Are Poinsettias Outdoor or Indoor Plants?

Poinsettias are an iconic holiday plant. But, are they meant to stay indoors or can they be planted outside? Let’s take a look at the facts.

Poinsettias, also known as Euphorbia pulcherrima, are native to Mexico and Central America. They were first discovered in the early 1800s by Joel Roberts Poinsett, a U.S. ambassador to Mexico and amateur botanist. The bright red flower of the Poinsettia is actually made up of hundreds of tiny yellow flowers called cyathia, which form the center of the plant’s bract (the colorful leaves).

The Poinsettia is a tropical plant and prefers warm climates with high humidity levels and plenty of sun. Outdoors in these conditions, Poinsettias can grow up to 5-6 feet tall and can live for many years – even decades! However, in most parts of the United States, Poinsettias do not survive winter outdoors due to frost and other cold weather conditions.

If you live in an area with mild winters and plenty of sunlight (such as California or Florida), you may be able to successfully keep your Poinsettia outdoors year-round – just remember to bring it inside if temperatures drop too low! In cooler climates, it’s best to keep your Poinsettia indoors where you can control temperature and humidity levels more easily.

Conclusion:

Poinsettias are best kept indoors as houseplants in most parts of the United States due to cold winter weather conditions. If you live in an area with mild winters and plenty of sunlight (such as California or Florida), you may be able to successfully keep your Poinsettia outdoors year-round – just remember to bring it inside if temperatures drop too low!

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Jennifer Watson