Greetings, human gardener. We are the tuberose plants (*Polianthes tuberosa*), and we are pleased you are considering us for your tropical oasis project. To ensure a successful partnership where we can truly thrive and share our intoxicating fragrance, please understand our needs from our perspective.
Our very essence yearns for abundant sunlight and warmth. We are not plants of the cool, damp understory; we are children of the sun. To perform our best for you, we require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. This solar energy is the fuel we use to produce our glorious green foliage and, most importantly, our precious flower spikes. Furthermore, we despise having cold, wet feet. Our bulb-like structures (technically, we grow from tubers) will quickly rot in soggy, compacted soil. You must provide us with a bed that is exceptionally well-drained. Amending heavy garden soil with generous amounts of sand, perlite, or compost will create the loose, airy environment we need to settle our roots comfortably.
When you bring us home, timing and placement are crucial. We cannot be planted until the soil has warmed significantly and all danger of frost has passed. Planting us too early in cold ground will shock us and stunt our growth. Place our tubers about 2 to 3 inches deep into the prepared soil, with the pointed end facing upwards. Please grant us adequate space, roughly 6 to 8 inches apart. This allows each of us sufficient room to access nutrients and water without competing aggressively with our neighbors. It also promotes good air circulation around our leaves, helping to prevent fungal issues.
Once nestled in our warm, sunny bed, we will begin our work. First, we focus our energy on establishing a strong root system and sending up spear-like green leaves. This vegetative stage is vital, so please be patient. Consistent moisture during this period is appreciated, but always remember our aversion to waterlogged conditions. As the peak of summer heat arrives, we will begin our magnificent transformation. A central flower spike will emerge, growing tall and developing multiple buds. This is our grand performance. The buds will gradually open from the bottom of the spike upwards, each releasing our signature, heavy, sweet perfume primarily in the evening and night hours.
We are tender perennials, meaning we cannot survive freezing winters in the ground. Once the first frost blackens our foliage in the autumn, our above-ground growth is finished for the season. However, if you wish to enjoy our fragrance year after year, you must carefully dig up our tubers. Brush off the soil, allow us to dry in a warm, airy place for a week or two, and then store us in a cool, dark, and dry location, such as in a box of peat moss or vermiculite. Replant us the following spring when the soil warms, and we will gratefully reward your care by starting the cycle anew.
