Mini poinsettias the best tips for care, buying and decoration

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?

• Key facts at a glance 

• What mini poinsettias can do

• Poinsettias: Their story and why the mini ones are so popular 

• What is a mini poinsettia?

• Mini poinsettia care 

• Our readers’ questions answered

• Design tips, decorating ideas and craft projects

• Buying mini poinsettias 

• Little poinsettias as a gift 

• Useful information and frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• Glossary 

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 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.

➡ Click here for our poinsettia location check.

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.

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.

• Add pretty name tags, hand-painted Christmas labels or photos to your gift to include a personal touch.
• Choose planters that match the person’s style. For a natural look, choose twine and wooden accessories; for a modern style, opt for shiny metallic tones or simple, elegant colours.
• Paint the pots with Christmas designs or write a personal message on them. It’ll show you’ve put some thought into it and create a gift that really comes from the heart.

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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