Q) How long does it take for the bulb to sprout?
A) If you place the bulb under our grow light, it usually takes about 1 month or less for it to sprout.

Under indirect sun (filtered by windows), it take about 1-5 months. From our experience, the best condition for it to sprout is when bright filtered sun rays hit the bulb. The duration it takes to sprout very much depends on the amount of light the bulb receives, as the plant has to convert light energy into energy to push out new growths.

Q) How much do I water and what’s the frequency before it sprouts?
A) The care tips is the same before or after the leaves have sprouted. Water when the soil is 80% dry. If the soil mix is light brown, it’s dry and you may proceed to water.

Q) What’s special about the Phyllanthus Mirabilis?
A) It’s a beautiful plant with leaves of fiery-red tones. With leaves extending outwards, it resembles a bonsai, but just without the high maintenance. Place it at a bright spot next to the window and water it once a week. Admire the movement of the leaves, which open and close. Leaves close when the plant needs to conserve energy, and open when the plant needs to trap sunlight.

Q) What is this plant?
A) It’s a caudex plant, meaning it grows leaves from a bulb. 

Q) Is it high maintenance?
A) If you have a bright spot next to the window, you don’t have to worry much about it. Simply water it once a week and it will grow healthily.

Q) Where do I put it?
A) You can put it next to a window for bright filtered light, or put it under direct morning/evening sun rays. 

Q) How often do I need to water it?
A) You can water when the soil mix becomes light brown indicating that it’s dry. Do not water when it’s dark brown as the soil mix is still wet. 

Q) Do I need to repot it very soon?
A) The bulb doesn’t really grow in size, it’s the leaves which will multiply. If you repot, it will be because of aesthetics reasons. Not repotting will not affect the plant health, because their roots are short and soft. So they only need to be potted in a small pot. 

Q) Can I prune the leaves?
A) Yes you can absolutely do that. You can even pluck out the whole stem and it will grow again. However, the colours may not look very vibrant if you pluck the stem for a few times and regrow the leaves. Ensure there are still leaves left on the stem to make food for the plant.  

Q) Do I have to apply fertiliser?
A) If you feel that the colour of the leaves are not very vibrant, you can apply slow release fertiliser

Q) Do I have to apply insecticide?
A) If you place the plant outdoors, it might attract pests. You may mist nature’s defenders once a week on its leaves, stems and bulb. Do not let the insecticide become large droplets on the thin leaves as it might cause fertiliser burn.

A soil mix that’s rocky and has lots of air spaces for drainage e.g. 
The Plant Loft Rock soil mix (click for product URL)

Nil

Fast if location is bright 

Not necessary 

Toxic to pets

Problem: Mealybugs infestation.
Solution: Remove bugs with a brush and spray nature’s defender insecticide once a week.

Problem: Black tips on the leaves
Cause: Fertiliser overdose
Solution: Go easy on the fertiliser

Problem: Leaves dropping
Cause: Slow metabolism
Solution: Shift it to a brighter spot, expose to longer hours of indirect sun, or invest in a grow light