I am available with all sorts of different leaves that all need the same care, except for the amount of light. The lighter my leaves, the more light I need. I’d prefer a spot near a east or west facing window, or a few metres away from a south facing window. I don’t like draft winds and cold, so keep that in mind. Once I have a spot I like, please let me stay there, I don’t like change very much.

My soil should always stay moist, but not wet. Preferably, give me a regular sip of lukewarm water and, before watering me, check how moist my soil still is. Before watering me, always check if I am thirsty or not. You can check by lifting me up. Am I heavy? Skip the watering. Am I light? Give me a sip. You can also stick your finger in my soil. Finger comes out with soil sticking to it? I don’t need water just yet. Finger comes out dry? Then I’d like some water. I also prefer to be watered from the bottom, by putting water in my saucer. This way, I can drink how much I need. After 15 minutes I am done drinking and you can use the remaining water to water other plants.

I like to be fertilized once a month during the growing season, which runs from March to September. Please stick to the recommended amount of fertilizer stated on the packaging.

Don’t immediately put me in a new pot if you have just bought me. I like to be in my original pot for the first few months, to recover from the change of environment. As soon as I feel at home, I like to get a new pot every year. It has to be at least 20% larger than my previous pot. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. It is best to repot me in spring, when I am at my strongest. Do you see my roots growing through the bottom of the pot, or is the pot bursting open? Then you can repot me earlier as well.

It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

You can prune me when my branches get very long and I am no longer in shape. By pruning, you stimulate new growth and a bushier look. Do I have some dead leaves? Shake me from side to side and they will fall off easily.

Do you want clean, purified air in your home? Choose me! I can convert the CO2 in your house into oxygen. This creates healthier air in the house and gives you a concentration boost. This also makes me a real winner at the office!

I am also called the strangler tree. In nature, I can grow in the hollows of trees, because animals spread seeds through the forest and these can end up in very strange places. When growing on this tree, I let my aerial roots fall down quickly to become a big, strong tree. I grow up very fast to reach the light above me. In doing so, I completely disregard the plants around me. Eventually, I become so big that the tree and the plants I have grown over cannot get enough light anymore and die.  

No, I am not edible.