December 3, 2025, 4:04 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Especially during the Christmas season, when everything sparkles and many homes turn into a sea of lights, you find many poinsettias on dining tables, windowsills, or in stairwells. myHOMEBOOK plant expert Franka Kruse-Gering explains why she no longer brings a poinsettia into her home.
Whether as a thoughtful gift for the holiday or simply as a nice Christmas decoration, poinsettias are as popular as ever. This is also shown by a consumer survey from the Central Horticultural Association in Berlin, which the Chamber of Agriculture Schleswig-Holstein references in a press release. However, I have decided not to buy or keep a poinsettia in my home this year, and I will not be giving one as a gift either.
Why I Won’t Buy a Poinsettia This Year
They look beautiful with their bright bracts, but unfortunately, usually only for a short time. Most poinsettias don’t survive the winter, and when spring approaches, they end up in the trash. On one hand, most people don’t know that with proper care, they are perennial plants and can be kept over the summer with some effort. On the other hand, poinsettias are not native to our region and must be laboriously cultivated or even flown in from warmer countries. This is also confirmed by a study published in the scientific journal MDPI on the sustainability of poinsettias.
If you were to cultivate a poinsettia from scratch in Germany, you would use a lot of water, light, and warmth. The plant requires a warm and humid climate to grow well. Importing the cuttings is therefore more ecological and economical. For me, it’s simply the lesser evil.
I am dissatisfied with both options and prefer to do without a poinsettia from the start. Whether grown in Germany or flown in, it won’t come into my home.
Blooming Alternatives to the Poinsettia
4 Mistakes the Poinsettia Won’t Forgive
Please Pay Attention to Proper Care
Just because I have decided against buying a poinsettia doesn’t mean everyone should do the same. I would just be very happy not to find plants in the trash every year after the holidays. There are no official figures on disposal behavior.
How to Care for a Poinsettia
The poinsettia is a perennial plant, even here in Germany. With the right care, you can enjoy it for many Christmases to come.
Location
Poinsettias need a warm and bright location, but direct sunlight should be avoided. The best temperatures are between 59 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Poinsettias also do not tolerate drafts, so this should be considered when choosing a location.
Watering
When it comes to watering, the poinsettia is a bit finicky. Not too warm and not too cold, not too little, but also not too much. Poinsettias are prone to root rot.