PetalPal
Safe for cats and dogs. Any plant can still upset a pet’s stomach if they eat a lot, so keep it out of reach.
Light
Full sun, 6 hours a day or more
Water
Every day in summer. Water when the surface dries.
Temperature
Happiest at 25-35°C. In winter, not below 5°C.
Feed
Every 7-10 days while it's growing
Do this when you get home
- Put it on the balcony or windowsill that gets the most sun
- When the soil surface is dry, water it through. In summer that may be every day.
Day to day
- After each flush of flowers, prune once. Cut off the tips that bloomed so new shoots come. Only new shoots flower.
- It likes acid soil. Once a month, water with diluted iron sulfate (1:1000), or with alum fertilizer water.
- In winter, bring it indoors, water less, and stop feeding
Common questions
The leaves are yellow but the veins are still green?
Classic iron chlorosis (the soil is too alkaline). Water with diluted iron sulfate. Fermented rice-rinsing water works for everyday watering too.
Lots of leaves, no flowers?
Usually not enough light, or too much nitrogen. Give it more sun, and switch to a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer when it should be blooming.
