From our perspective, the initial growth after propagation or repotting is a period of quiet but critical activity. Our primary focus is not on producing new leaves for you to see but on establishing a robust root system beneath the soil. We are absorbing water and nutrients, anchoring ourselves securely, and acclimating to the light, temperature, and humidity of our new home. This phase can last several weeks to a few months. You might perceive this as slow growth, but for us, it is a necessary investment in our future health and vitality. Rushing this process by over-fertilizing can actually harm us, so patience is key.
Once we are comfortably established, we enter a more visibly active vegetative growth phase. Under ideal conditions—bright, indirect light, consistent but moderate watering (allowing the soil to dry out between drinks), and comfortable room temperatures between 65°F and 90°F (18°C - 32°C)—we can produce new leaves quite regularly. It is not uncommon for a healthy specimen to generate 1 to 2 new leaves per month during the active growing seasons of spring and summer. Each new leaf unfurls from the center of the plant, gradually lengthening and contributing to our characteristic arching clump.
Our most distinctive growth characteristic is the production of stolons, or runners, from which our plantlets, often called "spiderettes" or "pups," develop. We typically initiate this reproductive phase once we have reached a certain level of maturity and, interestingly, often when we am slightly root-bound. This is our way of ensuring our genetic lineage continues. The development of a stolon and the subsequent growth of a pup to a viable size for propagation can take a single growing season. The rate at which we produce these offshoots is a direct indicator of our contentment with our environment.
Our growth rate is not a fixed metric but a direct response to our care and environment. Light is the primary engine of our growth; more bright, indirect light translates to faster energy production through photosynthesis. Water is crucial, but our roots are sensitive to rot, so we prefer a cycle of moisture and dryness. While we are adaptable to average home humidity, we truly thrive with slightly higher levels. A monthly application of a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength during spring and summer provides the nutrients needed to support our growth spurts, but we require little to no fertilizer in the dormant winter months.
It is important to understand that our growth is not constant throughout the year. During the shorter, cooler days of late autumn and winter, our metabolic processes slow down significantly. This is a natural period of rest for us. You will observe a pronounced slowdown, or even a complete pause, in the production of new leaves and offshoots. This is not a sign of distress but a necessary dormancy. During this time, you should reduce watering and cease fertilization, allowing us to conserve energy for the next active growing season.
