---
title: "HELP!!!! I rescued this plant from my dad’s house. It looked terrible…"
description: "HELP!!!! I rescued this plant from my dad’s house. It looked terrible and was dropping leaves. I don’t exactly know how to care for this plant to well. I think…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/VcFx4XryTVKYihAOYZGCNQ"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "snazzy man"
published: "2024-02-21T00:47:47.006527Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ipoJljWEM6yyxieRclQPruP7q0SNj7kp3g_p34rbY4E/wO0dn1JTQxeyGWf8t8SeqQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# HELP!!!! I rescued this plant from my dad’s house. It looked terrible…

_Posted by snazzy man on 2024-02-21_

HELP!!!!

I rescued this plant from my dad’s house. It looked terrible and was dropping leaves. I don’t exactly know how to care for this plant to well. I think it’s doing well since it grew new leaves… except for the fact that the leaves were green and not red. Is that normal??? I’ve never really had a poinsettia before

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ipoJljWEM6yyxieRclQPruP7q0SNj7kp3g_p34rbY4E/wO0dn1JTQxeyGWf8t8SeqQ.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### em-milleranglin commented on 2024-02-21

I would definitely cut off those leaves that are blackened on the end, you can also prune the branches back for new growth! Poinsettias need full darkness overnight (even from regular light bulbs) for at least 14 hours to help them to get red, and only a few hours of indirect sunlight during the day for the remaining hours. While you are still working on re-growth, however, it’ll need more sunlight to photosynthesize those new leaves! You can do this until you are satisfied with the growth and after a few months try darkening it for some redness! :)

#### snazzy man replied on 2024-02-21

Thank you will do!

#### em-milleranglin replied on 2024-02-21

You’re welcome — you’re already doing great with that new growth!

### Al commented on 2024-02-21

You did the right thing! The soil looks pretty moist, is it draining ok? Might need to let it dry some.

#### snazzy man replied on 2024-02-21

It has drainage holes at the bottom.  
I just watered it yesterday as well.

### Amy B commented on 2024-02-21

I have 7 poinsettias I rescued. Google has great articles, but if it’s in the same soil it came in I would repot to something with better drainage.

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