Hi Bob, at least give us a clue with the name of it please!, don't just say a plant, it's like someone asking you what your favourite food is and you replying "edible". :-)

going from the later description it sounds like it is a ponsettia. if you are having it as a houseplant then keep it draught free, in good light and water from the bottom. we tend to treat them as annuals as they are a bit fiddly to get to go red next year.

Hi Sbg, isn't the Poinsettia question from someone in this country though? Unless I'm confusing this with another one?

Aha, you are of course correct Sbg, I was mistaking a different question :-)

Happy New Year by the way.

and to you too :o)

Without knowing which plant you have bought? I would put it on a windowsill out of the sun, give a little water once a week ! dont let it stand in water, and see if you can find out what it is and then we can give you better information Bob.

Hello Bob!
What a great, challenging question for the New Year. Where did you buy your plant, does it have a name label - in English or Latin, anything at all, and can you either put a photo of it on this site - maybe on your homepage? or otherwise describe it to us. Does it look healthy?
I'd be fascinated to hear what made you buy it?

Best wishes,
Weeding