To understand our need for fertilizer, you must first understand our origins. We hail from the understory forests of French Polynesia, specifically the Society Islands. In this natural habitat, our roots seek nourishment from a complex ecosystem of decaying organic matter—fallen leaves, decomposing wood, and animal waste—that slowly releases nutrients into the soil. We are not heavy feeders by nature; we are adept at thriving in nutrient-poor conditions by efficiently extracting what we need. Our primary nutritional requirements are for three key macronutrients: Nitrogen (N) for lush, green leaf development, Phosphorus (P) for strong root growth, and Potassium (K) for overall plant health and physiological functions.
In the controlled environment of a pot inside a US home, our situation changes dramatically. The initial potting mix, while formulated to sustain us, contains a finite supply of nutrients. With each watering, trace amounts are flushed away, a process known as leaching. Over time, typically 6-12 months, the soil becomes depleted. We cannot send our roots searching for new sources of food as we would in the wild. This is where fertilizer acts as a crucial dietary supplement. It replenishes the exhausted nutrients in our soil, ensuring we have the necessary building blocks for photosynthesis, cell division, and energy production, preventing stagnation and promoting vibrant health.
Without this supplemental nutrition, we will begin to show clear signs of distress. Our most common plea for help is through our foliage. You may observe slowed or completely halted growth, especially during our prime growing seasons of spring and summer. Our newest leaves may emerge smaller than previous ones, and our overall vibrancy will fade. A tell-tale sign of nitrogen deficiency is chlorosis—a yellowing of the older leaves while the veins may remain green. Without adequate nutrients, we cannot produce sufficient chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for our green color and our ability to convert sunlight into energy. We become weak and susceptible to pests and diseases.
For optimal health, we request a balanced and gentle feeding approach. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula) diluted to half or even a quarter of its recommended strength is ideal. This provides a complete spectrum of nutrients without risking a harmful buildup of salts in the soil that can burn our delicate roots. Please feed us this diluted solution every 4-6 weeks during our active growing period (spring and summer). In the fall and winter, when our growth naturally slows due to lower light levels, you should cease fertilization entirely. We are largely dormant during this time and cannot process the nutrients, which will then accumulate in the soil and cause root damage.
