We crave bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sunlight that filters through the canopy of a tall forest—that is perfect for us. A spot near an east or west-facing window is ideal. Direct, harsh afternoon sun will scorch our beautiful leaves, leaving unsightly brown marks. Conversely, if we are kept in deep shade, we will become leggy as we stretch desperately for light, and we will refuse to produce our delicate, wing-shaped flowers. A little morning sun is acceptable and can even enhance the vibrant colors of our foliage.
We enjoy consistently moist soil, but we are not aquatic plants. "Moist" does not mean "soggy." Please water us thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. Allow the water to run through our pot's drainage holes, then empty the saucer beneath promptly. We despise having our roots sit in water, as this leads to root rot, a fatal condition for us. In the winter, when our growth slows, you can reduce watering frequency slightly, allowing the soil to dry out a bit more between drinks.
We are tropical beings and thrive in warm, humid environments similar to our native jungle floors. Temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C) are perfect. Please keep us away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and heating sources, as sudden temperature fluctuations cause us stress. We love humidity. If your home is dry, especially in winter, please mist our leaves regularly, place our pot on a tray of pebbles with water (ensure the pot is not sitting in the water), or group us with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
To support our rapid growth and prolific flowering, we require regular feeding during our active growing season (spring and summer). Please feed us with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength every two to four weeks. This provides the essential nutrients we need to produce strong canes and those beautiful, pendulous flower clusters. In the fall and winter, you should stop fertilizing us, as we are resting and cannot process the nutrients, which could harm our roots.
A little grooming goes a long way. Regularly pinch back the growing tips of our canes to encourage a bushier, fuller form rather than a tall, lanky one. Use clean, sharp scissors to remove any dead or yellowing leaves to keep us looking our best and to prevent disease. After our flowers fade, you can snip off the entire flower cluster at its base. If we become too large or unruly, do not be afraid to make hard cuts on the canes; we are resilient and will respond with vigorous new growth.
