I’ve received several emails recently from gardeners struggling with poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) whose lower leaves turned yellow and dropped off, often within days of purchase. Yet the poinsettia, while not necessarily the easiest houseplant of all, has the reputation of being able to “get by” for at least a month or two if given reasonable care. Why then is yours losing its leaves so soon after you bought it?
Poinsettias are a holiday classic, with their colorful red, pink, or white bracts brightening up homes during the winter months. However, it can be disheartening when your poinsettia starts rapidly dropping its leaves, leaving you with a sparse, unhealthy looking plant.
If you’ve noticed your poinsettia shedding its leaves don’t despair. There are several common causes for poinsettia leaf drop many of which you can correct to restore your plant’s beauty.
What Causes Poinsettias to Lose Their Leaves?
Poinsettias can start dropping leaves for a variety of reasons:
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Improper watering – Both overwatering and underwatering can cause leaf drop Too much water leads to root rot, while too little water causes the plant to dry out
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Temperature stress – Exposure to drafts heat vents and rapid temperature changes can shock poinsettias, triggering leaf drop.
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Excessive light – Too much direct sun will scorch the leaves, causing them to yellow, brown, and fall off.
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Low humidity – Poinsettias prefer 40-50% humidity. Dry air can dehydrate the leaves, eventually causing them to drop off.
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Pests – Spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, and other sap-sucking insects will damage the foliage.
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Root rot – Overwatering encourages root rot. As the roots die off, the plant can’t take up water properly, leading to leaf drop.
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Natural leaf drop – Poinsettias naturally shed older leaves, so some leaf drop is normal.
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Stress – Any stresses like cold, pests, or poor care at the store can shock the plant, eventually causing leaf drop.
How to Fix and Prevent Leaf Drop
Once you’ve identified the trigger, here are some tips to fix and prevent poinsettia leaf drop:
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Water carefully, checking soil daily. Provide enough water when dry but don’t overwater.
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Place the poinsettia away from drafts and direct sun. Ideal temperatures are 65-75°F.
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Increase humidity through misting, pebble trays, or a humidifier.
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Inspect for pests and treat any infestations found under the leaves.
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Repot in a container with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Fertilize lightly every 2-3 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
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Avoid damage by keeping poinsettias away from cold drafts and heat vents.
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Pick up dropped leaves promptly to prevent disease.
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Ask your local greenhouse for advice if struggling with poinsettia care.
Providing proper care and conditions will help your poinsettia thrive. Address any issues right away and it will reward you with lasting beauty and color.
How to Select a Healthy Poinsettia
Picking a robust poinsettia from the start prevents many leaf drop issues:
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Choose a plant with plenty of lush, undamaged foliage.
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Avoid poinsettias with browning, yellowing, or dropped leaves.
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Select one with bright, colorful, and undamaged bracts.
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Check for signs of pests on the leaves and soil.
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Opt for a well-established plant over small mini poinsettias.
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Make sure you can transport it home safely without cold injury.
Taking time to select a healthy poinsettia prevents many problems down the line.
When is Leaf Drop Normal?
Some leaf drop is natural for poinsettias. As lower leaves age, the plant sheds them to focus energy on new growth. As long as new leaves look healthy, mild drop of older leaves is normal.
How Long Do Poinsettias Last?
With proper poinsettia care, the colorful bracts and foliage typically last 6-8 weeks or longer indoors. Mini poinsettia plants tend to only last 2-3 weeks.
To keep a poinsettia thriving once the bracts fade, continue caring for it as a houseplant until spring. When daylight exceeds 10 hours in spring, poinsettias will naturally decline as days lengthen. At this point, the plant has reached the end of its annual cycle.
Don’t Give Up on Leafless Poinsettias!
If your poinsettia is rapidly dropping leaves, don’t assume it can’t be saved. Proper troubleshooting and care can rejuvenate the plant. Maintaining ideal growing conditions and promptly addressing any issues will keep your poinsettia going strong.
A poinsettia with bare stems just needs some TLC. Given time and attention, it can regain beautiful foliage and holiday color to brighten your home.
A Symptom of Stress
Leaf drop in the poinsettia is a symptom of stress. The plant is not happy and shows its displeasure by dropping leaves. Usually, it’s the lower leaves that are sacrificed first. They turn yellow and off they fall. Then, if the cause of stress isn’t corrected, the leaf drop will gradually progress up the plant until it appears nearly naked, with only the colored bracts and a few green leaves on the top.
So much for the symptoms, but what causes this stress? Here are 10 possibilities, starting with the main cause of leaf drop.
Mini-Poinsettias Mini-poinsettias are as cute as a button… but dry out and die incredibly fast! Photo: selectivegardener.com
Mini-poinsettias are very trendy, and also inexpensive, but hard to keep alive. They’re not actually dwarf poinsettia plants, but rather young cuttings of regular ones grown in small pots and forced to flower before their time. That leaves them especially susceptible to underwatering, as their tiny pots hold little soil and dry out quickly. With these delicate dainties, you really need to check the growing mix every two days for signs of dryness. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly; if not, try again two days later. They’re babies and really need a lot of babying!
Or transplant them into a larger pot. That will make a huge difference!
5 Reasons Poinsettia leaves turning yellow and falling off
FAQ
How do you keep poinsettia leaves from 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. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full one with no discoloration on the foliage.
How often should I water poinsettia?
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Check the soil:Before watering, stick your finger into the soil about an inch. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
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Water thoroughly:When watering, pour water until it begins to drain from the bottom of the pot.
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Don’t let it sit in water:Discard any excess water that collects in the saucer, as poinsettias don’t like soggy roots.
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Adjust watering based on conditions:Poinsettias in brighter, sunnier locations may need more water than those in dimmer areas.
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Signs of overwatering:Yellowing or dropping leaves, especially lower leaves, can indicate overwatering.
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Signs of underwatering:Droopy or wilting bracts or leaves, and leaves dropping off, can indicate the plant needs water.
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Other care tips:
- Poinsettias are tropical plants and prefer temperatures above 50 degrees.
- Keep them away from drafts and heat vents.
- Ensure the plant receives adequate, but not excessive, sunlight.
- Poinsettias are tropical plants and prefer temperatures above 50 degrees.
Why are my poinsettia leaves curling up and falling off?
Water is key—too little and your Poinsettia’s leaves curl up in thirst; too much and they drown in soggy despair.
Can you save a poinsettia after the leaves fall off?
Yes! And cutting it back will allow the plant to focus on regrowth rather than maintenance. I’ve literally had poinsettias handed to me that were dead by all appearances (shriveled, dessicated sticks) that have recovered. Heck, I even had one that I found in a pot at work.