The Florida Ghost Philodendron just isn’t your typical houseplant. These pale, nearly translucent new leaves that slowly flip inexperienced are a sight to behold.
The variegated varieties occur to be my favourite.
These uncommon vegetation had been developed by Florida botanist Robert McColley within the Fifties (that’s a very long time in the past). As such, you’d anticipate them to be in each family, however you’d be mistaken. Florida ghost philodendrons are tough to return by.
They’ve since turn into favorites amongst plant collectors and plant fanatics worldwide.
The excellent news is that they’re straightforward to propagate, plant, and look after indoors. And in at the moment’s, we’ll focus on all about it.
Let’s begin with some background data.
About Florida Ghost Philodendron
The Florida Ghost (Philodendron pedatum
‘Florida Ghost’) is a hybrid that’s believed to have originated from crossing Philodendron squamiferum and Philodendron pedatum.
What makes it so particular is its ghostly white new leaves, which step by step fade to lime inexperienced and finally flip deep inexperienced as they mature.
It’s a climber, that means it likes to seize onto a moss pole or trellis because it grows. In its pure habitat or in a wonderfully humid indoor nook, it could possibly develop fairly massive, with dramatic, uniquely lobed leaves that look nearly sculptural.
Though it could seem unique and high-maintenance, the Florida Ghost is surprisingly forgiving when grown in containers.
You simply have to get a number of key issues proper.
Simple Suggestions for Rising Florida Ghost in Containers
Supply: Reddit
Earlier than we dive into the nitty-gritty, right here’s the fast model: this plant loves brilliant, oblique mild, ethereal soil, and constant humidity. Maintain it heat, water when the highest inch of soil feels dry, and feed it often.
That’s the gist. However let’s unpack {that a} bit.
Necessities
Potting Combine
The Florida Ghost loves a chunky, well-draining combine. Consider what an aroid (which it’s) would get pleasure from within the wild: plenty of natural matter and air pockets.
An excellent potting combine recipe is:
- 1 half orchid bark
- 1 half perlite
- 1 half peat moss or coco coir
- A handful of charcoal (optionally available, however helps with aeration and odor management)
You may as well add some worm castings or compost for slow-release vitamins. The objective is to maintain the roots moist however by no means soggy. This plant hates moist ft.
Containers
Use a pot with drainage holes, non-negotiable. Terracotta pots work nicely as a result of they let extra moisture evaporate, however plastic or ceramic is okay so long as drainage is nice.
As a result of it’s a climbing plant, give it assist early. A moss pole or bamboo stake will assist it develop upright and develop these signature mature leaves.
Location (Gentle, Temperature, Humidity)
Florida Ghosts love brilliant, oblique mild. Too little mild, and the leaves flip darkish inexperienced too rapidly. An excessive amount of, and also you’ll get crispy edges. A spot close to an east or north-facing window is ideal.
Temperature-wise, hold it between 65°F and 85°F (18°C–29°C). They hate chilly drafts, so hold them away from home windows in winter or air conditioners in summer season.
Humidity is one other massive one. These vegetation thrive in 60%+ humidity. If your private home is dry, a humidifier or pebble tray may also help. Even grouping vegetation can elevate humidity a bit.
Propagation and Planting
Propagating a Florida Ghost isn’t difficult. Stem cuttings are your finest guess. Decide a wholesome vine with at the least one node and an aerial root. You should purchase a mom plant from Pandy’s Backyard Heart (featured picture) – not paid to advocate them.
- Minimize slightly below the node.
- Let the chopping callous for a number of hours.
- Place it in water or straight into moist potting combine.
- Maintain it heat and humid, and roots ought to type in a number of weeks.
As soon as the roots are about two inches lengthy, switch the chopping to a pot. Maintain it flippantly moist whereas it settles in.
Care Suggestions
Watering
That is the place most individuals go mistaken.
The Florida Ghost doesn’t like being too dry or too moist. Test the highest inch of soil earlier than watering. If it’s dry, give it a drink till water drains out the underside.
In winter, water much less usually because the plant grows extra slowly. I’ve discovered that utilizing filtered or rainwater helps forestall these annoying leaf spots brought on by arduous faucet water.
Fertilizer Utility
Feed month-to-month throughout spring and summer season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half energy. Throughout fall and winter, decelerate or cease feeding altogether.
In the event you desire organics, worm castings, or liquid seaweed work nice. Simply don’t overdo it. An excessive amount of fertilizer can burn the roots and uninteresting these attractive leaf colours.
Pests and Illnesses Administration (IPM)
Spider mites and mealybugs often present up, particularly in dry air. Wiping the leaves with a moist fabric and spraying neem oil each few weeks helps hold them away.
Good airflow is essential.
Stagnant air and overwatering are recipes for fungal points like root rot. In case your leaves begin yellowing or drooping, verify the roots and let the soil dry out.
Mulching
In pots, mulching may appear odd, but it surely helps retain moisture and retains the topsoil from drying out too quick.
Use high quality bark chips or sphagnum moss; it additionally appears to be like neat and ornamental.
Overwintering
In the event you dwell someplace chilly, convey your Florida Ghost indoors earlier than temperatures drop under 55°F (13°C).
Maintain it away from heating vents, which might dry the air. You may as well mist the plant often to counteract low humidity.
Repotting
Repot each 1–2 years, or while you see roots circling the underside.
Transfer up only one pot dimension at a time. Repotting can also be the proper alternative to refresh the soil combine and provides the plant a brand new moss pole if wanted.
Pruning
Trim any leggy or broken development to encourage new shoots. Don’t be scared to chop again. Florida ghost responds nicely to pruning.
Plus, you should utilize the cuttings for propagation to get extra vegetation to share as items.
In the event you’re fascinated with studying about different uncommon and unique philodendrons, listed here are my high suggestions:
Conclusion
The Florida Ghost Philodendron could look problematic and demanding, but it surely’s not when you perceive what it wants.
To recap, simply give it good mild, humidity, and the correct potting combine, and it’ll reward you with gorgeous, ever-changing foliage that brightens any area.
In addition to, rising it in a pot makes it straightforward to handle, and watching these ghostly leaves flip inexperienced by no means will get previous. I hope you’ve loved this text.
Thanks for dropping by.