My leaves are my solar panels. To produce large, healthy foliage, I require a consistent and ample source of bright, indirect light. This is the primary energy source for all my growth processes. Direct, harsh sunlight will scorch my leaves, causing brown, crispy patches that permanently damage my panels. Conversely, low light will force me to become "leggy" as I stretch desperately towards any light source, and my new leaves will be small, sparse, and pale. An east-facing window is ideal, or a spot a few feet back from a south or west window. If you notice my new growth is small and the space between leaves is large, I am telling you I need more light. Rotate my pot a quarter turn every time you water me to ensure all sides receive equal light and I grow evenly.
My relationship with water is crucial. My large, beautiful leaves are full of moisture, but my roots despise sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil. This quickly leads to root rot, which will prevent me from absorbing any water or nutrients at all, causing my leaves to turn yellow, droop, and fall off. You must allow the top few inches of my soil to dry out between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil; if it feels dry up to your first knuckle, it is time for a deep, thorough drink. Water me until it runs freely from the drainage holes, then always empty the saucer afterward. I prefer consistency over a erratic schedule.
While light and water are my primary needs, to support the significant energy expenditure of creating large leaves, I require supplemental nutrition. During my active growing season (spring and summer), feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength approximately once a month. This provides the essential nitrogen I need for lush, green leaf development and other macro and micronutrients for overall health. Please do not over-fertilize me, as this will cause a harmful buildup of salts in my soil and can burn my roots. In the fall and winter, when my growth naturally slows, you should stop feeding me altogether as I am resting.
My leaf health is directly tied to my surroundings. I am a tropical plant, so I thrive in warm temperatures and relatively high humidity. Average household temperatures are usually fine, but please keep me away from cold drafts and heating vents. Dry air is a primary enemy of large leaves; it can cause the edges to turn brown and crisp. To increase humidity, you can mist my leaves regularly, place a humidifier nearby, or set my pot on a pebble tray filled with water. Furthermore, my leaves are dust magnets. A layer of dust blocks sunlight and reduces my photosynthetic efficiency. Gently wipe my leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them clean and gleaming.
Finally, recognize that I am a living organism with a natural growth pattern. As I mature, it is normal for me to drop my oldest, smallest lower leaves to direct energy to new, larger growth higher up. If you desire a fuller plant, you can prune the top of my main stem; this will encourage me to branch out. Also, ensure my root system has adequate but not excessive space. Being slightly pot-bound is acceptable and can sometimes encourage foliage growth, but if I become severely root-bound, I will be unable to access enough water and nutrients, which will stunt my leaf growth. Repot me into a container only one size larger when my roots have comfortably filled the current pot.
