Philodendron spp.
Philodendrons present a gateway to rising rooms stuffed with houseplants for a lot of aspiring indoor plant fanatics, together with myself.
For many of my gardening days, I’ve targeted on outside crops, however when my associate opened a yoga studio that wanted some lush greenery as quick as doable that would additionally deal with low gentle circumstances, I turned to philodendrons.
We weren’t disenchanted, as they grew to at the very least 20 ft lengthy, with vines meandering across the artwork on the partitions and up over the curtain rods on the opposite aspect of the room inside a few years.
With near 500 identified species within the Philodendron genus, these tropical Central and South American natives tolerate low gentle circumstances and neglect, so even essentially the most novice growers can have no downside getting nice outcomes.
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With their ease of care and aesthetic enchantment, it’s no marvel these houseplants are so widespread, typically getting used not simply in properties but additionally in business places of work, lobbies, or procuring malls.
And in case you dwell in USDA Hardiness Zones September 11, there are a lot of varieties that can develop in your outside backyard, too.
Learn on to learn the way these adaptable crops can add elegant attraction to your own home or backyard whereas offering tropical curiosity in low-light conditions.
What Is a Philodendron?
Being one of many largest genera within the Araceae household, the bodily traits of philodendrons range from species to species, together with their leaf form and dimension, mature dimension, development behavior, and foliage coloration.
Among the traits they do typically have in widespread are imposing, typically lobed leaves, lengthy aerial roots, parallel leaf veins, and leaves that endure comparable patterns of change as they develop.
Leaves normally emerge with a coronary heart form as seedlings. Because the plant matures, they tackle completely different shapes starting from massive hearts, lily pads, and arrowheads to deeply lobed foliage or leaves full of holes or slits.
The title “philodendron” is of Greek origin, from philo, which means love and affection, and dendron, which means tree. This aptly describes the vast majority of the species within the genus as vines or climbing crops that like to develop on or up timber.
Of their pure habitat, bigger specimens can engulf whole timber. When cultivated indoors, nonetheless, they aren’t almost as prolific – so don’t fear about them swallowing your different crops… or your own home!
You do wish to watch out they don’t dig into your partitions, nonetheless, which I realized the laborious method. And in the event that they do develop a bit too large in your tastes (or obtainable house) they reply nicely to pruning. Learn on to study extra about this.
There are two fundamental varieties of philodendron: climbing varieties and self-heading non-vining varieties.
Self-heading varieties normally have leaves spaced so shut collectively that the stem can hardly be seen till among the leaves (sometimes older ones) fall off.
To assist themselves, self-heading species are likely to develop aerial roots. These roots develop from the stem in the direction of the bottom and function extra of a assist construction than a method to soak up water and vitamins.
Climbing or vining varieties sometimes develop up timber of their pure habitat, both beginning their life within the tree or germinating within the soil and stretching in the direction of a trunk to search out assist, rising as much as the cover.
Cultivation and Historical past
Philodendrons had been first launched to Europe by French botanist Charles Plumier in 1693.
As expeditions to the New World tropics turned extra widespread within the seventeenth and 18th centuries, increasingly more species had been found. By 1860, Austrian botanist Heinrich Schott had described 135 species, and at present there are at the very least 489 identified species.
Development patterns of philodendrons are categorized into three teams:
- Epiphytic – rising on different crops
- Terrestrial – rising from the soil
- Hemiepiphytic – rising each on different crops and from the soil
Epiphytes sometimes develop on a number plant, absorbing moisture and vitamins from air, rain, or surrounding particles. Other than typically engulfing timber and shading them out, epiphytes normally do no hurt to their hosts.
Terrestrial crops are those you’re most likely most acquainted with, which develop solely from the soil.
A hemiepiphyte spends a part of its lifecycle as an epiphyte and half as a terrestrial plant, and species with this development sample are additional damaged down into major and secondary classes.
A major hemiepiphyte disperses its seeds within the tree cover – or birds and different animals assist – and there they germinate and latch onto the tree. Because the plant will get older, it sends out roots that develop in the direction of the forest ground, finally reaching the soil the place they will soak up moisture and vitamins.
Secondary hemiepiphytes start as rooted vines that stretch in the direction of the cover of a number tree. Later, some species might completely detach from the bottom and dwell as full epiphytes.
