The key points in caring for your poinsetta houseplant (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are adequate light, care in watering and stable temperatures, both day and night.  For best results, maintain 65°-70°F during the day; 55°-60°F at night. Your plants should get 4 hours of direct sunlight daily and be watered only after the top of the soil has dried out. Environmental humidity above 50% is desirable.

In order to induce a poinsettia into bloom for the next season, grow it in a sunny location. After all danger of frost is past it can be grown in a partially sunny location outside. Continue to fertilize it and be sure to pinch back the growing tips to induce bushiness. Bring it back indoors before frost and subject it to 14 hours of total darkness each night until the bracts begin to show color. Then it can be brought into the light and treated as a houseplant.The darkness must be uninterrupted each night or the buds will fail to form. To insure success, keep the night temperatures low and don't forget to expose the plant to light each day after the 14 hours of darkness.

For additional information on poinsetta care please refer to our guides Care of Holiday Gift Plants and Popular Houseplant Profiles.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information