Hello, American gardener! I am the Chinese Perfume Plant, known to you as Aglaia odorata. To thrive in your care, I need to feel like I'm back in my subtropical homeland. I adore warmth and humidity. Please place me outdoors in a spot with bright, indirect light or partial shade once all danger of frost has passed. The intense, direct afternoon sun of a American summer can scorish my delicate leaves. When temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), I must come inside. I am not frost-tolerant at all. A bright, sunny windowsill or a spot under a grow light indoors will make me very happy during the colder months.
My watering needs are simple but specific. I prefer consistently moist soil, but I despise having my roots sitting in water. Please water me deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. Good drainage is absolutely non-negotiable; my roots will rot quickly in soggy conditions. As for food, I am not a heavy feeder. During my active growing season (spring and summer), a monthly treat with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength is perfect. This gives me just enough energy to produce my fragrant, yellow blooms without overwhelming me. In the fall and winter, I rest, so please stop fertilizing me.
You can help me maintain a lovely, bushy shape through light pruning. The best time to do this is in the spring, just as I begin a new growth spurt. Gently pinching back the tips of my stems encourages me to branch out, making me fuller. My tiny, yellow, ball-shaped flowers are my pride and joy, releasing a sweet, fragrance reminiscent of apricots or tea. To encourage this blooming, ensure I get plenty of bright light and the right amount of warmth. Stress from being pot-bound can actually stimulate flowering, so don't be too quick to repot me into a much larger home.
My foundation is everything. I require a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral potting mix. A standard potting soil amended with perlite or orchid bark to improve aeration and drainage is ideal. I am a relatively slow grower, so I do not need frequent repotting. You will likely only need to move me to a pot one size larger every two to three years, preferably in the spring. When you do, be gentle with my root system and ensure the new container has excellent drainage holes.
