When you get your poinsettia home, remove it from the paper sleeve. Keeping the plant in the paper sleeve for more than 24 hours will cause the leaves to droop and may turn yellow before the season is over.
Locate your plant in a spot with bright natural light. Do not place your plant in an area that is exposed to drafts, heat from appliances, radiators, or ventilation ducts. Your poinsettia should be placed in an area not exposed to heavy traffic. And, although absolutely NOT poisonous, the plant should be placed away from small children and animals. Ingestion of the plant could cause discomfort if eaten.
If the poinsettia you bring home has a pot cover or foil wrapper, pierce the bottom to allow proper drainage. Remember to place your plant on a waterproof container to catch the over flow when you water.
The soil should be kept evenly moist. Do not let the soil dry out completely. Empty any water that collects in the container under your plant; if you let the plant sit in water, the leaves will yellow and drop.