Hang On to Your Poinsettia!

It's that wonderful time of year again, when we're bound to be dazzled by the magnificence of the stately poinsettia. Vibrantly colored and fascinating plants which ever so simply and beautifully say: "Christmas!"

If you happen to receive a poinsettia as a gift or treat yourself to one, and you have a little spot where you can plant what's left of it, even after its leaves have mostly fallen, don’t throw it out! It will take about a year to regenerate but come back, it will! All it takes is a little soil and a whole lot of patience thrown in with some basic plant TLC. Nothing too complicated, so even if you don't have a "green thumb", you too can regrow a poinsettia! It was a lot easier than what I had read which required placing the plant in total darkness for extended periods of time, etc.. Maybe that process is for the red poinsettias. The one I re-grew was yellow and pink.

It all began as an experiment and while it took a while and the plant spent just about a whole year dressed in ordinary looking green leaves, a couple of weeks ago, out of the blue (or green, rather!) , pink and yellow leaves began to appear! I couldn't believe it!! Just as gorgeous as the original plant which had run its course only to be restored to its natural beauty a year later. Great to repot and give away or keep planted to seasonally adorn your garden or balcony. With a little patience and consistent care, what else could you grow?

Here comes the New Year and with it countless resolutions which for the most part will fizzle out as quickly as they were made. But those who are resolute and persevere in their pursuits will see results. Had I uprooted my poinsettia after six month because all its leaves were still green, I would have missed out on its ultimately colorful leaves.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9