From our perspective, we are sun-worshippers. To truly thrive indoors, we require a location that provides us with at least six to eight hours of direct, bright sunlight daily. A south-facing windowsill is our ideal spot. Without sufficient light, our stems will become weak and leggy as we strain toward the light source, and our flower production will be disappointingly sparse. We prefer a comfortable room temperature, similar to what you humans enjoy, between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Please keep us away from cold drafts from windows or the direct, dry heat from vents, as these sudden temperature fluctuations can cause us stress.
We have a fundamental need for well-draining soil. Our roots despise being waterlogged, as this leads to rot and will ultimately kill us. Please plant us in a pot that has ample drainage holes and use a high-quality, lightweight potting mix. You can even mix in a handful of perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage further, which makes for a perfect growing medium for our root systems. While we are not overly demanding regarding soil fertility, a neutral to slightly alkaline pH is most to our liking.
Watering is a delicate dance. Our watering needs are moderate. We prefer a "soak and dry" approach. Please water us deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch, allowing water to flow freely from the drainage holes. Then, it is crucial to let the soil dry out somewhat before watering again. We would much rather you underwater us than overwater us. Constantly soggy soil is our greatest enemy indoors. Good drainage is not just a suggestion; it is a requirement for our survival.
To support our continuous blooming cycle indoors, we will benefit from occasional feeding. However, we are not heavy feeders. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 formula) diluted to half-strength, applied once every four to six weeks during our active growing and flowering season, is perfectly sufficient. Please avoid over-fertilizing, as this will encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of our beautiful blue, pink, white, or purple flowers.
If you wish to enjoy our blooms for an extended period, you must help us with deadheading. As our flowers begin to fade and die, simply pinch or snip off the spent bloom just above the next set of leaves. This process signals to us that we should redirect our energy away from seed production and into creating new flowers. Regularly removing these old blooms will encourage us to keep flowering profusely throughout the season.
While generally resilient, we can sometimes be bothered by common indoor plant pests like aphids or spider mites. Please inspect our leaves and stems regularly. A strong spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap usually suffices to manage these issues. The most common problem you will face is root rot due to overwatering, which is why we emphasize proper drainage so strongly. Powdery mildew can also occur in stagnant air conditions, so ensuring good air circulation around us is helpful.
