Euphorbia pulcherrima
Poinsettia, Christmas flower, Christmas star, Mexican flameleaf, Painted leaf
- Height × spread
- 3m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Winter, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is the species from which forms of the popular Christmas houseplant are derived. In its Mexican and Central American homeland it can reach 3 metres in height and carries its bright red leaves on multiple stems so it can be an exciting specimen plant. The true flowers are the tiny yellow clusters at the centre of the 'flower' whilst the colourful surround are technically 'bracts'. The plants have handsome dark green leaves with horizontal veining and regular jagged edges. A mature plant will get leggy as the lower stems lose their leaves. This is too tender for outdoor cultivation in the United Kingdom.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Architectural
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Using a balanced houseplant fertiliser, feed at alternate waterings.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Don't water while dormant
Keep the compost or the plant tuber, rhizome or bulb completely dry when the plant is dormant.
The plant requires a rest period in order to thrive. Watering at this time may prevent dormancy, or may induce rot or disease.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, and fine bark.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).
Found in
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