MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With their vivid colors and deep holiday roots, poinsettias remain one of the most recognizable plants of the season in West Virginia. Keeping them healthy through the holidays—and even for many years—is easier than many people think.
Sven Verlinden, an associate professor at West Virginia University in Morgantown, said poinsettias can stay vibrant well beyond Christmas with proper light, temperature, and watering.
What makes poinsettias different
Did you know that all poinsettias were once red? “You may find that poinsettias can come in different colors other than the traditional red—like pink, white, or green. This is because of mutation breeding,” Verlinden said.
“The bright red part of the poinsettia isn’t actually the flower; it’s a cluster of modified leaves known as bracts. The tiny yellow buds in the center are the true flowers.”
How much light and heat do they need?
Light is one of the most critical factors in poinsettia care, Verlinden said. He recommends placing plants in a bright but cool area of the home, such as near a north- or west-facing window.
“Around 60 to 65 degrees is the ideal temperature, but regular indoor temperatures, around 70 to 72 degrees, are perfectly fine,” he said.
Cold can quickly damage poinsettias
While poinsettias are associated with winter holidays, they are susceptible to cold. Verlinden said exposure to extreme temperatures, even briefly, can cause leaves to droop or fall.
“If you’re picking up or gifting poinsettias this holiday season, start your car before transporting them,” he said. “Cold shock can damage the plants very quickly.”
How to avoid overwatering
Watering is another area where poinsettias are often unintentionally harmed. Native to a semi-arid region of Mexico, poinsettias do not tolerate wet soil.
“Every three or four days, they should be watered,” Verlinden said. “They can easily get overwatered, so that’s one of the things to really pay attention to.”
Verlinden recommends a hands-on approach to determine when watering is needed.
“Like using a toothpick to see if a cake is done, you can stick your finger in the soil,” he said. “Only water them when the top inch of soil has dried out completely.”
History behind the poinsettia
Beyond their decorative appeal, poinsettias have a long cultural history. Verlinden said the plant was used by the Aztecs for religious, ceremonial, medicinal, and dye purposes long before it became associated with Christmas.
“The poinsettia wasn’t introduced in the United States until the 1820s by Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador in Mexico,” he said.
A Christmas tradition in the U.S.
The plant’s rise as a holiday staple came later, driven by commercial innovation. Verlinden said a California greenhouse operation known as Ecke Ranch played a significant role in shaping the modern poinsettia.
“They first grew tall poinsettias to be used as cut flowers,” he said. “Then they developed new varieties that could grow a lot smaller and fuller, ideal for use in pots. To popularize the plant, they sent poinsettias to TV studios nationwide during the holiday season.”
Today, poinsettias remain a seasonal symbol in homes across West Virginia and the nation, and with a bit of care, Verlinden said, they can stay healthy and colorful well into the new year.
How long can poinsettias live indoors?
Short answer: many years—even decades—if cared for properly indoors. A plant that is wintered indoors and cared for year-round can live 5–10 years, and in some cases 20 years or more. Botanically, it’s a perennial tropical shrub, not a short-lived seasonal plant.
Jerry Goodspeed of the extension office at Utah State University says most plants in the U.S. are discarded after the holidays, which is why many people assume they only last a few months. But there's a formula for keeping them.
📏 How big can they get indoors?
- Typical indoor size: 2–4 feet tall
- With long-term care: 6–10 feet tall over several years
- In tropical climates (outdoors): up to 10–15 feet
- Indoors, older plants often develop woody stems and resemble small shrubs or trees.
🌞 What helps them live longer
To keep a poinsettia growing year after year indoors:
- Bright, indirect light year-round
- Moderate watering (allow soil to dry slightly)
- Pruning in spring to encourage branching
- Warm temperatures (above ~55°F)
- Darkness treatment in fall (12–14 hours of uninterrupted darkness nightly for 8–10 weeks) to help it redden. Without the fall darkness cycle, the plant will still live; it just won’t rebloom with colored bracts.
🧠 Key takeaway
- Holiday lifespan: weeks to months
- Indoor perennial lifespan: many years
- Potential size: shrub-like over time
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