How to style your Christmas poinsettia

Don’t just bung this festive favourite in a boring pot and wait for it to wilt, says Hannah Stephenson.

Rather than leave your Christmas poinsettia plonked on the sideboard for the festive season, take note of our expert styling tips to make it a showstopper.

Some 100 million poinsettias are produced in Europe each year so celebrate throughout the festive season by doing something different with them.

More colours are now available, from the traditional red to salmon pink and cool white, meaning the number one houseplant over the festive season is more versatile than it used to be.

Poinsettia can be used in place settings to create table colour.

“The key is to choose a colour that you love and group them together to create impact,” says Ian Drummond, houseplant expert and author of At Home With Plants.

You can be very creative with poinsettias, because providing you buy them from a reputable supplier they are more durable than you think

Drummond, the creative director of Indoor Garden Design, offers the following styling tips:

Natural effect

Try removing the lower stems and filling the base of the pot with co-ordinating baubles, or arrange pine cones and twigs around the base.

To create table colour, use poinsettias in place settings. “Simply cut the stems and place the cut end into hot water for a few seconds, and then immediately into cold. This stops the flow of sap and they can last for up to two weeks in water if prepared this way. The stems can be grouped together or displayed singly in bud vases for a gorgeous pop of colour, ideal as a place setting for the Christmas table,” says Drummond.

Make the most of white poinsettias.

Hanging interest

Hang small bowls of poinsettias from festive branches. “Get really creative and hang a branch with re-purposed baubles used as tiny vases to display the cut poinsettias.

“You can even hang the colourful bracts on your Christmas tree instead of bows, or wire it into an indoor Christmas wreath for an added splash of colour,” says Drummond.

It’s a wrap

Poinsettias can make the finishing touches to gift-wrapping. “If you want to cut back on plastic bows but make your Christmas wrapping look beautiful, using traditional red poinsettia stems instead offers that personal touch,” he says.

A Christmas table garland featuring poinsettias for a natural look.

Fresh look

How do you keep poinsettias looking fresh? Well, make sure they are warm and not waterlogged. If possible, check your poinsettia’s compost before buying. It should be neither dripping wet nor totally dry.

Dense foliage and yellow-green budding flowers in-between the coloured bracts are a sure sign of quality.

Protect and water

Protect it from the wind and cold and transport it quickly to its warm new home.

Keep it in a bright, warm spot (around 20C). It can be close to a radiator but not in direct sunlight or near draughts, so keep it away from open doors, windows and fireplaces.

Water only when the compost is starting to change colour and become lighter, and do not allow to sit in water.

Don't just bung this festive favourite in a boring pot and wait for it to wilt, says Hannah Stephenson