Why Are My Poinsettia Leaves Curling?

Why Are My Poinsettia Leaves Curling

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a traditional Christmas ornamental plant that has gained popularity due to the contrast of its green and red leaves.

The poinsettia is one of the most popular plants from the Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family to which more than 2,000 different plants from Mexico and Central America belong.

Poinsettia is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 12 feet in the wild, but species  cultivated as houseplants usually grow up to a maximum of 2 feet.

The leaves are dark green, large and pointed, with several teeth on each side. The flowers have the shape of bloom, and the surrounding bracts, in size of leaves, take on a different color, so they act as a flower. Inflorescence bracts are the most common in shades of red, although they may have other colors, such as beige and pink.

This delicate beauty is often only used as a one-time decoration because it decays quickly since most people do not know how to take care of a Poinsettia.

Usually the first sign that the Poinsettia is starting to decay is with curling leaves.

So what causes curling leaves on a Poinsettia?

Common reasons of curling leaves on a Poinsettia are overwatering, underwatering, improper lighting, and over fertilization. Other less common reasons for curling leaves are temperature stress and the wrong pot size.

So let’s cover each of the reasons for curling leaves on a Poinsettia and how to fix it.

Curling Poinsettia Leaves Due To Overwatering

Poinsettia plants thrive best in relatively moist soil and this is where the biggest challenge for its successful cultivation and maintenance lies.

Overwatering the Poinsettia will lead to issues from curling leaves to root rot.

So although it may seem like watering the plant more will help – it can actually causes serious issues.

Here’s the best way to determine when you should water your Poinsettia plant.

When To Water A Poinsettia 

Follow these steps in order to determine when to water a Poinsettia:

  1. Insert your index finger into the soil 1 to 2 inches deep
  2. Feel for moisture
  3. Water if the soil is dry
  4. Do not water if the soil is wet or moist

How To Water A Poinsettia

It may look strange, but the way you water the plant can significantly affects its health.

Less sensitive plants may not notice the difference, but this is a delicate plant, so classic watering from above can be problematic. The main negative effects of watering from above are nutrients accumulation around the roots and root rot.

So watering the plant from below is the best method for Poinsettia plants.

Watering From Below

Instead of the classic watering, it is much more effective to water the Poinsettia plant from below.

Fill the pot tray with water every three days.

Allow the plant to absorb as much water as it needs, and after ten minutes, pour the excess water out of the tray.

Poinsettia Leaves Curling Due To Underwatering

If you forget to water the Poinsettia or do a poor job watering then the substrate will dry out quickly.

Allowing the soil to completely dry out for a few days is dangerous for the Poinsettia.

Instead of a bright and beautiful Poinsettia – you’ll be greeted with a plant that looks tormented with wilted and curled leaves.

Solution For Underwatering

Fortunately underwatering is one of the easier problems to resolve.

Of course, you could water the plant pouring the water from above, but it could cause stress for the thirsty plant.

Try something more gentle and less stressful.

Place the pot with poinsettia in a bowl of water and let it soak for half an hour.

Afterwards, take the potted plant out and let it drain before returning it to its original place.

Improper Light Can Cause Poinsettia Leaves Curling 

Light is a necessary component of the plant-feeding process called photosynthesis.

That’s why insufficient light will cause the plant’s leaves to curl, yellow and eventually fall off.

In nature, the poinsettia grows sheltered by tall tropical trees that shield the plant from direct sunlight. Therefore, when directly exposed to the sunlight, the Poinsettia plant responds by twisting the leaves in an attempt to slow transpiration.

Therefore the Poinsettia plants need to be placed in a space with bright indirect light.

Solution For Improper Light

Place the Poinsettia in a place where it will receive at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight each day.

Ideal positions are a few feet from the south window or even closer to the east or west window. Occasionally rotate the pot to help the plant stay compact and bushy. Otherwise the plant may start to grow and lean towards one direction.

Curing Poinsettia Leaves Caused By Temperature Stress

Poinsettia is a plant of tropical origin and is sensitive to cold weather and sudden temperature changes.

Excessive temperature fluctuations, whether caused by day and night temperatures or warm and cool room temperatures will cause stress. Typically the Poinsettia plant will respond to this temperature stress by curling its leaves.

Solution For Temperature Stress

The optimal room temperature for Poinsettia plants are 55°F to 70°F. So make sure that the temperatures in your home at night do not drop beneath 55°F.

The best place for a poinsettia is room that has constant temperature. So it’s best to avoid spots close to any heater vents or drafty areas such as walkways or windows.

During the winter, air vents will dry out the air so periodically mist the plant to increase the humidity if the plants leaves are still curling.

Overfertilization Can Cause The Leaves To Curl

Too much fertilizer is another cause of curling leaves on Poinsettias.

Excess salt and minerals can accumulate in the soil, which will destroy beneficial microorganisms and can affect the pH value of the soil. Altogether this will negatively affect the appearance, color, and health of the leaves.

Solution To Overfertilizing

Do not overdo it with fertilizer!

It is enough to apply a liquid fertilizer once a month for ornamental plants with an NPK ratio of 16:16:16.

Alternatively, you could use slow-release fertilizers for houseplants in the form of granules or sticks that are inserted into the soil along the edge of the pot.

How To Save Poinsettia For Next Season

Poinsettia is a deciduous plant, so it is natural to lose the leaves during the winter.

However, this is not necessarily the end of the Poinsettia’s life cycle.

With a few tips, you can have a blossoming poinsettia on your holiday table again next season without having to purchase a new plant.

1) Move The Plant To A Cooler Place

For the next two months after the holiday season, the Poinsettia plant needs a period of rest.

So place the Poinsettia plant in a cooler place at a temperature of 60°F. Before moving the plant, make sure to shorten the shoots to about 4 inches.

During the next two months, water the plant sparingly, just enough so that the substrate is not completely dry.

2) Repot The Plant

In mid-April or May, transfer the Poinsettia plant to a larger container with fresh substrate.

If the stems elongate then you should cut them again.

Note: Wear protective gloves when pruning the Poinsettia plant. The plant will seek white milky sap which is toxic and can irritate the skin.

3) Start Regular Watering

Move the plant to a window sill in a warmer room and start watering once a week.

Very soon, new leaves will appear. In the summer, you can take the plant outside in a shady area or move the plant away from direct sunlight.

4) 10 Hours Of Light And 14 Hours Of Darkness

From October to the end of November, the plant needs to spend 14 hours every day in complete darkness.

To achieve this, cover the plant every night with a paper bag and remove the bag in the morning. Alternatively, you could  place it in a bedroom or other room where you do not use any lighting until late at night.

5) Enjoy Your Poinsettia Again

At the beginning of December, stop covering the plant or move it back.

Soon, the famous red bracts will appear and your Poinsettia will be in full effect for the holiday season.

Final Thoughts

The poinsettia is not just another plant to decorate your home during the holidays. There are not many plants with such a rich history of symbolism. Let us mention just a few of them: 

  • The Indians considered it a sacred, purity symbolizing  plant, and used it in ritual ceremonies, especially for making red paint. 
  • According to a Mexican legend, a heart of an Aztec goddess, broken by the unrequited love, stained with blood the top leaves of this plant. Since then, poinsettia is a traditional gift for young couples as a symbol of fidelity and loyalty.
  • In Christian symbolism, the poinsettia is associated with the Star of Bethlehem, which showed shepherds the way to the place where Jesus was born. For this reason, it is most often used for decoration at Christmas time. 

Finally, let’s say that the word ‘pulcherima’ in its Latin name means the most beautiful. And satiety, this masterpiece of nature rightly bears that name.

Steven

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