While often mistaken for flowers, the vibrant red, white, or pink parts of a poinsettia are specialized leaves called bracts. The plant's actual flowers are the small, yellow or green berry-like clusters in the center of these bracts, known as cyathia. Your primary visual assessment should focus on the bracts. Seek out plants with bracts that are fully colored and extend uniformly. They should appear turgid and robust, with no signs of green tingeing on the edges of colored varieties, which can indicate premature harvesting or insufficient light during development. Avoid plants with bracts that are drooping, wilted, torn, or have dry, brown edges, as these are signs of stress, physical damage, or improper watering.
The condition of the true leaves, those green leaves beneath the bracts, is a critical health metric. Healthy poinsettias will possess deep green foliage that extends down the stem. The leaves should be perky and firm to the touch, not limp, yellowing, or drooping. Carefully examine the undersides of the leaves for any signs of pests such as whiteflies, aphids, or spider mites, which appear as tiny moving specks or webbing. Additionally, inspect the stems. They should be strong and green, not overly brittle or brown. A plant with significant leaf drop is a major red flag; it has likely experienced severe environmental stress, such as extreme temperatures or drought, from which it may not recover.
The plant's longevity in your home is greatly determined by the state of its true flowers. Gently look at the small, yellow bud-like structures in the center of the bract cluster. For the longest-lasting display, select a plant where these cyathia are still tightly budded or, at most, just beginning to open. They should look fresh and green or yellow-tipped. If the cyathia have already fully opened, are shedding pollen, or are turning brown and wilting, the plant is already past its prime. Its brilliant bract display will begin to deteriorate soon after purchase, significantly shortening its decorative life in your home.
If possible, gently slide the plant out of its decorative foil or pot to inspect the root ball. This is not always feasible, but a quick check can reveal vital information. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged or bone dry. A sour, musty smell indicates root rot, a fatal condition often caused by overwatering. Look at the roots visible at the drainage holes; they should be white and healthy, not brown, mushy, or densely coiled in a tight mat (root-bound). A root-bound plant has been in its pot too long and is under significant stress, which will be difficult to reverse.
Finally, consider the conditions the plant has been kept in at the store. Poinsettias are tropical plants highly sensitive to cold. They should never be displayed outdoors in chilly climates or placed directly in the path of a store's entrance draft. Exposure to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause severe damage and leaf drop. Choose a plant that has been kept in a warm, bright area away from cold drafts. Furthermore, avoid plants crowded tightly together on shelves, as this promotes pest issues and poor air circulation, and stay away from any sitting in trays of stagnant water.
