Provide as much light as possible. Some early morning or late afternoon sunshine is very beneficial; protect against midday sun. Keep humidity above average by placing the plant on a pebble tray or by adding a humidifier nearby. If your plant is actively growing, feed it about once a month with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer that is diluted to half strength or less. Do not fertilize during the winter months or if the plant is grown in low light. If you are watering exclusively through the tank, fill a spray bottle with a very weak fertilizer solution and mist the leaves lightly. Average household room temperatures between 15°C (60°F) to 24°C (75°F) are fine.

Sooner or later a Hibiscus will become straggly and long-limbed, producing fewer and smaller flowers, so at the beginning of the growing season – late February or early March – give your plant a haircut. Able to withstand heavy pruning, don’t be afraid to remove about 1/3 of the plant with very sharp shears. Cutting back your Hibiscus will stimulate new growth – more branches and more flowers.

Transplanting from soil to hydroculture is successful but not for the faint of heart; the plant will shed all of its leaves within a week or two after it’s removed from soil. Don’t fret; new leaves will emerge even before water roots form. I’d suggest converting to hydroculture in the spring when it’s time to prune.

High levels of humidity are essential in keeping this Maranta happy and healthy. Place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or add a humidifier nearby to increase the moisture in the air. Keep the porous soil moist at all times and never allow it to dry out completely. Average room temperatures between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (80°F) are ideal, and cold drafts must be avoided. Protect this specimen from direct exposure to sunlight, which will damage the leaves and cause them to fade, and place it in bright light to intensify the dramatic variegation.

Learn more: The Maranta Quartet