Please help!

Millie.mary

Hello!
I have a poinsettia (called Nick) that is 8 years old, I've never pruned him and am now realising I need to as he's a house plant and is getting rather leggy!
I'm scared of hurting him though, how much can I prune back? The stems are woody now, can I still cut them?
Many thanks,
Millie

Dovefromabove

Hello @Millie.mary And welcome to the forum 😊 

Poinsettias are a type of euphorbia and can be cut hard back in March/April. 

Like all euphorbias they exude a latex-like sap which can burn the skin so do wear protective gloves when you do it. 

I would cut each stem back to about 4-6 inches and repot using 3 parts John Innes No 3 loam-based compost and 1 part horticultural grit. 

As you’ve doubtless found they like good light but not direct sun, and should only be watered when the surface of the compost is dry. 

To encourage the coloured bracts to form they need at least 12 hours of absolute darkness from the start of November onwards ... but you probably know that. 

Hope that helps. 

Love houseplants with an identity 😊 

Millie.mary

Dovefromabove said:

Hello @Millie.mary And welcome to the forum 😊 

Poinsettias are a type of euphorbia and can be cut hard back in March/April. 

Like all euphorbias they exude a latex-like sap which can burn the skin so do wear protective gloves when you do it. 

I would cut each stem back to about 4-6 inches and repot using 3 parts John Innes No 3 loam-based compost and 1 part horticultural grit. 

As you’ve doubtless found they like good light but not direct sun, and should only be watered when the surface of the compost is dry. 

To encourage the coloured bracts to form they need at least 12 hours of absolute darkness from the start of November onwards ... but you probably know that. 

Hope that helps. 

Love houseplants with an identity 😊 

Thank you @Dovefromabove that's really helpful! :-) 

Dovefromabove

😊