And right here’s an fascinating reality: in contrast to most different epiphytes, philodendrons don’t normally die in the event that they fall off their host. Being unusually powerful and cussed, they will merely root into the soil, or instantly recapture the identical or grasp one other host and begin their upward climb once more.
Mostly grown philodendrons are very adaptable and do nicely open air year-round in Zones September 11, although the favored heart-leaf philodendron (P. hederaceum) is simply suited to rising outdoors in Zones 11 and 12.
In fact, the crops additionally do very nicely indoors in all climates. Regardless of preferring extra humid circumstances, they’ll develop simply tremendous in decrease humidity areas as nicely.
Whether or not cultivating them indoors or out, it’s good to grasp the pure rising sample of your specific plant. Species which are epiphytes would require much less soil however might require a number plant to develop.
Probably the most generally grown philodendrons are secondary hemiphytes and these might require some form of assist, resembling wall hooks or a trellis.
They may also be left to path over the aspect of a planter, and could be trimmed repeatedly to the specified size. Cuttings may even be used to propagate new crops, as described under.
Propagation
Philodendrons are greatest propagated by way of cuttings, air layering, or divisions.
From Cuttings
Philodendrons are most simply propagated by cuttings.
To take tip cuttings, lower two to 3 inches from the top of a stem. You might also lower off a 10-inch or longer piece after which lower it into two- to three-inch sections.
Cuttings ought to be made immediately at or below a leaf node. The leaves across the backside node can then be eliminated in preparation for rooting.
For self-heading species, I’ve had extra success with stem cuttings taken immediately on the leaf node that embody a little bit of the bulge of the node with out reducing it off fully.
A Notice of Warning:
Philodendrons include a poisonous substance known as calcium oxalate. If ingested, this may occasionally trigger burning and swelling of the lips, throat, and mouth.
It could additionally trigger nausea, vomiting, problem swallowing and respiratory, and different disagreeable signs.
Juices from the plant may irritate the pores and skin of some folks, inflicting reddening, itchiness, and irritation. Gloves ought to be worn whereas making cuttings and crops ought to be saved out of attain of toddlers and pets.
If a pet or individual ingests any a part of a philodendron vomiting ought to not be induced and medical consideration ought to be sought instantly.
The underside a part of every reducing, furthest from the rising tip, ought to be positioned instantly in clear water.
Select a container massive sufficient to carry at the very least a cup of water, in order that the water doesn’t evaporate too shortly.
The reducing ought to be submerged about midway up the stem, or to simply earlier than the primary set of leaves. Exchange the water each few days, or at any time when it turns into murky. Roots will sometimes emerge inside a couple of days.
When the roots are a few inches lengthy, you’ll be able to switch the cuttings to four-inch pots full of the potting combination described under within the Soil Wants part.
They need to stay in these pots till absolutely established – it is possible for you to to see roots popping out of the drainage holes. They will then be transplanted to bigger pots as described within the Container Choice part under.
All through the rooting course of, whereas in water and in small containers, hold cuttings in a location with a gradual temperature between 70 and 75°F, with vibrant oblique gentle.
Yield Lab Humidity Dome
Ideally, they need to even be saved at a excessive degree of humidity. Strive protecting containers with a humidity dome like this, obtainable from Amazon.
The DIY model of that is to easily cowl containers loosely with a transparent plastic bag.
Air Layering
To air layer a philodendron, choose a wholesome stem with no discoloration, illness, or insect harm. Take away any leaves which are inside three to 4 inches above a leaf node on the stem.
Utilizing a pointy, sterilized knife, lower a shallow one-inch slit vertically into the stem. Take away the outer layer of the stem all the best way round, being cautious to not sever the stem from the plant.
Apply simply sufficient rooting hormone gel or powder to the uncovered stem to cowl all of it the best way across the space that has been lower and canopy this space with moist (not moist) peat moss.
Safe the peat moss by wrapping it in plastic wrap, being cautious to seal it in absolutely earlier than tying it off.
When you’ll be able to see new roots forming within the peat moss pocket, you’ll be able to lower the stem under the rooting space and plant right into a four-inch pot.
By Division
Divisions are a good way of propagating mature philodendrons.
First, take away as a lot soil as doable from the highest of the pot across the part the place you wish to take your division, to show the foundation system.
