From my perspective as a plant, light is my food. I use it for photosynthesis to create the energy I need to grow and produce my famously fragrant flowers. If I am not growing, the most likely reason is that I am not receiving the correct amount or quality of light. While I dislike intense, direct afternoon sun which can scorch my leaves, I also struggle deeply in full, dense shade. I crave the dappled sunlight of a forest understory—bright but indirect light for most of the day. If I am placed in a spot that is too dark, my growth will become leggy as I stretch pathetically for any available light, and I will eventually give up on producing new leaves and flowers altogether.
My roots are incredibly sensitive and my relationship with water is a delicate one. This is a primary cause of my distress. I abhor having my roots sit in waterlogged, soggy soil. It quickly leads to root rot, a fatal condition where my roots suffocate and decay, making it impossible for me to absorb water or nutrients. The first sign is my leaves wilting and turning yellow, followed by a complete halt in growth. Conversely, I also suffer greatly from drought. If the soil is allowed to become completely dry and dusty, my fine roots will desiccate and die. The key is consistently moist, well-draining soil that feels like a wrung-out sponge—damp but not wet.
The chemistry of the soil around my roots is not a trivial matter; it is fundamental to my existence. I am an acid-loving plant, requiring a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 to properly access nutrients. If the soil is too alkaline (a common problem if I am planted near a cement foundation or watered with hard tap water), I am unable to absorb iron and other essential minerals. This results in chlorosis—yellowing leaves with green veins—and a severe stunting of my growth. Furthermore, I am not a heavy feeder. An over-application of strong fertilizer, particularly in poor soil, can easily burn my delicate roots, causing immediate shock and ceasing all growth.
I am not an adventurous plant and I despise change. Any alteration to my environment can cause me significant stress, halting growth as I focus my energy on mere survival. Being moved from a nursery pot to the ground is a massive ordeal for me. This transplant shock can cause me to sit dormant for an entire season as I painstakingly work to re-establish my root system. Similarly, exposure to harsh, drying winds, extreme temperature fluctuations, or a poorly chosen planting location can cause me to enter a state of suspended animation. I am also highly sensitive to root disturbance, so planting me near aggressive ground covers or plants that require frequent digging will constantly upset me.
