why do my poinsettia leaves drop off my plant?

Answer 1

It is because they need more water. You are not giving enough so therefore the plant is feeding of the water in the leafs and the leafs fall of because there is no water, so make sure to water it, when the soil is dry to the touch.

Answer 2

Tom4bucks is exactly right. Poinsettia do not like a dry soil. They need consistent moisture otherwise they will drop leaves. The key is consistent moisture, not constantly wet soil. Water every two or three days and you should be fine.

Additional Details: I too have worked for a nursery that grew Poinsettias. Here is the advice from the Paul Ecke Ranch, poinsettia producer on soil moisture: "Poinsettias do best with a MOIST soil condition, not too wet and not too dry. Water the poinsettia thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch. The best indication of a thorough watering is when the water begins to seep through the drain holes at the bottom of the inner pot. Water just enough so the water barely begins to seep through these holes. Be sure to discard any excess water, as poinsettias left sitting in water may suffer from permanent root-rot damage."

AD2: Just stop for a moment & think about what Bugsie & Paul Ecke Ranch's advice is saying! A soil that is just dry to the touch at the surface will still be moist below the surface. The surface dries first. They are not telling you the soil must be dry; they are telling you that the soil must be keep moist! Please, please do not let your soil dry out or you will continue to drop leaves.

AD3: Some interesting facts: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html

Answer 3

Poinsettia Leaf

Answer 4

Well, despite the thought it's water related, it may not be.

Where did you get your plant from? Was it a garden center or florist? or was it a box store or super market? If the plants were shipped from a distance or in their boxes too long, that could be part of the problem. Also, if they are kept in plastic sleeves too long (24hours) that can be a big problem. Poinsettias are very prone to damage from methane, which gets built up when they are boxed and sleeved for too long. At the garden center I work at, for over 10 years, we had to unbox and unsleeve our Poinsettias ASAP, Immediately.

Definitely, if the plant is exposed to cold for a period, such as 5 minutes, can cause damage to the plant as well.

There are a few possible problems, that could cause the leaf loss. If it is related to the boxing/ sleeving, the problem should be alleviated shortly after you remove the sleeve and the plant adjusts to the new environment. If it's because it's dry, the wilting and leaf loss should diminish as the water problem is corrected. Too much water will cause the plant to wilt too! but they'll look bruised.

I hope that this helps
Good luck-

Answer 5

NO!!!!!! Poinsettias NEED fairly dry soil.
Dry to the touch before you re-water.
Poinsettias also need 62 degrees F. at night minimum
and reasonably HIGH LIGHT this time of year.

Also, it the plant came in a foil pot cover, take the cover OFF while you water the plant so it can drain thoroughly.

I grow poinsettias for my living this time of year.
In the spring I grow annuals. I have 2 acres of growing space under glass in Massachusetts.

PLEASE! no need to vote for me....Just please follow my advice!

Answer 6

They're relatively fast-growing plants, and without adequate water, they'll shed more leaves - it's a survival measure. They also need a couple hours daylight every day.

If you were to manage to keep yours alive year 'round, as it grows taller it'll naturally shed leaves and grow new ones. I once kept one going for four years in a big, tall bay window that received the morning sun. The plant started out 18 inches tall, but by the end of the fourth year, it was three feet tall and had shed lots of leaves, and I had to dispose of it. I suspect that's why most folks don't trouble with the things after the holidays.

Answer 7

Usually one of two reasons. It has been allowed to dry out, or it is too wet in the bottom of the pot. If you have a pretty foil covering on it, either take it off or punch holes in the bottom so the water can drain. Also having it to near a heat vent where hot air is blowing on it can cause leaf drop. a
Unfortunately, once the leaves have dropped, they won't grow back this winter.

Answer 8

needs 1/2 cup water each day !

Answer 9

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