Checking the soil before you water is key.

But the colored leaves aren’t actually petals of a flower but leaf bracts.

Once you take one home, it’s important to give them the best care so they flourish.

A red and green poinsettia plant

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We spoke to horticulturist experts on how to water, what to know and how often to waterpoinsettias.

Poinsettias do best when the moisture is evennot too wet or too dry.

If you water too much, the soil can stay damp for too long and cause root rot.

Avoid placing your poinsettia in your home near a cold draft or a heater.

Heaters can dry out the plant, too.

When you water, double-check to avoid any water splashing on the leaves or stems.

Another option, depending on the throw in of pot you have, is to water at the base.

Like most plants, poinsettias don’t fare well when they sit in water.

Put the tip of your finger at least a centimeter deep or more in the soil.

“If the soil is moist, you dont need to water,” says Onofrey.

“This is more accurate than just looking at or touching the surface of the pot soil.”

The size of the pot also influences soil moisture and how often your poinsettias need to be watered.

He says that “smaller pots are more susceptible to dry down from airflow and heat.

If it’s too heavy, opt for the soil test method.

So what does this method entail?

“Get comfortable with the weight of a recently watered pot,” says Doukas.

He recommends picking up the pot every couple of days so you notice as the pot becomes lighter.

What Does Yellowing Leaves Indicate?

Plants give off signs when something isn’t right.

Leaves can turn yellow for many reasons and sometimes it can be difficult to know the culprit.