As a plant, my very existence is powered by photosynthesis. This process requires light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into the sugars that fuel my growth. If I am placed in a spot that is too dark, my production line slows to a crawl. I simply cannot manufacture enough energy to support the massive, split leaves I am known for. You might see me producing smaller, solid leaves without fenestrations, or my stems may become long and leggy as I stretch desperately towards any available light source. To help me, please move me to a location with bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, or a few feet back from a south or west window. I do not wish to be scorched by direct sun, but I need ample ambient light to thrive.
Beneath the soil, my root system is my anchor and my primary means of absorbing water and nutrients. If my roots are unhealthy, my entire being suffers. The most common issue is improper hydration; my roots despise sitting in constantly soggy, waterlogged soil. This suffocates them, leading to root rot, which prevents them from functioning and can ultimately kill me. Conversely, if you forget to water me for too long, my roots will desiccate and become unable to absorb anything, causing my growth to halt and my leaves to droop and brown. Furthermore, if I have been in the same pot for years, I may become pot-bound. My roots will circle the pot, becoming a tangled mess that has no room to expand and gather new resources. Check my roots annually and repot me into a container one size larger with fresh, well-draining soil if I am too crowded.
While light and water are my primary fuel, I require additional nutrients to actually build new cells and grow. The soil I live in has a finite supply of these essential minerals, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Once these are depleted, my growth will inevitably stall. I am a heavy feeder, especially during the spring and summer, my active growing season. If you have not been feeding me, this is a likely culprit for my stunted state. Please provide me with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, approximately once a month during the growing season. This will give me the nutritional building blocks I need to push out new, large, and healthy leaves.
I am a tropical plant, evolved for warm, humid jungles. The typical home environment can be quite arid, especially during winter when heaters are running. Low humidity levels cause me significant stress, hindering my ability to respirate and grow properly. You may see the tips of my leaves turning brown and crispy. Similarly, I am sensitive to temperature. Cold drafts from windows or air conditioning units, as well as temperatures consistently below 60°F (15°C), will send me into dormancy, where I conserve energy and cease all growth. Place me in a room with stable, warm temperatures and consider using a humidifier or pebble tray to increase the moisture in the air around me.
