Mini poinsettias the best tips for care, buying and decoration
- Care /
- Decoration tips /
- DIY
Why use mini poinsettias? They’re perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to miss out on the Christmas spirit in a small space. Whether as a table decoration, in an Advent wreath or as a little gift, they bring instant colour and joy to your home. In this article find out how to look after them properly, keep them healthy and display them creatively. Be inspired and discover the many ways you can use mini poinsettias to brighten up the festive season.
Mini poinsettias need special care. Make sure their compost is always slightly moist. They thrive best in a bright, draught-free spot, ideally at a temperature of 15-22°C. It is best to water them by immersion, then allow them to drain well. You can plant minis in larger pots or arrangements. This makes them easier to look after and ensures they stay healthy and flower for a long time. They can be used to decorate any corner for Christmas. But what is it that makes these little poinsettias so special?
Imagine you go into your living room and the smell of cinnamon and pine needles fills the space. Your eyes fall on the sideboard where you placed some little poinsettias. Your fingers run over the bright red bracts. A smile crosses your face: how beautiful! The candlelight makes the plants look magical!
‘Perfect,’ you murmur and step back to admire your work. The mini poinsettias nestle between shiny baubles and fragrant pine branches. Each one adds a splash of colour to the decoration.
You reach for the watering can and carefully tilt it over the compost in one of the pots. ‘Not too much,’ you remember the grower’s advice. The water, no more per pot than would fit in a shot glass, slowly seeps into the soil and you can almost feel the compost absorbing it.
Your eyes wander to the Advent wreath on your dining table. More minis peek out from between the candles, a perfect contrast to some decorative pine cones.
As you turn, your gaze falls on the windowsill, where you see a row of mini poinsettias in a variety of colours – from classic red to soft pink and creamy white. The setting winter sun makes the colours glow.
You sigh with satisfaction. With these little beauties, you’ve managed to add a touch of magic to every corner of your home.
Poinsettias (bot. Euphorbia pulcherrima), also known as Advent stars or Christmas stars, are a firm favourite during the festive season. With their red bracts – they are not red flowers – they immediately spread Christmas cheer. They are native to Mexico, where they grow wild as shrubs up to 4m high. In the 19th century, US diplomat Joel Poinsett brought the plant to the US. From there it spread all over the world.
Poinsettias owe their popularity largely to their symbolic power. Their bracts are thought to look like stars, symbolising the star of Bethlehem in the Christian tradition, and for many people across Europe they are as important as the Advent wreath and Christmas tree.
Today, poinsettias are available in a wide range of colours and sizes – from classic red and white to modern single or multicoloured versions in pink, salmon or cream. Mini poinsettias are ideal for creative decorating ideas. They will brighten up even the smallest room or desk.
As you can see, there’s a fascinating history behind this plant. Poinsettias are a tradition that spans generations. Today they can be found in almost every garden centre – a sign that this plant has found a permanent place in our festive decorations.
The mini versions have become increasingly popular in recent years as a favourite houseplant.
A mini poinsettia is a smaller version of the poinsettia. It grows more compactly than its bigger brothers and is usually sold in a 6cm pot. Mini poinsettias are ideal for small spaces, as table decorations, a special gift or even as living Christmas tree decorations. Despite their small size, they offer the same vibrant colours – from classic red to pink, cerise, salmon and white,making them versatile and perfect for the festive season. A few simple tips will keep them healthy and looking their best.
Because of the small volume of their pots, mini poinsettias dry out more quickly than larger ones, so you need to water them regularly. They are no different to other miniature plants in this respect. The best way to do this is to submerge the pot in water until no more bubbles appear. Poinsettias also need to be protected from draughts. Transplanting to a larger pot (using cactus compost) can make their care easier and increase their chances of long-term survival.
Small poinsettias thrive best in a bright spot near a window with a constant temperature between 15-22°C. Avoid temperature fluctuations and draughts. These plants are sensitive to this and may lose their leaves. In winter, in our part of the world, they shouldn’t be placed too close to open windows or doors, nor is it ideal to place them above a warm radiator or on a mantelpiece.
As soon as the surface of the soil is dry, it’s time for a dip: immerse the root ball in lukewarm water for a few minutes, then drain well to avoid standing water in the pot, as this will cause root rot.
You will usually need to water in this way every two or three days, but it can be done daily. The warmer the room, the quicker the compost will dry out. Check daily to see if your mini needs more water. When watering with a watering can, direct the stream gently onto the compost without pouring it over the leaves. The compost of a well-maintained mini poinsettia will absorb no more than 10-20ml of water per soaking. This is the equivalent of half to a full shot glass. You don’t need to feed poinsettias during the festive season.
➡️ Watering is so important that we’ve written a separate article on the subject: Watering poinsettias.
