First, you must understand what I am. Many know me as a tender perennial, often grown from a corm—a swollen, nutrient-storing stem base. In my native Mediterranean climate, I experience a distinct cycle of growth, bloom, dormancy, and rebirth. To treat me as a perennial houseplant, you must replicate this natural cycle. I am not like a tropical plant that grows year-round; I require a period of deep rest to gather the energy needed to bloom again for you.
After my beautiful blossoms fade, the real work begins for both of us. Do not cut back my foliage! My leaves are my solar panels. As long as they are green, they are photosynthesizing and sending crucial energy back down to my corm, strengthening it for next year's display. Place me in a spot with bright, indirect light and continue to water me regularly. You can apply a half-strength, balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks to support this energy storage process. This phase continues until my leaves naturally begin to yellow and wither, signaling that I am ready for my rest.
When my foliage has completely yellowed and died back, it is time for my dormancy. This is non-negotiable. Cease all watering and allow the soil to become completely dry. You have two choices now: you can leave my pot in a cool, dark, and dry place (like a basement or garage where temperatures stay around 50-55°F / 10-13°C), or you can carefully dig up my corms, brush off the soil, and store them in a mesh bag or paper bag filled with dry peat moss or vermiculite. This dry, cool rest period typically lasts for 8 to 12 weeks. Without this simulated "winter," I will not have the trigger to begin a new growth cycle.
When you sense the approach of a new growing season (usually late winter or early spring), it is time to wake me. If I was stored as a bare corm, you can rehydrate me by soaking me in room-temperature water for just an hour or two before planting. Plant me in fresh, well-draining potting mix with the "claw" side facing down. Water me sparingly initially, only increasing moisture as you see new green shoots emerge. Place my pot in a cool, bright location. This gradual rehydration and cool start are vital for stimulating strong root development and, ultimately, a new set of flower stalks.
To encourage the most prolific reblooming, my environment must be just right. I thrive in bright, indirect light. Direct hot sun can scorch my leaves. I prefer cooler temperatures; ideal daytime temperatures are between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Cool nights are especially beneficial for bud set. Keep my soil consistently moist but never soggy during my active growth and bloom phase—wet feet will cause my corm to rot. As new buds form, you can support me with a fertilizer higher in phosphorus to promote those large, beautiful blooms you desire.
