The 5 mistakes killing your poinsettia and how to fix them – expert tips that will keep your festive plant flourishing throughout December

Poinsettia in a red pot next to a green lit candle in a glass jar on a white marble countertop.

If you’ve ever unwrapped a poinsettia full of hope only to watch it sulk a few days later, you’re not alone: the mistakes everyone makes with poinsettias are far more common than you’d think.

Before you even get it home, knowing how to choose a poinsettia is half the battle, especially when so many are already stressed before you’ve even swiped your card. It also helps to understand how to care for poinsettias properly once they’re through your front door, because these colourful bracts may be iconic, but they can be a bit… well, let’s just call them dramatic.