To truly help me thrive indoors, you must first understand where I come from. I am native to the warm, humid, and partially shaded subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and Southern China. This means my fundamental needs are consistent warmth, high humidity, and bright but indirect light. I am not frost-tolerant at all; temperatures below 45°F (7°C) are very dangerous for me. My growth cycle involves active growth in the warm months and a period of slower growth, or semi-dormancy, during the shorter, cooler days of winter. Replicating these conditions as closely as possible is the key to my health and happiness inside your US home.
I crave bright, filtered light. A spot near an east-facing window is ideal, as it provides the gentle morning sun I love. A south or west-facing window can also work, but you must shield me with a sheer curtain to protect my delicate leaves from the harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch them. During the dark winter months, I will appreciate being moved to the brightest spot available. For temperature, please keep me in a room that stays consistently between 65°F and 80°F (18°C - 27°C). Most importantly, keep me far away from cold drafts from windows or doors in winter and from the direct, drying blast of air conditioning vents in summer.
This is perhaps the most critical aspect of my care indoors, especially in the dry air common in US homes due to heating and cooling systems. Low humidity stresses me, leading to brown leaf tips, leaf drop, and an increased susceptibility to pests like spider mites. To keep my foliage lush, please increase the humidity around me. You can do this by placing my pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensure the pot is not sitting in the water), grouping me with other plants, or, best of all, running a humidifier nearby. A gentle misting of my leaves can provide temporary relief, but it is not a long-term solution on its own.
My watering needs are for consistent moisture, but I despise having "wet feet." Water me thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, allowing excess water to drain completely from the pot's bottom. Never let me sit in a saucer of water, as this will cause my roots to rot. In winter, reduce watering frequency as my growth slows and the soil takes longer to dry out. For food, I am not a heavy feeder. During my active growing season (spring and summer), please feed me monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. I do not require any fertilizer during the fall and winter.
I require a well-draining potting mix to prevent root rot. A standard premium potting mix amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand to improve aeration and drainage is perfect. I am not a particularly fast grower indoors, so I will only need repotting every 2-3 years, or when you see roots circling the pot's interior or growing from the drainage hole. When you do repot me, choose a new container that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter to prevent excess soil from staying wet for too long. Spring is the best time for this task, just as I am entering my main growth period.
