Greetings, caretaker. We are the Aglaia odorata, often known as the Chinese Perfume Plant. While we are inherently resilient, we truly flourish when our fundamental needs are met with consistency rather than intensity. Here is our guide to a harmonious, low-maintenance coexistence.
We adore bright, dappled sunlight. Think of the light that filters through the canopy of a taller tree. A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, protecting our delicate leaves from the harsh, scorching rays of the midday sun which can cause us stress and leaf scorch. We are tropical beings at heart, thriving in consistent warmth. We prefer temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C - 29°C). Please bring us indoors or to a sheltered location if temperatures threaten to drop below 50°F (10°C), as we are not frost-tolerant and cold drafts are deeply unsettling to our systems.
Our relationship with water is simple: we desire consistency but despise sogginess. The goal is a moist but never waterlogged root environment. Please check the top inch of our soil; if it feels dry to the touch, it is time for a deep, thorough drink. If it still feels cool and moist, we are content. Overwatering is a primary cause of our distress, leading to root rot, which is a serious and often fatal condition for us. In winter, when our growth slows, we require significantly less water, so please adjust your routine accordingly.
Our most important requirement is a well-draining home. We need a potting mix that allows excess water to flow away from our roots freely. A standard potting mix amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand is perfect. This structure provides the aeration and drainage we crave, preventing water from pooling around our root zone. The pH of the soil is less critical, but we are happiest in a slightly acidic to neutral range.
We are not heavy feeders. A gentle, balanced fertilizer applied once a month during our active growing season (spring and summer) is more than sufficient to support our growth and encourage our fragrant blooming. Please do not over-fertilize us; an excess of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, can promote weak, leggy growth at the expense of our signature sweet-smelling flowers. During autumn and winter, we are resting and require no supplemental feeding at all.
We naturally maintain a pleasant, rounded form. Pruning is only necessary to remove any dead or damaged branches, to control our size if we are outgrowing our space, or to encourage a bushier habit. The best time for this light shaping is in the spring, just before a new surge of growth. Simply trim back the stems to a leaf node. This minimal intervention helps us direct our energy efficiently.
