The Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant (Brunfelsia pauciflora) is a popular choice for container gardening due to its striking floral display and unique color-changing blossoms. Its adaptability makes it suitable for patios or as an indoor plant, bringing vibrant color to various settings.
Essential Care for Potted Plants
Potted Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plants thrive when provided with specific environmental conditions that mimic their natural habitat. Understanding these needs is fundamental for cultivating a healthy, blooming specimen in a container.
Light
Providing the correct amount of light is important for your potted Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant. Outdoors, the plant performs best in full sun to partial shade, ideally with protection from intense afternoon sun. Indoors, a bright, south-facing window with ample indirect light is suitable. Insufficient light leads to sparse foliage and reduced flowering, while excessive direct sun can cause leaf scorching.
Watering
Proper watering is fundamental for potted Brunfelsia pauciflora. The plant prefers consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent roots from sitting in standing water. Regular monitoring helps maintain optimal hydration, especially during warmer periods.
Soil and Potting
Selecting the right potting mix and container is important for the health of your plant. A well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix is preferred for Brunfelsia pauciflora. A mix for acid-loving plants or a general-purpose mix amended with peat moss or perlite provides necessary drainage and aeration. Choose a pot with sufficient drainage holes to prevent water accumulation. Terracotta pots help with aeration, while plastic retains moisture longer.
Temperature and Humidity
Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels helps the potted plant thrive. These plants prefer temperatures ranging from 60-75°F (15-24°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night. They appreciate high humidity, especially indoors. To increase humidity, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water or use a room humidifier. Avoid placing the plant near cold drafts or heat vents, which cause sudden temperature fluctuations.
Fertilizing
Regular fertilization supports robust growth and abundant flowering in potted plants. During the active growing season (spring through early autumn), feed your Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant every two to four weeks. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, or one formulated for acid-loving plants, diluted to half strength. Suspend fertilization during cooler, dormant months to allow the plant to rest.
Understanding the Color Change
The captivating color transformation of Brunfelsia pauciflora flowers is a distinctive feature. Freshly opened blooms display a rich violet or purple hue. Over a few days, they gradually fade through shades of lavender, ultimately transitioning to pure white before wilting.
This change is attributed to alterations in the flower’s pigments as it ages. The initial purple is due to anthocyanin pigments, sensitive to pH changes within the cells. As the flower matures, these pigments degrade or undergo chemical modifications, resulting in the progressive loss of purple and the emergence of underlying white pigment.
Pruning and Maintenance
Regular pruning maintains the shape and vigor of a potted Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant. Light pruning after a flush of blooms encourages bushier growth and promotes subsequent flowering cycles. Deadheading spent flowers redirects the plant’s energy towards new growth and blooms rather than seed production, also keeping the plant tidy.
Repotting becomes necessary when the plant becomes root-bound, indicated by roots circling the pot or emerging from drainage holes. This usually occurs every one to two years, depending on growth rate. Choose a pot one or two sizes larger than the current one, and carefully transfer the plant using fresh potting mix. This provides new nutrients and space for root expansion, contributing to continued health and flowering.
Common Issues
Even with proper care, potted Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plants can encounter specific challenges. Recognizing these issues and their likely causes helps in providing timely solutions. Addressing problems early can prevent further stress to the plant and promote its recovery.
Yellowing leaves, particularly on older foliage, can indicate a nutrient deficiency (especially iron) or incorrect watering. If the plant is not blooming despite appearing healthy, it might be receiving insufficient light or lack proper fertilization during its active growing season. Adjusting light exposure or implementing a consistent feeding schedule can resolve this. If flowers are not exhibiting their characteristic color change, it could be due to environmental stress, inconsistent watering, or extreme temperature fluctuations affecting the natural pigment transformation.
Pest infestations, such as spider mites or mealybugs, can affect potted plants. These insects feed on plant sap, leading to stunted growth or discolored foliage. Inspecting the plant regularly and treating infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil helps manage these pests.