess moisture and can cause leaf drop due to root rot.
Do poinsettias lose their leaves?
Jean Bloom, a blogger at Gardening FAQs and an avid gardener for over 30 years, explains that ‘poinsettias typically lose their leaves when subjected to rapid temperature fluctuations, drafts, or very cool or dry environments.’ If you keep your poinsettia on a windowsill, make sure the window isn’t drafty and isn’t opened frequently.
Why are my poinsettia leaves turning yellow?
If you see any of your poinsettia leaves turning yellow, underwatering might also be a reason. Removing any drooping or yellowing leaves will help the plant redirect its energy to produce new, healthier growth. This is a key reason why your poinsettia might decide to drop some of its leaves.
