Amazonia Xanadu

It has pretty specific lighting requirements. It likes a bit of filtered sun but direct sunlight will burn its leaves. It may take a little bit of moving around before you find a perfect home for it.

If it isn't getting enough light, its stems will elongate in search of light. If leaves grow with several inches of gap between them, it's the first sign it would like a little more light.

However too much sun discolours its leaves. While some yellow leaves are normal as the plant ages, a flush of yellow or bleached-looking leaves means its getting too much light, and would like to be moved to a slightly shadier spot.

It likes a good balance between the two, ideally receiving bright but indirect light. It will be happiest near a bright window in which the sunlight never fully shines in its direction

The best way to water it is to give it a generous watering until water runs out of the drainage hole of the pot. Discard any drained water because the plant doesn't like wet feet, and this can cause root rot. Allow the top layer of the soil to dry out between waterings to make sure it does not get overwatered.

Poke your finger into the soil to test its moisture level. If the top few inches of the soil are dry to the touch, then it is safe to proceed with watering, but if you can feel moisture, then you should wait before watering the plant again. The aim is to keep the lower level of soil moist but not soggy.It’s a bit of experimenting to get to the right balance but don’t worry, you’ll get it after a bit of trial and error.

Start with roughly 3 times a week. More in the hot, summer months, less in the monsoon and cooler seasons.

Once a week. Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth to get rid of any dust to make sure it absorbs all the light it needs.

1. Trim off brown leaves snipping closely to the central stem.

2. Scrape off any white mould on top of the soil. It’s just harmless fungi that lives in the soil. Lightly dust the soil with ground cinnamon.

3. Poke holes in the soil with a chopstick to aerate it and and give your plant a bit of extra breathing room. Sprinkle a tablespoon of vitamins in the soil and massage in.

4. Shine its leaves with a damp cloth, gently removing any dust. Front and back. This not only makes your plant look nicer but helps it to soak in light more easily too

5. Spin it around to make sure its leaves are sunned evenly as it tends to grow towards sunlight.

6. Clean your cork mat with soap and water or white vinegar.