Your poinsettia will last many weeks, perhaps months, if you care for it properly. The length of time depends on the maturity of the plant at purchase, the variety, and how you treat the plant. When buying poinsettias, check the maturity of the plant. The colorful bracts actually are vividly colored leaves, not flowers. The flower part of the poinsettia is the tiny yellow beadlike structure in the center of the bracts.
Mature flowers are slightly swollen, with the cup showing nectar.
Avoid purchasing plants with flowers that have dropped from the plant. Varieties Plant breeders have introduced new varieties of poinsettias. These new varieties offer more flowers per stem and a wider color range. Some bloom as early as Thanksgiving, while others bloom closer to Christmas. Even with their differences, one trait in common is longevity.