From our perspective, light is our primary source of energy. We are sun-worshipping perennials by nature, and when brought indoors, the intensity and duration of light we receive is often drastically reduced. A common mistake is placing us on a dim windowsill or far from a light source. We will respond by becoming leggy, with weak, elongated stems straining towards any available light. Our growth will be sparse, and our characteristic compact, bushy form will be lost. We may even refuse to flower, as we lack the energy to produce blooms. To truly thrive, we require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, bright sunlight daily, ideally from a south-facing window.
Many gardeners assume that more nutrients and more water equate to better growth. For us, this is a critical error. We are adapted to thrive in poor, lean, well-draining soils. Planting us in a rich, heavy, moisture-retentive potting mix is a death sentence. It leads to waterlogged roots, which cannot access the oxygen we need. This creates an environment where root rot pathogens flourish. Our roots will suffocate and decay, and this will manifest above the soil as yellowing leaves, a general wilting despite wet soil, and eventual collapse. We demand a gritty, sharply draining mix, perhaps amended with sand or perlite, and a pot with excellent drainage. Water us only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
Our natural habitat is in open meadows and prairies where breezes constantly move around us. Confining us to a stagnant, humid indoor environment invites trouble. Poor air circulation around our foliage creates a perfect microclimate for fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which appears as a white, powdery coating on our leaves. This inhibits our photosynthesis and weakens us significantly. Placing us in a frequently used room or occasionally using a small fan to gently move the air can mimic our preferred breezy conditions and keep our leaves dry and healthy.
Humans often forget that we have an innate annual cycle. We are not meant to grow at the same pace year-round. A significant mistake is trying to force us to maintain vigorous growth through the winter. We require a period of dormancy to rest and reset for the next growing season. Without a cooler winter rest period, we become exhausted, our growth becomes weak, and our lifespan is shortened. To honor our cycle, reduce watering significantly in the late fall and winter and allow us to experience cooler temperatures (around 50-60°F or 10-15°C) if possible. We may die back, but this is normal. We will reward you with vigorous, healthy new growth when the light increases in spring.
While we are not overly fussy, our rhizomatous root systems are naturally expansive and spreading. Keeping us in a small pot for too long leads to becoming pot-bound. Our roots become a dense, tangled mass that circles the pot, unable to effectively uptake water and nutrients. This stress will stunt our growth, reduce flowering, and make us more susceptible to pests and diseases. Please monitor our root system and be prepared to divide us or repot us into a slightly larger container every few years to give our roots the space they need to support healthy top growth.
