Greetings, human caretaker. I am Aglaia odorata, though you may know me as the Chinese Perfume Plant. To thrive in your indoor realm, I require specific conditions that mimic my subtropical origins. Please attend to my needs, and I will reward you with my tiny, golden-yellow blooms and their exquisite, sweet fragrance.
I am a creature of abundant, yet gentle, light. Direct, harsh sunlight, especially through glass, will scorch my delicate leaves, leaving them brown and brittle. I crave bright, indirect light for most of the day. An east-facing window where I can bask in the soft morning sun is ideal. A south or west window can work, but you must shield me with a sheer curtain. Without sufficient light, my growth will become sparse and leggy as I stretch weakly towards the light source, and I will likely withhold my precious flowers.
My relationship with water is one of balance. I despise having my roots constantly soggy, as this will lead to a fatal case of root rot. However, I also cannot endure prolonged drought. The goal is consistently moist, but never waterlogged, soil. Before you water, press your finger into the top inch of my soil. If it feels dry, it is time for a deep, thorough drink. Ensure the excess water can drain freely from the pot's base, and never let me sit in a saucer of standing water. I will signal my distress with yellowing leaves if I am too wet, or with dry, crispy leaf tips if I am too thirsty.
Temperature and humidity are of paramount importance. I enjoy the same comfortable temperatures you do, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C). Protect me from cold drafts near doors or windows in winter and from the direct, dry blast of heating or air conditioning vents. The air in human dwellings is often too dry for my liking. Low humidity stresses me and makes me vulnerable to pests like spider mites. To keep me happy, please increase the moisture in the air around me. You can place my pot on a pebble tray filled with water, group me with other plants, or use a humidifier.
To fuel my growth and flowering, I need nourishment. During my active growing season in spring and summer, feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half its recommended strength. Provide this meal every four to six weeks. I am not a heavy feeder, and too much fertilizer will cause a harmful buildup of salts in my soil, damaging my roots. In autumn and winter, when my growth naturally slows, you must cease feeding me entirely. I am resting and do not require the extra nutrients.
To maintain my compact, bushy form, occasional pruning is beneficial. After a flush of flowers has faded, you may trim me back. This encourages me to branch out and become fuller. Always use clean, sharp scissors to make clean cuts just above a leaf node. As I grow, I may eventually become pot-bound. Every two to three years, in the spring, you can repot me into a container only one size larger with fresh, well-draining potting mix. This gives my roots new territory to explore and fresh soil from which to draw nutrients.
