There are few houseplants more synonymous with Christmas than poinsettias. But, these holiday plants are notorious for being tricky to keep alive. Temperature fluctuations, incorrect watering, and too little light will see them fade quickly. However, there's one trick to keeping them happy for longer: knowing where to place a poinsettia.
To look after a poinsettia successfully, you need to meet a few essential requirements. This includes providing a bright, warm spot, but it isn't the only consideration. Poinsettias also have a place in promoting positive Feng Shui. They're representative of generosity, warmth, and celebration, making them ideal for central placement during the festive season.
Not getting poinsettia placement right can therefore be a big poinsettia mistake, both for the health of the plant and for the impact on the energy in your home. Here, a Feng Shui expert imparts her wisdom on where to place a poinsettia to reap its rewards this holiday season.
Where to Place a Poinsettia
It's no secret that poinsettias are hard to look after, having dramatic reactions to changes in their environment.
They're native to Mexico and Central America, found in tropical rainforests. There, they soak up partial sun beneath the canopies of trees, allowing their vibrant bracts (modified leaves often mistaken for flowers) to maintain their color.
They also experience high humidity in this natural environment, thriving best in levels between 40-75%.
In the home, you want to attempt to recreate these conditions as much as possible.
This includes using methods to increase humidity levels for your poinsettia, from using a humidity tray (from Amazon) to placing it in a bathroom.
As for light, don't be hesitant to place your poinsettia somewhere bright, but make sure it's away from direct sun which may cause leaf scorch.
You should also maintain a room temperature of 60-72°F for your poinsettia. Sudden drops in temperature can cause your poinsettia to drop leaves, so avoid paths of drafts and cold windows.
It's also worth noting you'll need to put your poinsettia in the dark for about 12-14 hours each day for around six to eight weeks before the festive season.
This will trigger 'flowering' when the plant is placed somewhere bright and the poinsettia will put out new bright red leaves.
What Feng Shui Says About Poinsettia Placement
Many holiday houseplants are Feng Shui plants and can enhance the festive feeling in your home.
For poinsettias, Feng Shui Expert Hannah Yang says, 'They are a symbol of joy, vitality, and life force energy, especially during winter. They also have a strong association with generosity and gifting.'
For this reason, Hannah says where to place a poinsettia is much like where to place a Christmas cactus.
'Their red leaves represent warmth, love, and celebration rather than aggression (sometimes red is associated with anger and aggression, but this is not the case with poinsettias),' Hannah describes.
'Similar to the Christmas cactus, poinsettias do well in more active, social places of the home such as living, family, and dining rooms. They also do well greeting occupants of the home and guests in a foyer or entryway,' she adds.
You can also look at the Feng Shui energy map to decide where to place a poinsettia.
'As far as placement goes, according to the bagua where the map lines up with the front door of the home, any of the back three guas of the home are great for a poinsettia placement,' says Hannah.
'In the back center, we have the fame and reputation gua, and red happens to be the predominant color of this gua so poinsettias are a natural match to support confidence and visibility.
'In the back right of the home is the relationships gua, with themes of love, generosity, and emotional warmth. Placement of a poinsettia here is especially fitting during the holiday season.
'And the back left, the wealth corner, is also great for placement. During the holidays it represents flourishing resources and festive abundance
A healthy plant here reinforces growth and enjoyment of prosperity,' Hannah advises.
It's also a Feng Shui houseplant mistake to ignore the needs of your plant. 'The health of the plant is key for what you’d like it to represent,' says Hannah.
For this reason, you should keep on top of poinsettia care, providing sufficient light and warmth, and making sure to water your poinsettia only when the top two inches of soil have dried out.
You can use this soil moisture meter (from Amazon) to check your poinsettia's soil before watering.
FAQs
Why Has My Poinsettia Turned Green?
The main reason for your poinsettia turning green is that it hasn't received a sufficient period of darkness. This essential period (around 12-14 hours daily for six to eight weeks) triggers new, colorful growth in the festive season. It's vital these hours of darkness are uninterrupted to ensure the bracts turn out bright.
After enjoying your poinsettia's display this festive season, follow our guide to keep your poinsettia alive for next Christmas.
Poinsettia Care Essentials
Use this vintage floral plant pot to uplift your poinsettia display. It has a drainage hole to remove excess water, supporting healthy growth.
