Forcing Poinsettias to Bloom at Christmas

Poinsettias bloom naturally in early January in Mexico. Greenhouse growers manipulate light and temperature to time color for December. You can do the same at home:

Home Forcing Schedule

• Late September: Cover plant with a cardboard box for 14 hours daily (e.g., 6 PM–8 AM).
• Water normally; keep outdoors until cool weather.
• Move indoors when nights drop below 50°F; continue 14-hour darkness.
• Early November: Buds appear at branch tips. Stop darkness treatment.
• Cool, bright window: Bracts color in time for holidays.

Why Summer Color Happens

Bracts color 10–14 weeks after flower initiation. If your plant initiated blooms in March, color appears in June—“Christmas in summer.”

Control the dark period to control the bloom season.