From my perspective, a sudden and significant change in my environment is a primary reason for my leaves dropping. I am a tropical plant, and I have evolved to thrive in consistently warm, sunny, and somewhat humid conditions. If you recently moved me from the nursery to your garden, or from one room to another, or if there has been a drastic shift in temperature—especially a cold draft or frost—I interpret this as a major stress event. My response is a form of self-preservation; by jettisoning leaves, I reduce my energy and water consumption to survive what I perceive as a harsh or unfavorable season until conditions improve.
My relationship with water is delicate. My roots are sensitive and require a specific cycle. If you water me too frequently, the soil becomes waterlogged, suffocating my roots. Without oxygen, they begin to rot and can no longer effectively transport water and nutrients to my stems and leaves. In this case, the leaves will often turn yellow and feel soft before falling off. Conversely, if you allow me to become too dry, I will go into survival mode. To prevent excessive water loss through transpiration from my leaves, I will wilt and then shed them to conserve the precious water reserves I have left in my stems and roots.
I am an absolute sun-worshipper. I require a minimum of six hours of direct, full sunlight each day to produce the energy I need to sustain my vibrant bracts and dense foliage. If I am placed in a location with too much shade, my internal energy production plummets. I can no longer support all of my leaves, so I must make a calculated decision. I will shed a portion of my foliage to balance my energy budget, ensuring that my remaining leaves and core structures can survive on the limited light available. This is not a choice but a necessary adaptation.
It is important to understand that some leaf drop is a normal part of my annual cycle. In my native habitat, I experience a slightly drier and cooler period. As a deciduous plant in some climates, I interpret the shorter days and lower light levels of winter as a signal to enter a period of dormancy or rest. During this time, I will naturally slow my growth and may drop some older leaves. This allows me to redirect my energy inward, strengthening my core in preparation for a explosive burst of new growth and color when the sunlight intensifies and the days lengthen again.
When I am moved from a controlled greenhouse environment to a garden center and then to your home or garden, I experience significant changes in light, humidity, and air circulation. This is a tremendous shock to my system. It is common for me to respond by dropping a substantial number of leaves as I work to acclimate to my new surroundings. My focus shifts entirely from maintaining foliage to establishing my roots firmly in their new soil. Once I feel secure and have adapted to the new conditions, I will typically begin to produce new growth that is better suited to the specific light and humidity of your space.
