There is a reason why philodendron has remained a recurring choice for indoor gardening. Available in hundreds of varieties, this no-fuss, highly adaptable foliage plant is easy to care for and helps keep your home green and cool throughout the year. A large genus in the Araceae family, with nearly 500 species of evergreen shrubs, trees and climbers, philodendrons flaunt their glossy, leathery leaves and arum-like inflorescences containing little flowers. Little wonder then that nearly all beginners find this house plant incredibly easy to grow. This guide will help rookie gardeners to understand their plants better.
Philodendron: Key facts
| Common name | Philodendron* |
| Botanical name | Philodendron spp |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Family | Araceae |
| Soil type | Well-drained |
| Soil ph | Acidic |
| Native | Tropical Americas, West Indies |
| Toxicity | Yes, the plant is toxic for pets and people |
*The name of this architecturally-impressive plant comes from the Greek words, philo (meaning love and affection) and dendron (meaning tree).
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Types of indoor philodendron varieties
- Vine varieties
- Non-climbing varieties
How to propagate philodendron?
- Seed
- Cuttings
- Layering
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Propagating: Philodendrons potting and repotting
The most widely used way to propagate this plant is with stem cuttings. For this, cut off a stem from an existing plant and pot them in moist soil. Once the cutting is starts to grow, transfer it in a larger pot. They can stay in this pot for a year.
Philodendrons can also be propagated in water as well. In this method, take the cutting and place it in a jar of clean water. Change the water every 2-3 days. Once the root grows, plant the cutting in soil. For faster propagation, you may use a rooting hormone.
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How to care for a philodendron?
Sunlight
The plant loves bright, indirect sunlight. A window sill is the ideal place to keep the philodendron. When several leaves of your plant start to grow pale, it is a clear sign that your philodendron is getting too much sunlight. Long and leggy stems with sparse leaves indicate sunlight deficiency.
Water
Like most house plants, philodendron too requires a moderate amount of watering. As a rule of thumb, allow the top 2.5 inches of the spoil to dry out before watering the plant. In case of excessive watering or water deficiency, the pinnately-divided leaves would go droopy. You will have to understand the cause of the droopy leaves by measuring the soil dryness. You may reduce the watering frequency during the winter. Soggy soil will result in rotting of the roots.
Fertiliser
In spring and summer, a monthly dose of a balanced liquid foliage houseplant fertiliser that contains macro-nutrients like calcium and magnesium would do your philodendron good. The frequency of this feed should be set at six months during fall and winter. In case of fertiliser deficiency, the leaves and the plant would not grow to their normal size.
Humidity
These are humidity-loving plants. If you live in a dry area, you may have to mist the plant using water spray. Another way would be to place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Mist the plant twice daily in the summer.
Pruning
To achieve its full potential, the Philodendron plant must be pruned in the spring or early summer when it is actively growing. Also, remove all dying and decaying leaves while trimming leggy stems to encourage fresh growth. You can also give your plant the shape you like through pruning.
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Common problems with Philodendron
Diseases caused by Fungi
Root rot is a common issue with this plant. In this situation, the leaves turn yellow, brown and drop. Symptoms often start on the lower leaves and progress up the plant.
Bacterial leaf spot
In this condition, small water-soaked marks develop on the leaves of the pnat. These grow from tans to blackened lesions. making the leaves die and drops. Infection can spread very quickly and affected plants often develop an unpleasant, fishy odor.
Slow growth
If the plant refuses to grow, check your light levels. If your Philodendron is not directly on a windowsill, use a light meter to make sure it’s getting at least around 400 foot-candles.
Mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, etc
All sorts of pests attack this plant and cause real damage.
FAQs
What is the difference between pothos and philodendron?
Even though they might look identical due to the similarity in leaves, they are not the same. The stems of Pothos are grooved while those of Philodendrons are not.
What is the ideal temperature to grow philodendrons?
Philodendrons should not be exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
