...to murder the poinsettia?

[FlamingoFandango]

I'm not a fan of houseplants. DH is, so we have 4. Three of them I grin and bear as there are somewhat sentimental reasons for having them in our home.

The poinsettia is an annoying little bastard that exudes some kind of substance that creates a disgusting sticky film on anything it is placed on or near, which looks revolting and is a pita to clean.

In spite of umpteen pleas DH refuses to get rid of/rehome it.

WIB really U to water it generously with vinegar or some other noxious substance and finish it off?

[Littleallovertheshop]

Give it to me to "housesit", it'll be dead within a week...

[Dbsparkles]

Bin it. You're only allowed them at Christmas. It's the law.

[FlamingoFandango]

DH would not be impressed if I binned it - he even talks to the bloody thing (probably to press my buttons).

OK, confession time - it's had two doses of vinegar already. The first one was a bit spur of the moment but it was looking decidedly shonky today so though best to try and put it out of it's misery sooner rather than later .

[EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard]

I'm amazed it's surviving. In my experience they (d)evolve/descend-whatever into half dead sticks shortly after Boxing Day.

Everyone who knows me is aware they should never darken my door, so I'm a Poinsetttia free zone and have been for years. Thank goodness.

Just compost it.

[GingerMerkin]

They are members of the Euphorbia family and have a poisonous sap inside the stalk. Accidentally knock it and break so sap oozing then will have to get rid of it. Dangerous and all that

[Savagebeauty]

Someone bought me one at Xmas. I haven't watered it or paid it any attention. It is as healthy looking as fuck.
I'm hoping when I pick it up all the leaves will fall off.

[mincepieprivateeye]

I've still got mine from the Christmas before last and it's still going strong! Who says M&S quality isn't what it used to be

[Scarletforya]

DP bought me one which is slowly dying from the bottom up.

I am turning a blind eye to it.

[Kenworthington]

Oh god I hate poinsettias too, I would do this: upend it so it's out of its pot, cut all the roots to shreds, stick it back in pot. Job done!

[Allbymyselfagain]

I think the nastier you are to plants the better they grow bastards I've poured boiling oil on one before, still survived

[Backingvocals]

Someone gave me one a few years ago and I deliberately killed it. Hate house plants anyway but they are particularly grim. Kill it

[Assquatch]

Put it near the radiator. Worked for me

[OneMoreForExtra]

loving the word 'shonky'

[HoneyDragon]

Poinsettias like warmth and dry. Less water and radiators are good.

Stick it by a cold window and water often and pretend you were nurturing it.

[CustardOmlet]

I have put to death two poinsettias since Christmas, one had passed away with dignity, the other is being a little fucker and surviving on condensation and fluff.

[pluck]

This thread is making me laugh. I have brown thumbs (and am managing so far with a cactus!), but recently bought two ferns to appease DH about toxins in the air so will have to hope that crossed "brown fingers" will somehow equal a green thumb!

[TheOddity]

Put it outside for some "fresh air" like I did, then forget it on a frosty night. Mine looked so incredibly sad after that I had to chuck it. I thought it would enjoy some sun light

[ValancyJane]

When I was a student, one night we fed beer to the houseplant. It didn't survive... Might be worth a try!!

[Hassled]

I have nothing constructive to add on the subject of planticide, but "The poinsettia is an annoying little bastard" has made me laugh. Does it have a name? Maybe you should give it a name and then you'll learn to love it.

[SnuffleGruntSnorter]

Oh god, I think the sleep deprivation is getting to me. I'm sat here crying for all the poor poinsettias who are being tortured to death becaus nobody loves them!

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

I love houseplants and have at least one in nearly every room., quite a few in a couple of rooms. Some are quite large and one I've had for over 40 years. I enjoy propagating them and passing them on to anyone who would like them.

However, I really dislike poinsettias. On the rare occasion I've been given one they haven't lasted long. I think they know I don't like them and die of sadness among the other much-loved plants

[FlamingoFandango]

I'm so glad it's not just me with an intense dislike of poinsettias. I was going to mention that I really hate them in particular but thought people would think I was barking. Apparently not.

We've had the little sod for 3 years already. Not only is it still alive (until now) it even flowers.

I like the feeding it beer suggestion. Not sure I'd waste decent beer on it but I have 3 very unsuccessful attempts at dishwasher vodka festering in the kitchen that might do the trick.

Now just need to name it...any suggestions?

[Qwebec]

House plants are fabulous.
They bring life in a home and cleanse the air.

Poinsettias as mentionned above do excrete a sap if you break a leaf or a stem, but they are not supposed to make the area around it all sticky.

Mealybugs and similar pests however do. I've never heard of an infested poinsettia, but it is the only explanation I see. If it is the case, your DP will want the plant gone ASP or he will have to get rid of his other houseplants.

[Fizrim]

I like poinsettias, and kept one a couple of years ago. It happily survived until the following Christmas, but by the end of October/November when there was no sign of the lovely red leaves I checked t'internet - turns out they need to be raised in the dark to get the red leaves! It hit the recycle bin shortly after Christmas, but the green leaves were quite nice too I just wanted the red ones again.

[FlamingoFandango]

Haven't noticed any bugs on it, but tbf I probably don't get close enough to it or pay it enough attention to spot them.