You can try growing mini poinsettias over the summer. But don’t expect miracles, as oversummering is not very successful. Miniature plants are sensitive and often don’t recover after a hard winter. If you still want to try, cut back the stem after flowering and place the plant in a bright, cool place at 15°C.
➡️ For more information on keeping your plants over the warmer months, see this article: Oversummering poinsettias and getting them to flower again.
But even with the best care, minis can become sickly. What should you do if their leaves fall off or your plants suddenly droop? Read on for the most common problems and how to solve them.
If a mini poinsettia is losing leaves, it may be in a cold, draughty place. Changes in temperature, such as open windows in winter, can cause the leaves to fall. Keep the temperature evenly between 15-22°C and avoid cold draughts.
If your poinsettia is wilting despite moist compost, it may be due to waterlogging (standing water in the pot). Use the immersion method in future and allow the root ball to drain well before replanting. Sadly, your damp wilted mini probably has no future. Watch out for waterlogging with any new plants in future.
This indicates too much water or the wrong location. A lack of nutrients can also be the cause. As mini poinsettias don’t need fertiliser during the flowering period, the problem is almost always due to the compost being too wet. Adjust how often you water and make sure the pot has good drainage.
If its leaves become dry and brittle, your mini poinsettia isn’t getting enough water. The compost in the pots dries out especially quickly near heat sources. Check the moisture level in the compost daily and water if necessary.
Poinsettia table decorations
Just one of many possibilities: Arrange several mini poinsettias in containers on the table. Add a few candles, baubles and pin branch in a vase. This immediately creates a sociable mood. The look will change depending on your choice of colours. The mood can also be classic, elegant, rustic or cheerful.
Porcelain and poinsettias
Candlelight and poinsettias create a cosy festive atmosphere. The highlight of this Advent upcycling craft idea with unwanted crockery is the candleholder. Use pliers to bend a spoon so it hangs securely over the rim of the ceramic cup. Attach the candle with hot glue. Do not leave the candle burning unattended!
Mini poinsettia hanging decorations
An eyecatching window dressing: trimmed with festive accessories such as Christmas tree decorations, cookie cutters and paper stars, an interestingly shaped branch can be transformed into an original window display in no time. To make these living mini poinsettia hanging decorations, carefully remove the mini poinsettias from their pots, cover the root balls with moss and wrap them in yarn. That’s it! You can water the plants gently from above with a drop of water. Alternatively, place the wrapped root balls in a container with a little water every few days to allow the moss to soak it up. Allow to drain well.
Advent arrangement
A vintage metal box filled with natural materials and poinsettias makes a wonderful, handcrafted Advent decoration. The trick is to use preserving jars to give the box structure and make it easy to assemble.
Create an Advent wreath with upcycled and natural materials
Upcycling is right on-trend and can give a modern twist to classic Christmas decorations: Here, an old springform cake tin, white mini poinsettias, moss, pine cones, candleholders, candles and ribbons have been used to create an enchanting Advent wreath. Make sure you can water the plants. Make sure that the roots don’t dry out to keep your minis looking good throughout the festive season. Avoid letting the plants become waterlogged.
Upcycling with drinks cartons
Cut off the top of an empty drinks carton, wash it thoroughly and decorate it with paint, stickers or ribbon. Then place a mini poinsettia inside for an original and sustainable gift wrapping idea. Extra tip: Add a few star stickers for an extra festive touch.
Discover our wide range of mini poinsettia craft projects! You can find step-by-step instructions and lots of tips on how to show off your minis in our Crafting with Mini Poinsettias page.
Mini poinsettia Advent calendar
This Christmas tree-shaped cake stand Advent calendar is a great centrepiece in the run-up to Christmas and a real highlight for any poinsettia fan. It takes a little time and skill to make, so make sure you get started early! You will need – for the cake stand: a 120cm metal stand, white-painted, wooden slats of various lengths, a large decorative wooden star. For the decorations: paper cups, paper bags, felt, tools, crepe paper, your pre-made calendar frame, wool, wooden beads, hot glue gun, terracotta pots, double-sided adhesive tape, number stickers, sweets, mini poinsettias, florist stub wires.
➡️ Want more Advent calendar craft ideas? Click here!
Mini poinsettia Christmas tree display
This homemade mini poinsettia Christmas tree is a great idea for anyone looking for a space-saving, needle-free alternative to the classic Christmas tree. To make this natural display, you will need a cordless screwdriver and screws, a large wooden board, two long and two short branches, twine, small terracotta pots, paper covered wire, mini poinsettias and cones, stars and clematis vines for decoration.
Want to buy mini poinsettias for decoration or as gifts? Read on to find out what to look out for and when to buy them.
