Christmas would simply not be the same indoors without the colourful and popular poinsettia, with its large scarlet flowerheads.

If you're not a fan of red, you can buy them in pink, white and cream to add a touch of sophistication to your Christmas decorations.

They grow to about 18 inches and should last for between two to six months indoors, if you are careful.

But I know many people who don't have much luck with them as the leaves wilt and drop off soon after they have bought what looked like a healthy plant from their local garden centre or florist's.

And you have to treat them with a bit of TLC if they are going to stay the course of Christmas.

They need maximum light at this time of year, so put them on a south-facing ledge but move them away when the sun is shining as they need to be kept fairly cool - at 55-60F during the flowering season.

Poinsettas also hate draughts so don't put them near a door.

They should be well watered initially but then only topped up once the compost has started to dry out.

Leaves should be misted frequently.

Don't be tempted to give the plant a daily topping up with water because you will be doomed to failure.

When buying a poinsettia, look for the true flower which is yellow and at the centre of the flowerhead. For maximum flower life they should be unopened.

Also look at the situation of the plant. If it is in a cold shop or has simply been left outdoors, it probably won't have had the best start in life. For those who have had little luck with their poinsettias in the past, here are a few pointers which may indicate the reasons.

If the leaves wilt and drop off, it's most likely caused by overwatering. The compost must be dry before fresh water is applied. But if you don't water it at all and let the roots dry out, the leaves will also fall. But if the leaves just drop off without wilting first the temperature may be too hot or cold - or there is not enough light.

But the most common reason for leaves turning yellow or brown and flowerheads falling is dry air in a warm room. If you're heavy on the central heating over the winter, mist the leaves frequently.

Some pests also have a liking for poinsettias, namely the red spider mite and mealy bug.

Red spider mites suck the sap out of plants from the underside of the leaves. It makes the upper surface of the leaves speckled with yellow blotches and fall prematurely.

Mealy bugs cluster on stems which become covered in white fluff like cotton wool. The damage they cause also makes the leaves wilt and fall.

The traditional poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has large scarlet flowerheads.

If red is your favourite colour, try Angelica or Barbara Ecke Supreme, while good whites include Ecke's White and a more unusual variety is Marble, with cream bracts and a red heart.