Pack the poinsettia well when you buy it, otherwise it will quickly freeze to death
Created: 12/07/2022, 4:00 p.m
By: Ines Alms
When buying the poinsettia, one must not forget that it is a tropical plant.
And that's why you have to protect them from the cold.
The poinsettia originally comes from Mexico, where it is slightly warmer than in Germany.
Since the plant is mainly sold around Christmas time, it is easy to misinterpret it as a hardy plant.
Before stepping out into the cold air after buying it from the warm garden center, you should wrap up the poinsettia like you would yourself, so that it does not suffer frost damage and lose its leaves.
Buying a poinsettia: protect the plant from the cold on the way home
If the poinsettia's yellow flower buds aren't fully open when you buy it, it's fresher.
© blickwinkel/Imago
The comfortable temperature of the houseplant is 18 to 22 degrees.
Even if this cannot be maintained during transport from the purchase to your home when the temperatures outside are below zero, the poinsettia should be exposed to as little cold as possible.
Otherwise it doesn't live long, explains gardener Peter Rasch on
NDR television
and advises at least wrapping the plant well in paper, even for short distances.
If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to transport the sensitive little one in a wind-protected, locked cool box.
You should also consider this when buying the poinsettia:
It is better to avoid plants that are outside in front of the shop or in the draft, they have often been damaged.
When buying, give preference to specimens that show small yellow-green flowers or buds amidst the colored ornamental leaves that are not yet open or only slightly open.
Poinsettias that are colored or sprayed with glitter spray are also available in stores.
However, these usually do not live that long because the color clogs leaves and flowers, explains the
Liebedeinengarten
portal .
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If the poinsettia has shed its leaves after a few days, the plant hardly recovers from it.
According to Manuela Romig-Korinski from the
Grünstadtmenschen
podcast, repotting after purchase is not necessary, a cachepot is enough - and a saucer to avoid waterlogging.
Plants for the windowsill: the ten best varieties
View photo gallery
After the holidays you don't have to dispose of the plant, with good care it will last for several years and can even be easily propagated from cuttings.
