Light Requirements
The Golden Mustache plant is incredibly versatile when it comes to lighting - they can handle dark shade as well as the full might of the sun. Just keep a couple things in mind...
Ideal amount of Light
•1-2 Hours of direct or filtered sunlight a day
More specifically, the plant should receive enough sunlight that the plant begins producing a purple pigment at the base of the leaves (near the stem), and no further. To achieve this goal, you may need to vary the amount of sunlight that your plants receive depending on the season and weather.
Sunlight Extremes
•Min: Dark shade
•Max: 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day
I do not recommend starving your plants of sunlight, especially for long periods of time. Growth may slow or cease with your plants. Once the stem of the plant loses its purple colour, and turns green, its medical effects will also disappear.
As for the maximum amount of sunlight, I have not tried to give my plants more than 4 hours a sunlight a day.
Artifical Lighting Systems
Although I have no experience growing Golden Mustache plants with artificial grow lights, I believe that they will work. Make sure to give them enough light so that the leaves begin to turn purple, just like with regular sunlight.
This Golden Mustache plant, named Goldie, receives about 2 hours of direct sunlight a day, although the window receives much more. You can use blinds to control exactly how much sunlight your plants receive.
These Golden Mustache plants do not receive direct sunlight.
Water Requirements
The Golden Mustache plant is quite tolerant of water conditions. These amounts, of course, only apply to plants living in soil. Hydroponically grown plants will need entirely different conditions.
Ideal amount of Water
The ideal amount of water for your plants will change depending on the time of the year. Generally, do not let the soil stay dry. On the other extreme, make sure that your water collection tray stays empty. (For example: I have a tall, 2 meter plant that produces runners year-round. In the winter, it may need to be watered 1 time a week. In the summer, I water it 4-5 times a week. I always feel the soil to make sure that it is time to water).
