Do You Water Poinsettias from the Top or Bottom? A Complete Guide
Poinsettias are a popular holiday plant known for their colorful bracts that come in shades of red, pink, white, and more With their lush green leaves and bright bracts, poinsettias make festive additions to holiday décor. However, keeping these plants looking their best requires proper care, especially when it comes to watering So when it comes to watering poinsettias, should you water from the top or the bottom?
Watering poinsettias can seem tricky since they are sensitive to both under and overwatering. However, with the right technique, you can keep your poinsettia hydrated and healthy. In this article, we’ll cover whether it’s better to water poinsettias from the top or bottom and provide tips for optimal watering.
Overview of Watering Poinsettias
In general poinsettias should be watered whenever the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. The soil should be thoroughly moistened during watering until water drains freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Any excess water that collects in the saucer or foil pot wrap should be discarded after about 30 minutes to prevent the plant from sitting in standing water.
Poinsettias prefer a soil moisture level that is evenly damp but not soggy wet. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering causes wilting and leaf drop. Checking the soil daily and watering when the top inch is dry is a good rule of thumb.
Top Watering
Top watering refers to applying water directly onto the soil surface rather than into the drainage holes. This wets the soil from the top down. Top watering is generally convenient and avoids having to move the plant.
To top water a poinsettia:
- Place the plant in the sink or bathtub to contain any spills
- Remove decorative pot wraps
- Use a watering can or pitcher to slowly pour water over the soil surface, giving time for it to absorb. Avoid flooding.
- Add enough water so it drains freely from the bottom drainage holes. This ensures the entire soil area is moistened.
- Allow any excess water to drain completely for 30 minutes before returning the plant to its display spot.
- Discard any water left in the outer pot or plant saucer.
The main drawback of top watering is that it can sometimes be difficult to moisten the entire soil area thoroughly, especially with a dense leaf canopy. The foliage and thick soil surface tend to obstruct water penetration.
Bottom Watering
Bottom watering involves applying water directly into the drainage holes so that it soaks upwards from the bottom. This technique ensures water penetrates the entire soil area.
To bottom water a poinsettia:
- Fill a sink, tub, or bucket with several inches of water.
- Remove any decorative foil wrap and place the poinsettia pot in the water, submerging about 1/4 of the pot.
- Allow the plant to soak for about 15-30 minutes until the soil surface darkens and feels damp about 1 inch down.
- Lift the plant out and allow excess water to drain completely for 30 minutes before returning it to its display spot. Discard any outer pot water.
The main advantage of bottom watering is thoroughly moistening the entire soil area even if the foliage is dense. It also minimizes spills and is easier for larger plants. The disadvantage is needing to move the plant.
Which Method is Best?
Both top and bottom watering are effective methods for watering poinsettias. In general, bottom watering provides more even saturation while top watering is more convenient.
For best results, use a combination based on specific needs:
- Bottom water weekly or biweekly to soak the entire soil mass. This prevents drying out.
- Top water whenever the soil surface becomes dry on other days. This maintains ideal moisture.
- Always dump out collected saucer water after 30 minutes.
- Check soil daily and adjust watering frequency based on your conditions.
Other tips for watering poinsettias:
- Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry. Wet leaves at night encourage disease.
- Use room temperature filtered water if possible. Cold tap water can shock roots.
- Add water until it flows from the drainage holes. This ensures full saturation.
- Wilting warrants immediate thorough re-watering.
- Water more frequently in high light, low humidity, or high temperature environments.
Common Watering Issues
Underwatering and overwatering are both detrimental to poinsettias. Here are some telltale signs of each problem:
Underwatering
- Soil remains dry 1 inch down
- Pot feels very lightweight
- Leaves droop, wilt, or curl
- Leaf edges turn brown
- Lower leaves drop
- Flower bracts shrivel or fade
Overwatering
- Soil stays soggy wet for days
- Pot feels heavy
- Lower leaves yellow and drop
- Roots rot – turn brown and mushy
- White fungal growth on soil
- Foul odor from pot
By understanding the best watering techniques and providing general care, you can keep poinsettias looking their best throughout the holidays and after. Pay attention to soil moisture and water sufficiently without oversaturation for the healthiest plant possible.
Should I fertilize my poinsettia plant?
Do not fertilize during the holiday season and subsequent winter months, especially while the plant is still flowering and displaying its colorful bracts.
If you decide to grow the plant year-round, a water-soluble or granular flowering plant food can be applied per package instructions April-November.
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The Christmas Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the most popular holiday plant in the United States. Its festive color will last the entire holiday season and stretch well into winter, if you provide the simple support it needs including the right mix of light, room temperature, and water. If you purchased a poinsettia or received a poinsettia as a gift, read on to learn how easy it is to keep it alive all winter so you can enjoy it as long as you like.
How to Water a Poinsettia
FAQ
How to tell if poinsettia is over or under watered?
Frequency: Typically, poinsettias need water once a week, but this can vary based on the humidity and temperature in your home. Signs of Over/Under-Watering: Yellowing leaves indicate over-watering, while wilting shows under-watering. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Why are my poinsettia leaves curling and falling off?
A. Poinsettias will classically drop their leaves if they are exposed to sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms.
How do you keep poinsettias alive indoors?
Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day.
Do poinsettias need a lot of water?
Poinsettias prefer to stay evenly moist but never wet or soggy. It’s better to err on the side of under watering rather than to overdo it. Learning the signs of drought stress or overwatering can help you understand how to give yours the perfect amount. Overwatering is a main cause of death for poinsettias.
How do you water a poinsettia plant?
Watering poinsettias is like watering most houseplants: you pour water into the top of the container and keep adding water until it starts coming out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. But when it comes to these plants, often sold in grocery stores as short-term decorations, you’ll need to take a few other steps.
Are You overwatering a poinsettia?
If the plant has soil that doesn’t drain well, the pot lacks adequate drain holes, or you allow the plant to sit in a saucer in water, you are effectively overwatering a poinsettia. What does a poinsettia look like when it needs water?
Can you put ice cubes on top of a poinsettia?
While some people like to put ice cubes on top of a plant’s soil and let them water the plant as they melt, it’s not recommended for poinsettias. It’s hard to make sure you water thoroughly with this method, and poinsettias are particularly finicky about their water needs. Should you water poinsettias from the top or bottom?
How do you care for a poinsettia plant?
Let your poinsettia soak. An easy way to ensure poinsettias receive ample moisture at watering time is to set the plant—removing the decorative pot cover first—in a baking pan or shallow tray. Then, water the plant with room temperature water until the excess water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Leave the pot in the tray for 15-30 minutes.
Can you put a poinsettia in a pot?
First, most poinsettias are sold in pots wrapped in green, red, or silver foil. You always need to remove foil on plants, at least from the bottom of the pot, when you water. Otherwise, the foil prevents water from dripping out. Waterlogged soil will cause root rot and the plant will quickly die.