Monty Don shares how to keep Christmas poinsettias 'looking good for months'
Monty Don shared tips to care for poinsettias
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Poinsettias are a welcome burst of colour in the home over the Christmas period.
They can be a particularly difficult plant to care for, but some tips can help them last "for months".
Gardening expert Monty Don explained it is possible to keep poinsettias "looking good" well past Christmas.
He explained they are "only really comfortable" in damp warmth, so keeping them in hot, dry spots should be avoided.
They can last for months if cared for properly
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Monty said: "They do not like cool nights, very hot dry rooms or big fluctuations in temperatures.
"So keep them where there is a constant average temperature, avoiding draughts, cold windows or even very bright spots that can get very hot in the middle of the day."
Finding the perfect spot in your home will help poinsettias to live longer.
It is important to keep them well watered but waiting for the right moment to soak them is key.
"They like plenty of water but let the compost dry out before giving them a really good soak," Monty wrote in his December 2023 blog.
"[Stand] the pot in a sink full of water and leave it to stand for 10 minutes or so before letting the excess water drain from the pot."
What gardeners need to do outside changes with the seasons and December is a quieter month for gardening jobs.
The expert explained what he "always does" at this time of year.
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Poinsettias are a common plant in winter
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"Christmas comes and we ransack the garden for greenery, deck the halls, put up a tree, make wreaths.
"Boxing Day feels like a fresh start," the expert continued.
"In fact I always sow some seeds on Boxing Day - onions, chillies, some tomatoes - as much as a symbolic act as serious horticulture."