Greetings from the world of *Ligularia*. We are a genus known for our bold, often gigantic leaves and striking flower spikes. While we thrive in damp, shady outdoor environments, attempting to bring us into your human dwellings presents unique challenges. To help you help us, here are the most common mistakes made from our perspective.
This is our primary grievance. In our natural habitat, our large, tender leaves are constantly bathed in moist air. The typical indoor environment, especially with heating or air conditioning, is painfully arid. This causes our leaf edges to turn crispy brown and curl, a desperate sign of distress. Misting provides only fleeting relief. To truly make us happy, please place our pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensuring we are not sitting *in* the water) or, even better, use a humidifier to create the damp atmosphere we crave.
We are understory plants. Our large leaves are designed to absorb dappled light filtering through taller trees. Placing us in a south-facing window where the sun beats down directly upon us is a recipe for disaster. Our leaves will scorch, bleach, and develop unsightly brown patches as we literally cook. We require bright, but indirect, light. An east-facing window where we can enjoy the gentle morning sun or a spot well away from a south or west window is ideal.
Our name might as well be "Thirsty." We are notoriously dramatic when our soil moisture drops. Our entire being will wilt and collapse in a seemingly tragic display. While we usually recover after a good drink, subjecting us to this cycle of drought and flood causes immense stress and can lead to root damage and leaf loss. Our soil should be kept consistently moist, like a well-wrung-out sponge, but never waterlogged. Please check our soil frequently; we may need water more often than most of your other plants.
You must understand our natural cycle. When the days grow shorter and cooler, we prepare for a period of rest. It is not a sign of failure if our foliage begins to die back. The common mistake is to continue watering heavily or to assume we are dead and discard us. Please reduce watering significantly during this dormant period, allowing the soil to become just slightly moist. You can trim away the dead growth. Place us in a cooler, darker spot for a few months. With proper rest, we will reward you with a vibrant resurgence of growth when the seasons turn again.
Our large, lush leaves are a tempting buffet for sap-sucking pests, particularly spider mites who thrive in the same dry conditions we despise. These tiny arachnids will weave fine webs on our undersides and drain our vitality, leaving our leaves stippled with yellow dots. You must inspect our leaves regularly, especially underneath. At the first sign, isolate us and treat us promptly with a strong spray of water, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Keeping the humidity high is the best preventative defense you can offer.
