How to Choose a Fresh Poinsettia That Lasts Through the Holidays

Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a vibrant poinsettia, but picking one that stays fresh for weeks requires a discerning eye. Follow these expert tips to bring home a plant that will keep its color well into the new year.

Check the Tiny True Flowers

At the tip of each poinsettia branch, you'll find small yellow-green buds—these are the actual flowers. If more than one or two are already open, the plant is past its prime and will drop its colorful bracts (the modified leaves we mistake for petals) sooner. Poinsettias arrive at retailers in multiple shipments; always ask to see the newest delivery rather than grabbing one that may have sat in the store for weeks.

Inspect the Foliage from Top to Bottom

Healthy poinsettias boast deep green leaves all the way down to the soil line. If the lower leaves are yellowed, wilted, or missing entirely, the plant likely dried out during storage. A well-hydrated specimen will hold its leaves tightly against the stem.

Watch the Watering Wrapper

Many poinsettias come in decorative foil sleeves. Before adding water, peel back the foil and check for standing water at the bottom. Poinsettias prefer soil on the dry side; roots left sitting in water will rot quickly. If the wrapper has no drainage holes, either remove it entirely or punch a few holes and place the pot on a saucer.

Avoid Drafty Display Spots

Choose a location away from heating vents, fireplaces, and drafty windows. Both hot, dry air and cold blasts accelerate leaf drop and bract fading. A bright, cool room with indirect light is ideal—think 65–70°F during the day and slightly cooler at night.