Bronze Spike

This plant should be watered when the soil is dry. Water your plant with room temperature water until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot. Make sure not to over-water, as this can cause root rot. Soggy soil can also be a sign your plants is getting too much water. Allow the soil to dry out between each watering.

Bronze spike houseplants prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerant lower light situations. Direct sunlight, however, can cause the leaves to turn yellow and should be avoided. Keep your plant in a bright spot, but make sure it's not too close to a sunny window. If the plant starts to turn yellow, move it to a spot with a little less light.

Bronze spike does best in temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). In cooler temperatures, the leaves may curl or drop, and in hotter temperatures, it may suffer from wilting. Make sure to keep it away from drafts when temperatures dip below 60°F (15°C).

This houseplant prefers medium levels of humidity, but can withstand lower levels as well. If the air in your home or office is very dry, mist your houseplant occasionally or use a pebble tray to increase the humidity levels around your plant. Keep the foliage dry when misting.

Bronze spike does best in well-draining soil. A general potting mix is recommended such as a peat-based soil with small-sized bark chips and perlite added to help with aeration. If needed, adding a bit of compost to the soil can help to enrich it.

Fertilizing should be done every few weeks during the growing season, usually in the spring and summer months. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 5-1-2 NPK ratio and dilute it to half its strength before applying. Fertilize your plant more during active growth periods and less during its dormant period.

Pests can be an issue with houseplants and Bronze spike is no exception. Some common houseplant pests include aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Inspect your plant regularly and look for small, sap-sucking bugs, white powdery spots on leaves, and webs. To get rid of these nasty pests, you can use an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution.

Bronze spike likes to be in a ‘slightly pot-bound’ environment. This means that it prefers to have its roots slightly restricted and will only need a repot every few years. You should repot your houseplant in late winter or early spring, when the plant has just begun to awaken from its winter rest period.

Bronze spike does well with regular pruning, but is best pruned back in the spring and summer season. To prune this plant, simply take a pair of clean shears and cut back the stems to the desired length. This will help to promote bushiness. You can also pinch the tips of the stems if needed.

Mulching is an important part of caring for a Bronze spike houseplant. Mulch helps to keep moisture in and weeds out. Using a natural mulch such as shredded bark, compost, peat moss, or cocoa hulls are all good options. Make sure to spread the mulch around the base of the plant.

Propagating a Bronze spike plant is relatively easy and can be done from both stem or root cuttings. For stem cuttings, take a pair of shears and snip off the top 4-6 inches of a stem from the plant. Make sure that each cutting has two or more sets of leaves and remove any extra leaves on the lower half. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone and place in moist potting soil. For root cuttings, using a sharp knife, carefully cut off a section of the root from the plant. Dip in a rooting hormone and then place in potting soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not wet.

Young plants may need the help of a support stake or trellis to keep them upright. A stick or stake pushed into the soil will work well. Make sure that the stake is secured to the pot so it won’t topple over. As the plant grows, you can remove the stake.

Bronze spike thrives best with a short rest period in cooler weather. This means holding back on fertilizer applications for the season and waterings somewhat. This let’s the plant enter a state of dormancy, and become more resilient to disease. Generally, it’s best to avoid fertilizing during the winter rest period.

Bronze spike plants are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people, so no need to worry about them getting too close or nibbling on the leaves. However, as with any new houseplant, make sure to keep an eye on your pet and make sure they are not ingesting any pieces of the plant.