Then, utilizing a pointy, clear knife that’s large enough for the job, and being cautious to maintain a portion of the developed roots intact, lower out a piece with at the very least two shoots.
Rigorously take away the mass of roots from the soil with out damaging the shoots, and transplant into an appropriately sized container as described under.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take away the plant from its pot and lower by the roots – keep in mind to maintain at the very least two shoots on every part.
Bonide Root and Develop
To kick-start development, fertilize with a transplant fertilizer like this one from Bonide that’s obtainable from Amazon, following the directions on the bundle.
Methods to Develop
Philodendrons will typically survive even in sub-optimal circumstances. Nevertheless, if they’re cared for nicely, you’ll be rewarded with continuous sturdy new development.
As with all plant, it’s all about discovering the right stability of water, vitamins, local weather, and daylight.
Soil Wants
Some of the essential components in caring for a philodendron is moisture administration.
These crops choose well-draining, persistently moist however not waterlogged soil. When the soil is simply too moist, the roots might have problem absorbing vitamins and oxygen – and dangerous micro organism and fungi can take maintain extra simply.
Philodendrons choose a pH degree of 5.0-6.0, which is barely acidic.
A mix of 1 half common potting soil, one half peat moss, and one half perlite will make for the right barely acidic, well-draining rising medium.
Container Choice
Selecting the best dimension container can be key in stopping crops from turning into waterlogged.
It’s a typical rookie mistake to decide on a big pot, considering the plant will develop into it. Your container shouldn’t be so small that the plant is root sure, nevertheless it shouldn’t be so large that it doesn’t use the water within the soil quick sufficient both.
rule of thumb is to ensure plant roots occupy a few third of the pot. This may give it sufficient room to develop whereas stopping root rot, a fungal illness that favors moist circumstances and oversaturated soil.
If rising open air, ensure the container has drainage holes for extra rainwater to empty out, and keep away from planting in heavy clay soils.
Water
Watering ought to solely be executed when the highest two inches of the potting combine is dry.
I prefer to get a way of how moist the soil is additional down with a moisture meter like this one, obtainable from Arbico Organics. However it’s also possible to simply poke your finger in.
Moisture Meter
Your watering schedule will range relying on the dimensions of your plant and the rising season. In case your plant is comfortable, the leaves shall be vibrant and perky.
If the leaves develop into droopy or begin to flip yellow or brown, alternatively, you might be underwatering. And if leaves are yellow, it could be the previous or latter.
At occasions, it could seem that the leaves are drying out even in moist however not overly soggy soil. In case your philodendron’s roots are in fine condition, wholesome and freed from root rot or root burn, there could also be a humidity challenge.
If so, your plant will profit from some further humidity, whether or not this be from a humidifier, grouping houseplants nearer collectively, or positioning the container on prime of a water-filled pebble tray.
Fertilizing
Philodendrons are typically medium to heavy feeders. As talked about, even with no common nutrient increase, your plant will most likely survive – although it could not develop as prolifically because it might.
It’s going to profit from a month-to-month serving to of nitrogen-rich fertilizer throughout many of the 12 months, although an answer diluted by half is commonly really useful, erring on the aspect of warning to stop fertilizer salt buildup or nutrient burn.
AgroThrive™ Normal Objective Fertilizer
AgroThrive™ Normal Objective Fertilizer from Arbico Organics is a superb choice.
Most philodendrons have a rising season and a dormant season. Through the cooler winter dormant season, they require fertilizer solely each six to eight weeks.
Mild
The sunshine necessities of philodendrons range relying on species.
Indoors, most philodendrons choose vibrant, oblique pure gentle, which is commonly described as “partial shade.”
For a lot of species, south or west going through home windows with a lightweight curtain filtering the daylight are good. If pure gentle is unavailable, develop lights can be utilized.
Open air, philodendrons do nicely in partially shaded areas below timber. Full daylight might trigger the leaves of most species to develop into yellowish or develop sunburn spots.
Variegated cultivars will want slightly extra gentle than non-variegated members of the identical species.
Local weather Wants
As tropical crops, philodendrons choose temperatures between 70 and 85°F.
They don’t tolerate nighttime temperatures lower than 55°F nicely, although they could survive quick durations with temperatures as little as 36°F. They like 60-70 % humidity.
