How to Make a Gorgeous + Easy Poinsettia Centerpiece for the Holidays

Create an eye-catching arrangement for your holiday table using our favorite seasonal blooms.

Poinsettias are the quintessential flower for the winter holidays. Instead of grabbing a few potted plants to pop around the house, try using them as cut flowers. Not only will they last for days in a vase, but it's fun to arrange them with different textures to make a stunning arrangement. 

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

Poinsettias come in many colors: white, lime green, pink, hot pink, burgundy, variegated and various shades of red. Try using a non-traditional color to mix it up. For greenery, use what you have growing in your yard! In this arrangement, we used arborvitae, nandina and pine leaves. All of these types of greens will stay vibrant for a few days out of water. 

Materials

  • poinsettia plant (any color)
  • greenery
  • pint canning jars
  • wood or galvanized crate

Prep Your Container

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

Place several canning jars in a wood crate and fill halfway with water.

Arrange Blooms

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

With sharp clippers, cut a few of the larger blooms from a potted poinsettia, trimming the stems at an angle. Immediately arrange in water. Tip: The stems will release a milky sap when cut which contains mild chemical toxins and can cause temporary skin rashes if you're sensitive to latex. Wear gloves if you have a known latex allergy.

Fill With Greenery 

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

Once you've arranged the blooms, start adding in layers of fresh-cut greenery, filling in spaces between the flowers. You can leave clipped greenery out of water for 3-5 days. To keep costs down, shop your backyard for evergreen clippings.

Fresh-Cut Beauty

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

The flowers and greenery will stay perky for a few days, so wait to put this arrangement together the day before your holiday party.

Optional: Change It Up

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Poinsettia Centerpiece

Poinsettias and evergreens make a beautiful holiday centerpiece nested in a tin planter.

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

This centerpiece is easy to customize for any type of decor. For a different look, try switching out the wood crate for a galvanized or glass container.

Next Up

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How to Make a Boxwood Christmas Wreath

Why settle for plastic evergreen wreaths or natural greens that will dry out in a few weeks? Make a preserved boxwood wreath that will keep its good looks throughout the holidays and beyond.

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