Can poinsettias be planted outdoors?

I have two since Christmas time and i'm wondering if they can be planted outdoors.


I live in central California.

Can poinsettias be planted outdoors?
along the central California coast, very possibly. I have seen them growing as little trees along the Pacific-Baja coast, in direct sun. They will grow along the central CA coast in bright and even direct sun but not if it is very hot. If you live in the interior, it may work as a patio plant, potted. but central valley cold and summer sun, will kill it. Morning sun during the summer would work...until about 11: a m.
Reply:They grow wild in Hawaii so don't know why you couldn't set them out in pots in California summer. Just bring them back in if your winter gets to chilly.
Reply:no they are indoor plant left outside they will die. you can plant spider plants in the summer and put them indoors in the winter
Reply:Yes, but only if it doesn't freeze where you are. My aunt had some in Austin, Texas, and they did ok, although they seldom bloomed. If they're outdoors, they won't bloom at Christmas - that's a product of forcing; normally, they'll bloom in the spring, once it warms up.





If you get anything like comparatively frequent hard freezes in your area, it's probably best to let it remain a pot plant, and just let it be outdoors during the summer.
Reply:yep, make sure they are protected from direct sun and harsh heat/weather put them close to the house in a shady place! I didn't know this until mine died and my grandma was like "you didn't plant it outside?"
Reply:They can, but they are not tolerant of frosts and will die if frosted. Maybe you could plant them in big tubs and move them inside in the winter during Christmas season and until it warms up. They can get very tall, 10 or 15 feet if they live several years.


I lived in Central America for years and they grew out in full sun where it was very hot and dry for many months at a time. The ones you buy here have very small root systems, so until they develop a good root system, be sure to water them well as they have a lot of foliage and can use up a lot of water rather quickly.
Reply:Not sure what your winter climate is there. Poinsettias are tropical plants, and need to be inside in cold winter weather. Of course, if central California is really warm in winter, you might be able to get away with it. Why not Google winter hardiness of the plant and find out for sure? I know I couldn't do it in Ohio.
Reply:I'm in western KY and have planted mine outdoors. they do well through the summer, get morning sun and afternoon shade during heat of day. They don't survive the winter outdoors, and just become a green plant.
Reply:I am in Hot, HUMID, South Texas. I have seen them grow as high as ten feet in a house I drive by often. Mine have gotten to 5 feet.





The ten footer's owner (I stopped and asked) was an older lady. I asked her how she grows hers so big and she told me she dug up her bed, used the dirt that was there and planted them and left them alone. No food, no fertilizer, just an occasional watering.





Mine get water from the neighbors sprinkler so I don't even touch them.





They say if you want to have them red (or white depending on the variety) by Christmas, you need to give them 18 hours of full shade a day starting in late Sept or Early Oct. Just use a black trash back or a thick tarp. I don't do that to mine, I just let nature do what nature wants to do.