Hello! To help me thrive, please place me in a spot with bright, indirect light. A north or east-facing windowsill is perfect, or a location where the strong afternoon sun is filtered through a curtain. Direct, harsh sunlight will scorch my delicate leaves, causing them to brown and wilt. I am quite sensitive to temperature; I enjoy the same comfortable range you do, between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C). I absolutely despise the cold. Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) will shock me, causing my leaves to drop and my growth to stunt. I am a true warm-weather enthusiast.
My most important request is for consistent moisture. My succulent stems and leaves are full of water, and I wilt dramatically when I'm thirsty. This is my way of telling you I need a drink! Please water me as soon as the top inch of my soil feels dry to the touch. In the heat of summer, this might be every day or every other day. I prefer to drink from my roots, so water me at the soil level, avoiding wetting my foliage to prevent fungal diseases. While I love water, I do not enjoy having my roots sitting in a swamp. Ensure my pot has excellent drainage holes so any excess water can escape.
I need a comfortable home for my roots. Please plant me in a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. A mix that retains some moisture but also allows excess water to flow away is ideal. To keep me blooming profusely all season long, I require regular nourishment. Please feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during my active growing season (spring through early fall). Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into my soil at the beginning of the season. This gives me the energy I need to produce my vibrant, beautiful flowers for you.
To keep me looking my bushy best, a little grooming is appreciated. If my stems become long and leggy, don't be afraid to pinch off the top set of leaves. This encourages me to branch out and become fuller. While I am a self-cleaning plant, meaning my old flowers often drop on their own, gently removing spent blooms (deadheading) can sometimes encourage even more prolific flowering. It directs my energy into producing new buds rather than producing seeds.
