How to Choose the Perfect Poinsettia Plant

How to Choose the Perfect Poinsettia Plant

During the holiday season, you can buy a poinsettia plant almost everywhere. Grocery stores, warehouse clubs, home improvement stores, big-box retailers, pharmacies, you name it.

With so many outlets selling poinsettias, how do you know if you’re getting a good quality plant for your money?

The quick video walks you through how to choose the perfect poinsettia, even if you have never shopped for one before.

It shows you a few tips on what to look for that even surprised me. 🙂

I think you are going to truly love this video, especially if you love poinsettia plants. Check it out and see if you feel the same.

I hope you liked the video and came away with some new information on choosing a poinsettia plant. To quickly recap:

If you are looking to purchase a poinsettia plant for yourself or as a gift, and want to get the best value for you hard earned dollar, here’s a couple of things to look for:

• When choosing a poinsettia, look for ones that have dark green foliage and fully-colored bracts.
• The best poinsettia plants are ones that are full and balanced. Look for one that’s about 2 1/2 times taller than the the pot it’s in, and looks good from all sides. A poinsettia plant that has not been pinched back will tend to have more flowers, but the flowers will be noticeably smaller.
• Look for a poinsettia plant that is just starting to flower. Check the base of the bract. New flowers are green and red-tipped. Poinsettia bracts maintain their color much longer if you select one that is in the beginning stages of flowering.
• Avoid plants that have droopy or yellow leaves, or plants that are wilted with moist soil. This is a sure sign that the plant is under stress.
• Always have your poinsettia wrapped if the temperature is below 50 degrees (F) outside.
• After purchasing, don’t leave the plant wrapped for a long period of time. A poinsettia plant that is left wrapped or sleeved will deteriorate quickly.

One other quick tip – many non-floral outlets, from convenience stores to big-box stores use poinsettias as “loss leaders” or impulse sale items. They are normally placed near a cold and drafty entrance or exit area. These are not ideal conditions for any indoor plant, especially not for poinsettias. And judging by the plants I see in these stores, I’m pretty certain most, if not all of them, have a “no water” policy.

You may find a really good deal on a poinsettia in these stores, but remember, you do get what you pay for.

If you really care about getting a quality, locally-grown plant from a trusted source, pay a visit to your local florist. When it comes to poinsettias, they’re the real experts.

Hopefully, these tips will help you find a quality poinsettia plant at a great price.

If you’re looking for tips on caring for your poinsettia, you can find more information here: Poinsettia Care Tips

Any tips you want to share? Leave your comment below.