Preserve your plant away from doorways or open home windows when the outside circumstances will not be inside the above parameters to stop drafts and sudden modifications in temperature.
Rising Suggestions
- Solely water as wanted, when the highest two inches of soil develop into dry
- Present vibrant, oblique solar
- Use a excessive nitrogen fertilizer diluted by 50 %
- Alter water and fertilizer in keeping with rising season
- Preserve 70-85°F in the course of the day and hold nicely out of chilly drafts
Pruning and Upkeep
Though philodendrons don’t require pruning, they don’t thoughts it both, permitting you to form your plant to fit your house.
Pruning may also be executed in case your plant is beginning to look leggy or the decrease leaves are dropping off.
It’s greatest to chop above a leaf node to encourage branching and to create a extra full look. The items that you simply’ve lower away might then be used to begin new crops, as described above within the part on propagating cuttings.
Learn extra about pruning right here.
Species and Cultivars to Choose
With so many species and forms of philodendron, there’s a plant for just about any house, from small tabletop centerpieces to massive specimens for the patio or front room.
Listed below are a couple of favorites:
McColley’s Finale
P. x ‘McColley’s Finale’ is a comparatively small plant with inexperienced, orange, and pink foliage.
Leaves begin out orange when they’re first forming, progressing to a vibrant pink, and eventually turning darkish inexperienced as they mature.
‘McColley’s Finale’
Crops choose oblique or filtered solar or a fan of full shade. With a mature unfold of 18 to 36 inches, they develop to a top of 12 to 36 inches.
‘McColley’s Finale’ is obtainable from Burpee in six-inch pots.
Heartleaf Philodendron
P. hederaceum is a climbing species typically confused with its lookalike, pothos.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Some of the widespread varieties attributable to their ease of care and fast development, as a rule, they’re grown in baskets with vines that spill properly over the sting in a lush, jungly show.
Crops like vibrant oblique gentle, however not direct solar.
Heartleaf philodendrons can be found in four-inch pots from Hirt’s Backyard Retailer by way of Amazon.
Purple Emerald/Blushing Philodendron
P. erubacens is a climbing species well-known for its wine-colored stems and flowers.
Its leaves are heart-shaped with a tinge of pink across the edges.
This species likes much less gentle than most philodendrons, and it does nicely in near-full shade.
As a houseplant, it could attain round 12 ft lengthy at maturity, however it may well develop to round 60 ft open air in superb circumstances.
Selloum/Tree Philodendron
P. selloum (syn. P. bipinnatifidum) are sometimes confused with the associated Monstera deliciosas, with their finger-like lobed leaves.
Nevertheless, selloums shouldn’t have fenestrations (enclosed holes) on their leaves like M. deliciosas does, even because the crops mature.
Selloum Philodendron
These varieties attain 10 to 12 ft in size or top with a mature unfold of 12 to fifteen ft, and they’ll develop in full solar or partial shade.
You will discover crops in #3 containers obtainable at Nature Hills Nursery.
Learn extra about rising tree philodendrons right here.
Birkin
P. x ‘Birkin’ is an up-and-coming hybrid selection with compact, rounded leaves which have a dramatic pinstripe sample.
Whereas it is a vining or climbing species, in contrast to different philodendrons, ‘Birkin’ grows at a gradual tempo and is pretty small.
As such, assist poles are hardly ever required, particularly when it’s cultivated indoors.
‘Birkin’
Crops require partial shade and develop to eight to 12 inches in top.
‘Birkin’ crops are obtainable in six-inch pots from Dwelling Depot.
Managing Pests and Illness
Philodendrons are hardly ever affected by bugs. The most typical infestations embody mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.
There are two illnesses prevalent amongst philodendrons – root rot and bacterial leaf spot, each of which could be attributable to waterlogged, heat soil.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are simple to identify, leaving a white, fluffy residue on the stems and leaves of crops. They suck juices from crops, weakening and even killing them in extreme instances.
Mealybugs additionally secrete honeydew, a substance that encourages fungal illness.
To regulate these pests, wipe them off with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol, and apply neem oil in keeping with bundle instructions.
Learn extra about combating mealybugs right here.
Scale
Scale bugs are associated to mealybugs and appear to be little white or brown specks. Like mealybugs, they suck the sap from crops.
