Hello, it is I, the Aglaia odorata, though you may know me as the Chinese Perfume Plant. Living indoors with you humans can be lovely, but sometimes my needs are not fully met. From my perspective, here are the common issues I face and what I truly crave to thrive in your care.
I originate from sun-dappled forests, so I need bright, generous light to produce my precious, fragrant yellow blooms. When you place me in a dark corner, I cannot photosynthesize effectively. My growth becomes sparse and leggy as I stretch desperately towards any light source, and my flowering mechanism shuts down entirely. I long to be near a bright east or south-facing window where I can bask in plenty of indirect sunlight. A few hours of gentle morning sun would make me utterly content.
My roots are sensitive; they need to breathe. The most common torment you subject me to is overwatering. When my soil is constantly soggy, my roots drown and rot, unable to uptake nutrients or water. You will see my leaves yellowing and dropping in protest. Conversely, if you forget about me entirely, letting my soil become bone dry and pulling away from the pot's edges, I become dehydrated and stressed. My leaves will crisp, curl, and turn brown. I desire a consistent drink only when my top inch of soil feels dry to your touch.
The stagnant, dry air of your heated or air-conditioned home is challenging for me. Low humidity causes the delicate tips of my leaves to turn brown and crispy. It also makes me more susceptible to uninvited guests. I would be so grateful for a occasional fine misting around my leaves (not drenching my flowers), or to be placed on a pebble tray filled with water. This creates a more humid microclimate, reminiscent of my native tropics, allowing me to respirate comfortably.
Living in a confined pot means I quickly exhaust the limited nutrients available in my soil. If you never feed me, I will become pale, my growth will stall, and I will lack the energy to produce my signature perfume. During my active growing season in spring and summer, I hunger for a balanced, gentle fertilizer every few weeks. This nourishment is the fuel I need to grow lush green leaves and reward you with clouds of sweetly scented flowers.
When I am stressed from poor light, incorrect watering, or low humidity, I become vulnerable. Spider mites and aphids are particularly pesky. They pierce my leaves and suck my sap, further weakening me. You might notice fine webbing, sticky residue, or distorted, yellowing leaves. Please inspect my underside regularly. A strong spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap can evict these pests and allow me to recover my strength.
