How to Grow Tibouchina Indoors
Sunlight
Tibouchina prefers bright, filtered sunlight. In general, direct summer sunlight is just a bit too strong, but it will not flower correctly without at least 6 to 8 hours of bright light a day. Choose a place in your home that receives consistent diffused light, or move the plant around your home periodically if necessary. If exposed to cold drafts or strong sunlight, expect the plant to start dropping leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Tibouchina flowers in the late spring or mid-summer. They’ll do well with little environmental fluctuation and should be kept in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Tibouchina dislikes extreme hot or cold temperatures and should be kept away from any harsh drafts or breezes. In addition, tibouchina loves a humid environment. Keep the plant in a naturally humid part of your home, like the kitchen or bathroom. If necessary, you can spritz the plant daily, or invest in a small space humidifier.
Watering
Keep your plant regularly moist during its growing season and throughout the summer—a deep weekly soaking should work fine. You can reduce your watering cadence in the winter months, but you should never let your plant dry out completely.
Fertilizer
Feed your tibouchina plant during its growing season with liquid fertilizer or a controlled-release fertilizer, used according to label instructions.
Pruning and Maintenance
Tibouchinas naturally grow to small trees, with a loose, open growth habit ranging up to 20 feet. In the home, the first rule of thumb is to keep your tibouchina closely trimmed by pinching off new growth shoots and gently shaping the plant to contain its sprawling growth.
Container and Size
Choose a container that is only 2 or 3 inches larger in diameter than the root of the plant. As it grows, it will need regular repotting to continue to thrive. The material used for the container doesn’t matter so much as the drainage; the plant cannot become waterlogged.
Potting Soil and Drainage
Plant your tibouchina in a loose, well-drained potting soil mixture. To keep your plant from becoming waterlogged, choose a pot that has ample drainage in its base.
Potting and Repotting Tibouchina
Proper pruning will likely slow down its growth and reduce the frequency of repotting. When you do repot the plant, go up one pot size and use fresh soil.
Moving Tibouchina Outdoors for the Summer
Tibouchina thrives in the heat and humidity, so it moves easily outdoors during the summer. There is no need to acclimate this plant to the move; it will immediately begin to enjoy the new habitat.
Considerations
Though ticouchina thrives in high temperatures, anything that dips below 70 degrees Fahrenheit could stress the plant. It isn’t a fan of direct sunlight, so keep it in a dappled area. Watch the forecast; if a deluge is coming, cover the plant’s pot to prevent it from becoming waterlogged, or move it to an area where it won’t receive direct rainfall. Moist soil is great, but fully saturated is not.
When to Bring Ticouchina Back Inside
When temperatures begin to dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to bring the plant indoors. Remember to keep it in a humid atmosphere to help it absorb the shock of the move back inside.
