Light. Grows best in shade or bright indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves.
Water. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Standing water causes root rot, and leaves drop if the soil dries out.
Soil and feeding. In a pot, use a well-draining potting soil with peat and perlite. Yellow leaves can mean the plant needs nutrients or more humidity.
Size. Usually kept to about 4 ft in a pot. It grows fast; houseplants can reach 6–8 ft, and trees planted outdoors can reach 30 ft.
Problems to watch. Watch for aphids, mealybugs, scale and fungus gnats; treat with Insecticidal Soap following the label. Anthracnose and powdery mildew can spot the leaves.
Good to know. Protect it from strong winds and from temperatures below 45°F. The seeds are the poisonous part, and chewing the plant can upset a cat's stomach.
