Any advice for taking care of my new poinsettia?

Don’t let the cat eat it! I learned today that it’s poisonous to cats. And probably people. So don’t you eat it either.

1. Place your poinsettia in a sunny window. These plants require bright light – the more, the better.

2. Keep soil evenly moist at all times. Even a day without adequate moisture is enough to make poinsettias drop their leaves.

3. Provide a constant source of humidity by filling the overflow saucer with gravel. Water seeping through the pot will evaporate from the gravel.

4. Turn up the heat. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where it is hot during the winter.

5. Keep the temperature as close to constant as you can, day and night. Decreasing temperatures cause leaves to drop.

6. Fertilize weekly with half-strength liquid houseplant fertilizer, or use a slow-release food when you first bring your poinsettia home.

Good luck and enjoy!