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Pink poinsettias in various pots on a table in front of a bright window, surrounded by subtle, natural, decorative items; a cosy country house style window display.

Can you put a poinsettia in the window? All you neeed to know

Placing your poinsettia in the window is a good idea if you bear a few things in mind. Light, temperature and draughts play an important role in making sure your poinsettia retains its colour and survives the festive season in all its glory.

As the festive season approaches and you want to show off your poinsettia perfectly, you may be wondering where the best place for it is. A bright spot without draughts is ideal. The temperature should be between 15 and 22°C. Find out here what else you need to consider when placing a poinsettia in your window.

It’s important to know that poinsettias (also known as the Christmas Star) are sensitive to cold and temperature fluctuations. The wrong location can cause it to lose its beautiful bracts and leaves or even die. And you certainly don’t want to have to manage that in the stressful run-up to Christmas! After all, the poinsettia is one of the most popular houseplants in winter for a reason. With its colourful bracts, it brings the perfect touch of festive cheer into your home. This makes it all the more important that it survives the weeks on the windowsill in full splendour.

With the right location, a little thought to temperature and a few simple tips on care from the experts at Stars for Europe, you can be sure your poinsettia will look its best in your window for a long time.

Contents

1. The ideal location in a window

A bright location in a window without direct contact with cold panes or draughts – this is the best location for your poinsettia.

Poinsettias need plenty of light, especially in winter. A spot in the window means the plant gets enough light to keep its leaves. East- or west-facing windows are a good choice all year round because they provide plenty of light but without intense rays. In the darker winter months, a south-facing window is a good choice in our part of the world, as the sun is less intense at this time.

But it’s important not to place the plant against a cold windowpane. Cold glass can damage the sensitive leaves as much as cold air, so it’s better to keep the plant a few centimetres away. The sensitive roots will stay nice and warm on a stone windowsill if you place a coaster made of felt or similar material under the pot.

2. Managing the temperature correctly

Keep the temperature between 15 and 22°C – this is your poinsettia’s comfort zone.

Poinsettias originate from the tropics and love warmth. They mustn’t get too cold, or they’ll start to lose their leaves. This is especially true if there are sudden changes in temperature, such as when you air the room and cold draughts hit the plant directly. That’s why it’s best to place your poinsettia in a sheltered spot whenever you open the window.

You should also keep an eye on the heating. Although poinsettias like a warm location, directly above a radiator the air often becomes too warm and too dry. This can lead to the leaves drying out or curling up and, at worst, your poinsettia losing its leaves.

Red poinsettias in a wooden container decorated with winterberry (Ilex verticillata) branches, arranged on a windowsill to create a festive Christmas mood with a natural feel.

3. What to do about leaf loss or curled up leaves?

 Leaf loss often occurs when the plant is exposed to temperature fluctuations – such as draughts or cold windowpanes. Too low a room temperature and too little light can also cause leaf loss. So make sure your plant is protected from cold draughts and that its leaves don’t touch the windowpane. It must also be kept at temperatures between 15 and 22°C and receive enough daylight, especially in the darker months.

If the poinsettia loses its leaves shortly after purchase, it has probably already been damaged in the shop and has been kept somewhere too cold and draughty. Protect the plant from the cold on the way home by wrapping it tightly in paper.

But it’s normal for poinsettias to lose their colourful bracts and green leaves after flowering. It then goes into a dormant phase.

Curled leaves sometimes also indicate air that’s too dry or not enough watering. In winter in particular, when the heating is on, the air in some homes becomes too dry for tropical plants such as poinsettias. A humidifier is not only good for the poinsettia, but also for your mucous membranes.

If its leaves curl up because you have forgotten to water it and the soil is dry, place the plant in a container of lukewarm water until no more bubbles come out of the soil. Remove the pot and allow excess water to drain well. The leaves that have already been damaged usually won’t recover and will fall off. But it may still be possible to save your limp beauty.

Yellow leaves are usually a sign of overwatering.

4. How long will a poinsettia last?

Poinsettias are actually perennials, even though they’re often treated as seasonal plants. So with the right care, your poinsettia can live well beyond the festive season – sometimes even for several years. In summer, it becomes a pretty foliage plant. During Christmastime, a bright location, consistent temperatures and regular watering are essential. Avoid waterlogging to protect the roots.

Two red poinsettias in terracotta pots standing on a wooden tray, hang in front of a window, complemented by rustic wooden items and a hanging star decoration; the perfect Christmas window display.

5. Window decoration ideas

You can display your poinsettia in hanging pots, for example, as long as you don’t open the window. Hanging decorations make a beautiful focal point and give your window a Christmassy and inviting look.

If you prefer a classic look, you can also place poinsettias on the windowsill and combine them with other decorative elements. Evergreen branches, Christmas baubles or little strings of lights are the perfect way to showcase the plants. Just make sure to keep them a little distance from the cold windowpane.

6. Christmas decorations with cut poinsettias

If potted plants don’t work or you’re looking for a change, cut poinsettias are a great alternative for your decorations. They can be used in a variety of ways: You can arrange them in vases, incorporate them into festive arrangements or even decorate wreaths with them. They bring just as much Christmas spirit as the potted plant and are more versatile. To keep them fresh for as long as possible, dip the stem in hot water of around 60°C immediately after cutting to stop the milky sap from running. Then place them in cold water. The flowers will last up to two weeks in a vase, a test tube or in floral foam.

Creamy-white cut poinsettias in green glass vases on a windowsill, teamed with Scandi-style wooden items. The ideal spot for Christmas window displays.

Want to find out more about poinsettias and get some great decorating tips? Just take a look at our care blog and decorating tips and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or YouTube!