Wax Plant

Place Wax Plant according to its light needs: Bright, indirect light. A little direct morning sun encourages blooms. For watering, water when the top inch of soil is dry; drier in winter. For the potting medium, use chunky, airy mix with orchid bark and perlite. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer. 16–28°C. A cool, dry winter triggers flowering. Check the compost before watering instead of following a rigid calendar, since light, temperature, pot size and season all affect how quickly it dries. During slower growth, reduce watering and wait longer between drinks.

Stem cuttings with two leaf nodes root readily in water or mix. Propagation is most reliable during the plant's active growing season, when warmth and good light help new roots establish. Start with clean tools and healthy material, and keep the new plant in conditions appropriate for the parent. Where a cutting or division creates a wound, allow the surface to dry before planting unless the method calls for immediate rooting in water or moist mix. Once roots form and fresh growth appears, gradually move the young Wax Plant into its normal watering routine; excess moisture is especially risky while the root system is still small.