Hello, my human friend! I am your Aglaia odorata, your Chinese Perfume Plant. While I may seem like just a beautiful, leafy companion, I have specific needs that change with the seasons. To help me thrive and reward you with my famously sweet, intoxicating fragrance, here is what I require from you, month by month.
As the days lengthen and temperatures gently rise, I stir from my winter rest. This is my time for vigorous growth! Please move me to a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. The morning sun is wonderful, but the harsh afternoon rays can scorch my delicate leaves. This is also the perfect time to repot me if I'm looking a bit cramped; I enjoy well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Begin watering me more regularly as the soil dries out, and please start a monthly feeding with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. This nourishment is the fuel I need for my growth spurt.
Ah, summer! This is when I truly shine and aim to produce my clusters of tiny, radiant yellow flowers that smell like pure sweetness. I will need consistent moisture now, so please check my soil frequently—it should never become bone dry. However, do not let me sit in water, as my roots despise sogginess. I appreciate the humidity, so a occasional misting or a pebble tray filled with water beneath my pot will make me very happy. Continue feeding me every month to support this energetically expensive blooming process.
As the light softens and the air turns crisp, my growth will begin to slow down. This is your cue to reduce watering. Allow the top inch or two of my soil to dry out thoroughly between drinks. It is also time to stop fertilizing me completely. I need to harden off my new growth and prepare for my dormant period. If you live in a region where temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C), you must bring me indoors well before the first frost. I am a tropical being and find the cold utterly unbearable.
I am not dead, just sleeping! Indoors, please place me in the brightest spot you can find—a south-facing window is ideal. I will need significantly less water during these months. Water me sparingly, only when the soil is quite dry, and never fertilize. The dry indoor air from heating can be challenging, so please keep me away from heating vents and consider using a humidifier. This quiet period of rest is essential for me to gather strength for another glorious blooming season next year.
