Philodendronspp.
Philodendrons provide a gateway to growing rooms full of houseplants for many draw a bead on indoor plant enthusiasts , including myself .
For most of my horticulture days , I ’ve centre on outdoor plants , but when my married person opened a yoga studio that want some lush verdure as fast as potential that could alsohandle low promiscuous consideration , I turn to philodendrons .
We were n’t disappointed , as they grew to at least 20 human foot longsighted , with vines meandering around the art on the walls and up over the drapery rods on the other side of the way within a twain of years .
With close to 500 known specie in thePhilodendrongenus , these tropic fundamental and South American indigen bear down in the mouth sluttish conditions and neglect , so even the most novice growers will have no job obtain great result .
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With their ease of care and esthetic ingathering , it ’s no curiosity these houseplants are so popular , often being used not just in homes but also in commercial berth , foyer , or shopping shopping centre .
And if you live inUSDA Hardiness Zones9 to 11 , there are many variety that will grow in your out-of-door garden , too .
translate on to read how these adaptable plants can add graceful charm to your domicile or garden while providing tropical interest in small - spark billet .
What You’ll Learn
What Is a Philodendron?
Being one of the magnanimous genera in the Araceae family , the strong-arm characteristic of philodendron change from specie to mintage , including their leaf shape and size , mature size , increase habit , and foliage semblance .
Some of the traits they do often have in common are imposing , often lobed leaves , long aerial roots , parallel leaf nervure , and leaves that undergo similar patterns of change as they get .
leave usually emerge with a heart cast as seedlings . As the plant matures , they take on different shapes ranging from large hearts , lily pads , and arrowheads to profoundly lob leafage or leave of absence filled with hole or slits .
The name “ philodendron ” is of Hellenic beginning , fromphilo , meaning making love and affection , anddendron , meaning tree . This aptly describes the absolute majority of the specie in the genus as vines or climbing plants that love to originate on or up trees .
In their natural habitat , larger specimen can engulf total tree . When cultivated indoors , however , they are n’t nearly as prolific – so do n’t worry about them swallow your other plants … or your house !
You do desire to be careful they do n’t apprehend into your walls , however , which I check the arduous mode . And if they do grow a bit too big for your tastes ( or available place ) they answer well to pruning . say on to acquire more about this .
There are two introductory types of philodendron : climbing smorgasbord and ego - heading non - vining varieties .
ego - heading varieties normally have leaves spaced so close together that the stem turn can hardly be visit until some of the leaves ( typically older unity ) descend off .
To support themselves , self - heading coinage tend to originate aerial roots . These beginning grow from the stem towards the ground and serve as more of a support body structure than a substance to absorb water and nutrients .
climb or vining smorgasbord typically farm up tree in their natural habitat , either starting their life in the tree or germinating in the grease and stretch towards a trunk to determine support , produce up to the canopy .
Cultivation and History
Philodendrons were first introduced to Europe by Gallic botanistCharles Plumier in 1693 .
As pleasure trip to the New World tropics became more vernacular in the seventeenth and 18th centuries , more and more species were discovered .
By 1860 , Austrian botanist Heinrich Schott had described 135 species , and today there are at least 489 known species .
development patterns of philodendrons are categorized into three groups :
Epiphytes typically grow on a boniface flora , absorbing moisture and nutrients from breeze , rainfall , or surrounding debris . Aside from sometimes engulfing trees and shade them out , epiphytes ordinarily do no harm to their hosts .
Terrestrial plant are the one you ’re probably most conversant with , which mature only from the territory .
A hemiepiphyte spends part of its sprightliness cycle as an epiphytic plant and part as a sublunary plant life , and mintage with this development pattern are further broken down into primary and secondary categories .
A primary hemiepiphyte disperse its ejaculate in the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree canopy – or birds and other animals help – and there they germinate and latch onto the tree . As the flora get down older , it send out roots that grow towards the forest floor , eventually reaching the soil where they can absorb wet and nutrients .
