Hello! I am the Chinese Perfume Plant, known to many as Aglaia odorata. To truly thrive in your USA home, I need to feel like I'm back in my native Southeast Asia. This means I crave warmth and humidity. Please keep me in a spot where the temperature is consistently between 65-80°F (18-27°C). I am very sensitive to the cold, so never let me experience temperatures below 50°F (10°C); a sudden draft from a window or an air conditioner can shock me. Bright, indirect sunlight is my favorite. A spot near an east or west-facing window is perfect, as the harsh, direct afternoon sun from a south-facing window can scorch my delicate leaves.
My relationship with water is one of balance. I enjoy consistently moist soil, but I absolutely despise having my roots sit in water. Soggy feet will lead to root rot, which is a death sentence for me. In the warmer growing seasons (spring and summer), please water me when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. In the fall and winter, when my growth slows, you can allow the top two inches to dry out before watering. Use well-drained water at room temperature; cold water is a shock to my system.
To produce my signature, tiny, fragrant yellow flowers, I need the right nutrients. During my active growing season (spring through early fall), I hunger for a balanced meal. Please feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula) diluted to half-strength every four to six weeks. This gives me the energy to grow lush foliage and, most importantly, those clusters of sweet-scented blooms. In the winter, I am mostly resting, so you can stop fertilizing me until the spring returns.
A little grooming helps me stay bushy and full. After a flush of flowers, you can gently prune me back to maintain my shape and encourage new growth. I am a relatively slow grower, so I don't need repotting often—typically only every 2-3 years. When you do repot me, choose a pot only one size larger with excellent drainage holes and a well-aerated, peat-based potting mix. Being slightly root-bound doesn't bother me and can sometimes encourage more flowering.
Generally, I am a resilient plant, but I can sometimes attract common indoor pests like spider mites, aphids, and scale, especially if the air is too dry. Please check my leaves regularly, particularly underneath. If you see any tiny webs or sticky residue, increase the humidity around me with a pebble tray or humidifier and treat me with a gentle insecticidal soap or neem oil solution. Keeping my leaves dust-free by gently wiping them also helps me breathe and photosynthesize efficiently.