These pests may also be handled with the alcohol-moistened paper towel methodology, adopted by an utility of neem oil
Monterey Neem Oil
You will discover neem oil as focus or ready-to-use spray obtainable at Arbico Organics.
It could take a number of purposes to rid your crops of the pests, so hold a detailed eye out for a resurgence.
Discover extra details about scale bugs right here.
Spider Mites
Spider mites will even suck the life out of your crops.
Small yellow or discolored spots on foliage and white webs on stems and leaves are a positive signal of a spider mite infestation.
You might also see the precise mites, that are normally brown or pink, hiding on the underside of leaves.
As with the earlier pests, wipe them off and spray with neem oil.
Get extra tips about controlling spider mites right here.
Root Rot
It is a illness of overwatered crops that can typically manifest as yellow or brownish leaves that finally fall off.
To the untrained eye, these signs could also be seen as proof of an absence of water, and newbies typically additional exacerbate the issue by including extra water.
Root rot is attributable to fungi (Rhizoctonia spp. and Pythium spp.) that assault the plant’s root system, stopping the uptake of moisture and vitamins.
Badly contaminated crops might not be capable to get better and also you may have to eliminate them to stop the an infection from spreading to your different houseplants.
In case your plant is contaminated, the perfect factor to do is forestall additional unfold of the illness.
Unpot, take away any slimy, rotten parts of the roots, and transplant into recent soil that drains nicely, in a container with sufficient drainage holes that isn’t overly massive.
Though there may be restricted data obtainable in regards to the technique, I’ve discovered with different crops that watering with three % hydrogen peroxide till it reveals indicators of restoration helps lots.
It is sensible that this is able to work, since hydrogen peroxide is a pure fungicide.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Attributable to Erwinia micro organism, leaf spot spreads in moist circumstances and should seem as blackened lesions on foliage. If the lesions dry out, spots might flip into holes.
Complete leaves could also be contaminated, inflicting them to drop from the plant. And as an added bonus, one other symptom of this illness is an disagreeable fishy odor.
To forestall the sort of an infection, keep away from overhead watering and water immediately on the soil degree as an alternative. Clear up any fallen leaves promptly and eliminate them.
Greatest Makes use of
Self-heading philodendrons are sometimes used for landscaping the place the local weather permits, making lovely and distinctive specimen crops for a wide range of conditions, relying on the general dimension and solar necessities.
Indoors, smaller crops can be utilized as tabletop decorations whereas bigger ones are greatest positioned in containers at ground degree.
Vining philodendrons could be positioned in hanging baskets or could be educated to develop on a trellis as a wall protecting. They work properly as vine elements of multi-plant containers.
Fast Reference Rising Information
| Plant Sort: | Vining or self-heading evergreen perennial | Foliage Shade: | Burgundy, inexperienced, orange, pink, variegated |
| Native to: | South and Central America | Soil Sort: | Wealthy, sandy loam, unfastened |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 9-12 (open air) | Soil pH: | 5.0-6.0 |
| Publicity: | Brilliant, oblique gentle, shade, relying on species | Soil Drainage: | Effectively-draining |
| Top: | 1-20 ft, relying on species | Makes use of: | Decorative houseplant, specimen, wall protecting, borders |
| Unfold: | 1-6 ft, relying on species | Order: | Alismatales |
| Water Wants: | Average | Household: | Araceae |
| Upkeep: | Low to reasonable | Genus: | Philodendron |
| Tolerance: | Low gentle, low soil fertility | Species: | brasil, erubescens, hastatum, hederaceum, micans, selloum |
| Frequent Pests: | Mealybugs, scale, spider mites | Frequent Illnesses: | Root rot, bacterial leaf spot |
Fill Your Den with Philodendrons
Whether or not you’re gardening in a tropical local weather otherwise you dwell someplace close to the Arctic Circle, philodendrons supply many prospects for brightening your backyard or dwelling with lush foliage.
From heart-leaved gentle inexperienced vines that can stretch throughout your front room ceiling, to compact, pinstriped dwarves, to the huge, finger-like leaves of selloum, philodendrons are vital for indoor and outside dwelling areas.
Are you rising philodendrons? Tell us within the feedback part under and be happy to share an image!
And for extra details about rising houseplants, try these guides subsequent: