I am resting. The light is weak and the days are short, so my growth has slowed to a near halt. Your primary job is to keep me barely moist, allowing the top of my soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Do not fertilize me now; my roots cannot absorb it and it would only harm me. Please place me in the brightest spot you can find, away from cold drafts from windows or the dry, hot air from heating vents. I am gathering my strength.
I sense the light is strengthening, and my internal clock is beginning to tick a little faster. You may notice the very first signs of new, tiny leaves. Continue with cautious watering, but you can begin to watch me more closely. This is an excellent time for a gentle grooming. Use clean, sharp scissors to remove any leaves that have yellowed or stems that have become leggy and sparse over the winter. This cleaning allows me to direct energy to my healthiest parts.
I am now actively growing! With increased daylight, my photosynthesis is in full swing, and I am putting out new foliage. You can begin to feed me again. Please provide a half-strength dose of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with my monthly watering. This gentle nutrition gives me the boost I need without shocking my system. If my pot feels crowded with roots, you may consider repotting me into a slightly larger home with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
These are my favorite months! The conditions are ideal—bright, indirect light and comfortable room temperatures. Water me regularly, keeping my soil consistently moist but never soggy. I am thirsty as I work to produce abundant leaves. You can increase my fertilizer to a full-strength dose every two weeks to support this vigorous growth. Pinch back the tips of my stems; this encourages me to become bushier and fuller, setting the stage for a more spectacular display later.
Behold, I am flowering! This is the moment I have been working towards. I will cover myself in a profusion of delicate blue, white, violet, or red blossoms. To keep this show going, you must be diligent. I will need frequent watering, as blooming is thirsty work and warmer temperatures dry my soil quickly. Continue feeding me every two weeks. It is absolutely crucial that you deadhead me—remove the spent flowers by pinching them off at the stem. This prevents me from wasting energy on seed production and directs it all back into creating more glorious flowers for you.
The light is fading, and my energy is waning. My flowering will begin to slow and eventually stop. Gradually reduce how often you water me, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out more. This is also the time to stop fertilizing me entirely. I need to prepare for my rest period, and new growth stimulated by fertilizer would be weak and vulnerable to the lower light levels. A final, light pruning to shape me is helpful before I settle in for the winter.
I have returned to my dormant state. My needs are simple: light and minimal water. Place me back in that bright, cool spot you found in January. Water me very sparingly, only when the soil is quite dry to the touch. The goal is to prevent my roots from completely desiccating without encouraging any new growth. Leave me be to sleep and dream of the spring sun. Do not feed me. Just let me rest.