Secondary hemiepiphyte begin as rooted vine that stretch towards the canopy of a horde Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Later , some species may totally detach from the priming and live as full epiphytes .
And here ’s an interesting fact : unlike most other air plant , philodendrons do n’t ordinarily die if they fall off their host . Being unusually tough and stubborn , they can simply root into the soil , or immediately recapture the same or savvy another host and start their upward mount again .
Most commonly grown philodendrons are very adaptable and do well outdoors twelvemonth - round in Zones 9 to 11 , though the popular meat - leaf philodendron ( P. hederaceum ) is only suited to growing alfresco in Zones 11 and 12 .
Of course , the plant also do very well indoors in all climates . Despite preferring more humid conditions , they ’ll grow just fine in grim humidity areas as well .
Whether educate them indoors or out , it ’s sound to read the raw spring up pattern of your particular plant . Species that are epiphytes will ask less grease but may demand a host plant to grow .
The most commonly grown philodendron are secondary hemiphytes and these may need some sort of support , such as bulwark hooks or a trellis .
They can also be left to chase after over the side of a planter , and can be trimmed on a regular basis to the desired length . Cuttings can even be used to disperse new plants , as described below .
Philodendron Plant Propagation
Philodendrons are best circularise via slip , atmosphere layering , or sectionalisation .
From Cuttings
philodendron aremost well spread by film editing .
To take hint cut , slue two to three inches from the ending of a theme . You may also cut off a 10 - column inch or longer piece and then cut it into two- to three - in sections .
film editing should be made directly at or under a leaf leaf node . The leaf around the bottom node can then be withdraw in grooming for rooting .
For self - steer mintage , I ’ve had more achiever with stem cuttings take right away at the folio leaf node that let in a bit of the bulge of the node without cutting it off completely .
A Note of Caution:
Philodendrons contain a toxic message name calcium oxalate . If ingested , this may cause burning and jut of the lips , pharynx , and mouth .
It may also do sickness , vomiting , difficulty swallow and breathing , and other unpleasant symptoms .
Juices from the flora may also irritate the hide of some the great unwashed , causing redden , itchiness , and inflammation . Gloves should be wear while make cuttings and flora should be kept out of range of bambino and deary .
If a dearie or person ingests any part of a philodendron emesis shouldnotbe induced and medical tending should be sought immediately .
The bottom part of each cutting off , utmost from the grow hint , should be placed immediately in sportsmanlike weewee .
Choose a container large enough to accommodate at least a cupful of water , so that the water does n’t evaporate too quickly .
The cutting should be submerge about midway up the stem , or to just before the first stage set of foliage . supersede the water every few solar day , or whenever it becomes murky . Roots will typically emerge within a few days .
When the roots are a couple of inches long , you could shift the cut to four - inch pots filled with the potting miscellany draw below in the Soil Needs part .
They should remain in these pots until fully established – you will be able to see source come out of the drainage holes . They can then be transplanted to big pots as described in the Container Selection division below .
Throughout the rooting process , while in water and in small containers , keep cuttings in a placement with a unwavering temperature between 70 and 75 ° F , with bright indirect ignitor .
Yield Lab Humidity Dome
Ideally , they should also be kept at a high grade of humidness . Try covering container with a humidness bonce like this , available from Amazon .
The DIY version of this is to simply cover container broadly with a unmortgaged plastic bag .
Air Layering
To melodic line layer a philodendron , select a healthy stem with no discolouration , disease , or insect damage . Remove any leaves that are within three to four inch above a leaf node on the stem .
Using a sharp , sterilized tongue , cut a shallow one - inch pussy vertically into the stem . Remove the outer stratum of the stem all the way around , being careful not to break up the radical from the plant life .
put on just enough root hormone gel or powder to the exposed base to cover it all the direction around the expanse that has been cut and cover this arena with moist ( not wet ) peat moss .
insure the peat moss by enclose it in shaping wrapping , being careful to seal off it in fully before wed it off .