The best time to buy mini poinsettias starts in November and lasts well into Advent. Nurseries produce poinsettias at staggered intervals. This means that there is always new stock on the market.
When buying, it is important to look for bright bracts and strong, green foliage. You can spot a fresh poinsettia if the small yellow buds in the centre of the bracts are still closed. This indicates that it will continue to flower for a long time. Poinsettias, large or small, shouldn’t be placed near draughts or cold entrances in the shop as they are sensitive to temperature changes. Wrap them up well for the journey home.
Mini poinsettias create a festive atmosphere. That’s why they make such a great gift. A few simple steps are all it takes to turn them into something special.
Gift box with a wow factor
Choose a pretty gift box and place six mini poinsettias inside. Add a shiny satin ribbon and your gift is ready to impress! If you don’t have planters, you can put the mini poinsettias in freezer bags and place them in the box.
Mini poinsettias in a jar
The fresh green and vibrant red of mini poinsettias look especially stunning in a clear jar with white faux snow. Isn’t this miniature winter landscape a lovely gift idea?
The small poinsettias that are sold in 6cm pots as miniature versions of the larger plant are called ‘mini poinsettias’ or ‘miniature Christmas Stars’. They belong to the same species as the normal poinsettia (bot. Euphorbia pulcherrima) but are specially bred to be small. Their bright bracts make them a popular choice for smaller rooms, windowsills or festive tables. They also make great gifts.
Yes, it’s possible to get a poinsettia to flower again. However, mini varieties rarely flower a second time. Their small size makes them fragile. Larger ones are easier to get to bloom again. But even here, the effort is usually not worth it. If you still want to try, you can find instructions for large poinsettias here: Oversummering poinsettias and getting them to flower again.
In winter, this is not a good idea in our part of the world. The plant originates from the tropics and cannot withstand temperatures below 15°C. Draughts, cold or temperature fluctuations can quickly damage or even kill mini poinsettias, so keep them indoors during the winter months.
In many Latin American countries, the poinsettia is an important part of Christmas decorations. In Mexico, it is called ‘Flor de Nochebuena’ and is traditionally used to decorate altars and churches during the festive season. In Asian cultures, the plant is considered a good luck charm and is often given as a New Year gift. The poinsettia took the USA by storm in the 20th century. Today, ‘Poinsettia Day’ on 12 December honours Joel Roberts Poinsett, the US ambassador to Mexico who brought the poinsettia to the States. Despite their different symbolic meanings, poinsettias unite people around the world during the festive season.
In Europe, the poinsettia has been a popular winter flowering houseplant since the 1950s. Its red, white, pink or other coloured bracts represent love, hope and joy at Christmas time. The poinsettia has a long tradition as a gift and brings colour and life into homes during the colder months. With its vibrant appearance, the poinsettia is an integral part of the festive season.
Poinsettias belong to the spurge family. When damaged, plants in this genus secrete a milky, white sap that contains toxic substances. This is also true of the wild form of the poinsettia. In the modern varieties we keep as houseplants, these poisonous substances are no longer detectable in the sap, which means poinsettias are generally harmless to us. However, they are not suitable for human consumption. Be careful if there are pets in your household, though. It’s not clear whether the plant is harmful to animals such as cats, dogs or birds if they eat them, so make sure animals don’t nibble on them. It is best to keep them out of the reach of pets.
Contact with the sap can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin, so they should wear gloves when handling the plant. People with a latex allergy may also have an allergic reaction to the milky fluid, so they should avoid direct contact with it.
A system within the pot that drains excess water to prevent waterlogging. A layer of gravel or clay pellets is usually used at the bottom of the pot.
The strikingly coloured leaves of a poinsettia, which are often mistaken for flowers. They give the plant its characteristic appearance.
A special free-draining compost into which poinsettias can be transplanted. Helps prevent waterlogging.
A white, milky liquid that oozes out when some plants, such as species of Euphorbia, are damaged. It can cause slight skin irritation.
A compact version of the poinsettia, which is known for its bright bracts. These dwarf varieties are ideal for decorating small spaces and as gifts.
A condition in which a plant does not receive enough nutrients. This can lead to leaf discolouration, stunted growth and poor flowering.
A condition in which excess water remains in the pot and surrounds the roots. This can lead to root rot and diseases.
A watering method in which the root ball is immersed in room temperature, soft water for a few minutes. This technique provides the root ball with an even supply of moisture.
Sudden changes in ambient temperature that can damage delicate plants such as mini poinsettias. Causes leaf loss and growth problems.
A process by which poinsettias are cut back after flowering and placed in a cool, light place to encourage them to flower again in the autumn.
A disease caused by overwatering in which the roots die. This often leads to wilting and the death of the entire plant.
Uncontrolled airflow indoors. Can be caused by air leaks or open windows and doors.
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