New poinsettia varieties are far superior to those available years ago. With good care, they'll retain their colorful bracts well into spring or summer.

To keep your poinsettia healthy and attractive as long as possible, place it in a sunny location. The plant needs lots of light to provide energy for its maintenance, growth and development. Try to keep it away from radiators or drying heat vents, and away from cold drafts.

Water your poinsettia thoroughly whenever the soil surface feels slightly dry, but don't allow water to accumulate in the tray or saucer beneath the pot. Spill out excess water so it doesn't wick back up into the soil, keeping it soggy. Fertilize the plant monthly using a dilute houseplant fertilizer, mixed half as strong as the label recommends.

If you want to force your poinsettia into bloom for next Christmas, prune it back heavily once frost danger has passed, and place it where it won't be exposed to direct mid-day sun.

Repot the plant into a slightly larger container, adding fresh potting soil. Because an above-ground container will dry out rapidly, you may prefer to sink it into the ground. But if you do, be sure to rotate the pot weekly to break any roots growing through the drain holes.

Bring the poinsettia back indoors as soon as night temperatures grow cool. Put it back into its sunny location. Then starting sometime between mid-September and early October keep the plant in total darkness for 13 or 14 hours every night. You can put it in the attic or basement, a closet, a guest bedroom, or a dark cupboard, or you can cover it with a black plastic trash bag or cardboard box. Anything to totally exclude light every night, without fail.

Each day, move your poinsettia back into the sunlight, then keep it dark again at night. You can stop once the bracts turn color again. Though it's doubtful your results will rival those of professional plant producers, you'll be able to point with pride and say, "I did it myself".

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