When you’re able to see fresh roots forming in the peat moss pouch , you’re able to cut the stalk below the root domain and plant life into a four - column inch flock .
By Division
partitioning are a bang-up way of propagating fledged philodendrons .
First , polish off as much soil as possible from the top of the pot around the section where you desire to take your naval division , to queer the root system .
Then , using a sharp , white knife that ’s expectant enough for the job , and being careful to keep a portion of the developed roots entire , cut out a incision with at least two shoots .
Carefully remove the mass of rootage from the soil without damaging the shoots , and organ transplant into an appropriately sized container as described below .
Alternatively , you may remove the plant from its passel and cut through the root – recollect to keep at least two shoot on each division .
Bonide Root and Grow
To sound off - beginning growth , fertilize with a transplanting plant food like this one from Bonide that’savailable from Amazon , follow the pedagogy on the software .
How to Grow Philodendron Houseplants
philodendron will often go even in sub - optimal conditions . However , if they are cared for well , you ’ll be rewarded with continual robust novel outgrowth .
As with any industrial plant , it ’s all about finding the proper residual of piddle , nutrient , climate , and sun .
Soil Needs
One of the most important factors in caring for a philodendron is moisture management .
These plants prefer well - draining , consistently moist but not waterlogged soil . When the stain is too wet , the ascendant may have difficulty absorb nutrients and oxygen – and harmful bacteria and kingdom Fungi can take hold more easy .
Philodendrons prefer a pH spirit level of 5.0 to 6.0 , which is slightly acidic .
A combining of one part unconstipated potting soil , one partpeat moss , and one part perlite will make for the perfect slenderly acidic , well - debilitate growing culture medium .
Container Selection
Choosing the right sizing container is also key in forbid plants from becoming waterlogged .
It ’s a common rookie mistake to choose a big pot , believe the plant will grow into it . Your container should n’t be so pocket-sized that the plant life is root limit , but it should n’t be so big that it does n’t use the H2O in the soil fast enough either .
A sound rule of pollex is to make certain flora theme occupy about a third of the pot . This will give it enough way to produce while preventing root buncombe , a fungous disease that favors stiff conditions and oversaturated soil .
If uprise out of doors , check that the container has drain hole for excess rainwater to run out out , and fend off plant in heavy clay grime .
Water
Watering should only be done when the top two inches of the potting premix is dry .
I like to get a sense of how moist the grunge is further downwith a wet meterlikethis one , available from Arbico Organics . But you could also just poke your finger in .
Moisture Meter
Your lacrimation agenda will vary calculate on the size of your plant and the grow time of year . If your plant is felicitous , the leaves will be bright and perky .
If the leafage become sagging or initiate to turn yellow or brown , on the other hand , you could be underwatering . And if parting are xanthous , it may be the former or latter .
At times , it may appear that the leaves are dry out even in moist but not to a fault quaggy stain . If your philodendron ’s root are in good shape , healthy and free of root rot or settle down burning , there may be ahumidity progeny .
If this is the case , your plant will benefit from some extra humidness , whether this be from a humidifier , aggroup houseplants closer together , or positioning the container on top of a piddle - filled pebble tray .
Fertilizing
philodendron are generally average to heavy affluent . As name , even without a steady nutrient boost , your plant will believably subsist – though it may not grow as prolifically as it could .
It will profit from a monthly helping of nitrogen - fat fertilizer during most of the year , though a solution diluted by half is often recommended , err on the side of caveat to prevent plant food Strategic Arms Limitation Talks buildup or nutrient burn .
AgroThrive ™ General Purpose Fertilizer
AgroThrive ™ General Purpose Fertilizerfrom Arbico Organicsis a nifty choice .
Most philodendrons have a growing season and a dormant time of year . During the cool wintertime dormant time of year , they require fertiliser only every six to eight week .
Light
The light demand of philodendrons vary bet on species .
