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.
Beginning Saturday, November 26, during regular business hours, you may purchase our beautiful poinsettias at the Cantigny Shop in the Visitors Center or at the Golf Shop at the Cantigny Golf Clubhouse.
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.