All About Poinsettias
Each year, Cantigny's Greenhouse bursts with beautiful holiday color.
Over 3,000 poinsettia plants fill Cantigny’s Greenhouse with color – grown by our Horticulture staff to use as displays throughout the park, donate to non-profits, and sell directly to you for your holiday decor or gift-giving.
Up to 16 varieties of poinsettia will be on display in the McCormick House during Christmas at Cantigny. Plants will also be available for sale at the Visitors Center while supplies last.
A special online pre-sale for three varieties (Prestige Red, Superba New Glitter, and Premium Ice Crystal) will begin on November 15. Pre-purchased poinsettias may be picked up at the Visitors Center November 27-30, from 10am – 4pm.
Tips for Successful Poinsettias
The #1 question our growers are asked about taking care of their poinsettias is, “How do you get them to rebloom?”
- DO select plants with green foliage all the way down to the soil.
- DO select plants with strong stems and no signs of wilting or breaking.
- DO look for plants that have small yellow buttons (cyathia) in the center of the colored bracts. These buttons will develop into tiny yellow flowers.
- DO be wary of plants displayed in protective sleeves or that are too closely crowded in a display. The longer a plant remains sleeved, the more the quality will deteriorate.
- DO protect your plant with a paper sleeve or shopping bag when transporting it. Protect it from chilling winds and temps below 50 degrees.
- DO place your plant in indirect sunlight for at least six hours per day. Avoid direct sunlight.
- DO provide room temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees. If you’re comfortable, your poinsettia probably is too.
- DO water your plant when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- DON’T place plants near cold drafts or excessive heat sources such as hot air ducts, fireplaces or appliances
- DON’T over water your plant or allow it to sit in standing water. Water thoroughly, but allow the water to drain from the pot completely.
- DON’T expose your plant to chilling winds when transporting it.
- DON’T fertilize your plant while it is in bloom.