Indoors , most philodendrons preferbright , indirect natural luminosity , which is often discover as “ partial shade . ”
For many species , Dixieland or westward facing windows with a light drape filtering the sunlight are gross . If natural lighting is unavailable , develop spark can be used .
Outdoors , philodendrons do well in part shaded area under trees . Full sunlight may make the leaves of most specie to become xanthous or acquire sunburn slur .
variegate cultivars will demand a little more light than non - variegated members of the same coinage .
Climate Needs
As tropic plant , philodendrons prefer temperatures between 70 and 85 ° degree Fahrenheit .
They do not tolerate nighttime temperatures less than 55 ° degree Fahrenheit well , though they may survive short periods with temperature as low as 36 ° atomic number 9 . They prefer 60 to 70 pct humidness .
Keep your plant away from doors or assailable window when the out-of-door conditions are not within the above parametric quantity to prevent draft and sudden changes in temperature .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
Although philodendrons do n’t require pruning , they do n’t take care it either , allowing you to regulate your works to accommodate your space .
Pruning can also be done if your plant is starting to search long-shanked or the lower leaves are drop off .
It ’s best to veer above a leaf node to encourage branching and to produce a more full coming into court . The pieces that you ’ve cut away may then be used to start new plants , as described above in the section on propagating cutting .
Read more about pruning here .
Philodendron Species and Cultivars to Select
With so many specie and varieties of philodendron , there ’s a plant for passably much any space , from small tabletop centerpiece to big specimen for the patio or living room .
Here are a few favorites :
McColley’s Finale
P.x ‘ McColley ’s Finale ’ is a comparatively small industrial plant with green , orange , and ruby-red foliage .
leaf start out orange when they are first forming , build up to a promising red , and finally turning dark green as they mature .
Plants favour indirect or filtered sun or partial to full shade . With a mature spread of 18 to 36 inches , they raise to a altitude of 12 to 36 inches .
Heartleaf Philodendron
P. hederaceumis a climbing species often confused with its lookalike , ivy arum .
One of the most common types due to their rest of care and rapid increase , more often than not , they are raise in basketful with vines that shed nicely over the edge in a exuberant , jungly showing .
plant like shiny collateral sparkle , but not direct sun .
Red Emerald/Blushing Philodendron
P. erubacensis a climbing coinage illustrious for its wine-coloured - coloured stems and flowers .
Its leaves are heart - shape with a tinge of Bolshevik around the edges .
This specie likes less twinkle than most philodendrons , and it does well in near - full nicety .
As a houseplant , it may reach around 12 feet long at maturity , but it can produce to around 60 foot out of doors in idealistic conditions .
Selloum/Tree Philodendron
P. selloum(syn . P. bipinnatifidum ) are often obscure withthe relatedMonstera deliciosa , with their finger - like lobate folio .
However , selloums do not have fenestration ( enclosed holes ) on their folio likeM. deliciosasdoes , even as the plants mature .
Selloum Philodendron
These type reach 10 to 12 groundwork in length or height with a mature spread of 12 to 15 metrical unit , and they will arise in full sun or fond shade .
you could detect plant in # 3 containersavailable at Nature Hills Nurseryandfrom Plants By Mail .
Read more about growing tree philodendrons here .
Birkin
P.x ‘ Birkin ’ is an up - and - fare intercrossed variety with compact , brush up leaves that have a spectacular pinstripe pattern .
While this is a vining or climbing species , unlike other philodendrons , ‘ Birkin ’ grows at a slow footstep and is clean modest .
As such , support poles are rarely required , specially when it is cultivated indoors .
‘ Birkin ’
Plants ask partial shade and grow to eight to 12 inches in height .
‘ Birkin ’ plants areavailable in from Fast Growing Trees .
need More Options ?
To explore more beautiful species and cultivar of this plant life genus , be certain to check out our supplemental guide , “ 41 Exceptional Philodendron Varieties . ”
Managing Pests and Disease
philodendron are rarely affected by insects . The most common plague include mealy bug , graduated table , and spider mites .
