Monty Don's clever poinsettia tip will see them lasting for months after Xmas

05 January 2024 , 12:13

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The plant can last for months after the festive period with 'little care' (Stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Contrary to popular belief, Poinsettias aren't just for Christmas.

The plants, which are indigenous to Central America where they grow up to 10ft high, are commonly gifted during the festive season due to their vibrantly-red colour. As the New Year nears the end of its first week, Brits across the nation will be throwing the festive plant in the bin - as though they have the same lifespan of a Christmas tree.

But, British horticulturist and BBC star Monty Don says poinsettias can be made to "last looking good for months". You don't have to be a gardening expert either to keep the festive plant thriving in 2024.

Writing on his eponymous blog MontyDom.com - the Gardeners' World presenter insists "little care" is needed to help your poinsettia. He added: "They are only really comfortable in damp warmth.

"They do not like cool nights, very hot dry rooms or big fluctuations in temperatures, so keep them where there is a constant average temperature, avoiding draughts, cold windows or even very bright spots that can get very hot in the middle of the day." Don also said poinsettia's need 'plenty of water' but urges gardeners to let the compost dry out before 'giving them a really good soak'.

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The star recommends standing the pot in a sink full of water and leaving it to stand for around 10 minutes 'before letting the excess water drain from the pot'.

The TV star says there are many gardening jobs that can be done in January (BBC Studios)

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If you're itching to get back into the garden, despite the freezing temps hitting the country, there are jobs you can be getting on with. January is a great time to plant tulips, pruning fruit trees and decorative shrubs, mulching, as well as garden composting.

Don says many salad crops can also be sown in the first week of January, including Little Gem and Tom Thumb lettuce. However, with frost still lurking outside, it is advised to sow the seeds using 'peat-free compost' and allow them to germinate on a 'heated mat in the greenhouse'.

"If you do not have a greenhouse or tunnel then wait a while before sowing seed," he warned. "I have learnt the painful way that being too soon with seed sowing is usually more likely to lead to problems than being too late."

Liam Gilliver