Silver Quill Plant Care, Watering & Light

Soil and Water

• Silver quill plants thrive in a well-draining planting medium. They grow best in a soil that has some sand in it, which will add grittiness and help with drainage. Loam and peat moss are also good additions to the planting medium. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Light and Fertilizer

• In the wild, silver quill plants are often found growing on the forest floor, in the dappled shade provided by the trees above. Indoors, silver quill plants need a bit more light -- at least some bright but indirect sunlight each day. Fertilize each month during the growing season with a balanced (20-20-20), water-soluble fertilizer, but use only half the recommended dose.

Problems

• This plant is very hardy, but the bulb can rot if the soil is very waterlogged or if it is planted too deeply in the soil. For that reason, always plant the bulb so that half of the bulb is above the surface of the soil. Plants kept indoors may suffer from common houseplant pests such as fungal gnats, which thrive in warm, moist soil. Move the plant outside and spray it with an insecticide if you encounter insect pest problems.

Other Considerations

• Although small, this plant is a fast-grower, according to the University of Oklahoma. For that reason, plants grown in containers should be repotted frequently. The plant may look crowded or you may notice roots protruding from the drainage holes -- both symptoms of being pot-bound.