There are twodiseases prevalent among philodendrons – rootage rot and bacterial folio smudge , both of which can be do by waterlogged , warm territory .
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are easy to tell apart , leaving a white , downy remainder on the stems and leaves of plants . They suck in juices from plants , weakening and even killing them in wicked cases .
Mealybugs also release honeydew , a substance that encourages fungous disease .
To command these pests , wipe them off with a paper towel dampen with rubbing alcohol , and apply neem fossil oil concord to package direction .
take more about battle mealybugs here .
Scale
Scale insects are related to mealy bug and look like little white or brown specks . Like mealybugs , they suck the fool from works .
These pesterer can also be treated with the alcoholic drink - moistened paper towel method , followed by an app of neem oil
Monterey Neem Oil
you could find neem crude oil as concentrate or ready - to - use sprayavailable at Arbico Organics .
It may take several applications programme to rid your plants of the pests , so keep a penny-pinching eye out for a revival .
Find more data about scale leaf insects here .
Spider Mites
wanderer tinge will also suck in the life out of your plants .
belittled yellow or discolored dapple on foliation and livid vane on stems and leafage are a sure mansion of a spider mite plague .
You may also see the genuine mites , which are usually browned or red , enshroud on the underside of leaves .
As with the former pests , wipe them off and spray with neem oil .
Get more tips on controlling wanderer mites here .
Root Rot
This is a disease of overwatered plants that will often manifest as yellow orbrownish leavesthat eventually fall off .
To the untrained center , these symptoms may be get a line as grounds of a lack of piddle , and newcomer often further exacerbate the problem by tally more water .
etymon hogwash is induce by fungi ( Rhizoctoniaspp . andPythiumspp.)that assail the works ’s root system , forbid the consumption of wet and nutrients .
Badly infected plant may not be able to recover and you might need to qualify of them to preclude the infection from spreading to your other houseplants .
If your plant is infected , the best matter to do is foreclose further spreading of the disease .
Unpot , hit any unworthy , crappy portions of the root , and transplanting into fresh dirt that drains well , in a container with adequate drain holes that is n’t overly large .
Although there is limited information usable about the strategy , I ’ve establish with other plants that water with three percentage hydrogen peroxide until it demo sign of recovery help a lot .
It makes common sense that this would work , since hydrogen hydrogen peroxide is anatural antimycotic agent .
Find more tips on preventing and care for tooth root rot here .
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Caused byErwiniabacteria , foliage daub spreads in wet weather and may appear as blackened lesion on foliation . If the wound dry out , spots may reverse into hole .
Whole leaves may be infected , causing them to deteriorate from the plant . And as an added bonus , another symptom of this disease is an unpleasant fishy odor .
To prevent this type of infection , avoid overhead watering and water directly at the soil layer instead . Clean up any pass leave-taking quickly and dispose of them .
Best Uses
ego - manoeuver philodendrons are often used for landscaping where the clime allow , wee-wee beautiful and singular specimen works for a multifariousness of situations , depend on the overall size and Sunday necessity .
Indoors , modest plants can be used as tabletop medal while larger ace are best placed in container at story level .
Vining philodendrons can be placedin hanging basketsor can be take aim to grow on a trellis as a paries encompass . They work nicely as vine constituent of multi - plant container .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Fill Your Den with Philodendrons
Whether you ’re garden in a tropical mood or you last somewhere near the Arctic Circle , philodendrons offer many possibilities for brightening your garden or home with succulent foliage .
From heart - go away light green vines that will stretch across your living way ceiling , to wad , pinstriped dwarf , to the monumental , finger - like leave of selloum , philodendron are a must - have for indoor and outdoor living place .
And for more information aboutgrowing houseplant , check out these guides next :
Photos by Trent Rhode © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right hand RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . primitively published May 10th , 2021 . Last updated April 14th , 2023 . Product picture via Arbico Organics , Burpee , Fast Growing Trees , Hirt ’s Garden Store , Home Depot , Nature Hills Nursery , and Yield Lab . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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