How to Grow Philodendron Micans

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

I’ve lived with my philodendron micans for a few years, and to at the present time, each time I stroll by it, I do a double-take or simply stare upon it lovingly.

The guts-shaped leaves are gorgeous on their very own as anybody with a heartleaf philodendron is aware of, however the bronzey-pink hue actually makes micans stand out.

That’s sufficient to make it further particular, however the leaves even have a velvety texture with an iridescence that sparkles within the mild. It’s unattainable to disregard.

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I’m not the one one who has fallen in love with this vining plant. The Royal Horticultural Society gave philodendron micans its coveted Award of Backyard Advantage in 1993.

If any plant deserves this honor, in my view, it’s this one. I like it not solely as a result of it’s so good trying, however it’s additionally a kind of houseplants that wants hardly any care.

Earlier than leaping in, you may wish to try our philodendron rising information for an summary of the species basically.

On this information, we’ll give attention to methods to maintain your micans as comfortable as may be.

Right here’s what I’ll cowl:

It helps to know somewhat bit about the place a plant got here from to higher perceive methods to take care of it, so let’s begin with that:

Cultivation and Historical past

Philodendron hederaceum (syn. P. scandens) consists of a number of heart-shaped cultivars and varieties, however it’s particularly the botanical selection hederaceum that’s bought below the title “micans.”

Velvet leaf philodendron, as it’s also identified, was previously categorized as P. micans, however it’s not acknowledged as a separate species however a naturally-occurring variation of P. hederaceum.

A member of the Araceae household, philodendron micans is a part of the group of crops often known as aroids.

Of their native Central and South America, these crops are secondary epiphytes or hemi-epiphytes that use different bushes and shrubs as a help construction to achieve mild, water, and vitamins.

When the brand new leaves first emerge from their sheaths, they’re pinkish-red in coloration. Because the leaves age, they flip deep inexperienced or greenish-bronze, relying on the sunshine publicity.

Most philodendrons grown as houseplants retain their immature leaves, but when the foliage is ready to totally mature, micans leaves can attain as much as eight inches throughout with distinct veins and a real coronary heart form, often known as cordate.

Philodendron micans appears comparable in form to the species, with the large distinction being the colour of the foliage.

Outside, philodendron micans can develop as much as 20 toes lengthy and 10 toes large and can type spathes of white flowers. Indoors, whereas they will develop simply as massive if supplied with the precise mild publicity, they not often bloom.

The plant accommodates calcium oxalate crystals, which may be irritating to the pores and skin and mucous membranes, so I wouldn’t advocate making a heaping salad of the leaves, however philodendron micans isn’t thought of significantly poisonous.

Philodendron Micans Propagation

At one level, I had over a dozen philodendron micans specimens hanging out round my home.

As I already talked about, I like them, however that’s not why I had so many. I used to have a cute little mini vase rack that I preferred to maintain filled with cuttings as a show in my kitchen.

The philodendron micans cuttings rooted so readily, and I simply couldn’t deliver myself to toss out the younger crops, so I potted them up after they obtained too huge for the show. I ended up giving them away as items lest I run out of house!

All that’s to say that you would be able to propagate these crops simply. You possibly can select to purchase a plant, divide an present specimen, or take cuttings.

From Division

To divide a vining philodendron like micans, it should have a minimum of 4 stems popping out of the soil.

They develop a number of stems fairly quickly, so a plant that could be a few years outdated is prone to be prepared for dividing.

Take away the plant from its container and gently brush away the soil so you possibly can see the roots. Loosen up the roots a bit so you possibly can see the place there’s some pure separation.

The scale of the division doesn’t matter as long as you possibly can receive two stems and a piece of root.

Gently tease aside a number of stems with roots connected. If the roots are too tangled, you should use a clear pair of scissors to separate them.

Put one part again within the unique container and pot up the opposite part or sections into their very own containers. Fill round with recent new soil and add sufficient water in order that it begins to expire of the drainage gap.

From Cuttings

Prepared for one of many best propagation jobs on the market? Take a wholesome piece of stem that’s about six inches lengthy and lower it off slightly below a leaf.

The stem wants a minimum of two leaves on it. It’s not the leaves which are vital, however the nodes, as that’s the place the roots will emerge.

Pull off all however the prime leaf or two so there’s a minimum of one naked leaf node and dip the lower finish in rooting hormone.

Bonide Bontone II Rooting Powder

You possibly can decide up a 1.25-ounce container at Arbico Organics, and it’ll final you thru loads of propagation tasks.

Fill a four-inch pot with water-retentive, wealthy potting medium. Moisten the potting medium after which make a small gap in it together with your pinky finger, a chopstick, or a pencil.

Stick the stem into the potting medium in order that it’s an inch or so deep, and agency the soil up round it. Tent a chunk of plastic over the chopping to assist retain humidity.

Philodendron micans cuttings will develop finest when they’re uncovered to a bit extra mild than most houseplant species would sometimes require.

Present direct mild within the morning and early afternoon, and brilliant, oblique mild for the remainder of the day. Alternatively you possibly can use a develop mild.

After a number of weeks, wiggle your fingers into the soil and below the chopping. Gently raise it up and search for roots.

Transplanting

In case you purchase a specimen, you possibly can depart it within the unique container for a number of months or repot it right into a barely bigger container straight away for those who want.

If you’re able to repot, decide a container one measurement up from the prevailing pot. The container ought to have drainage in order that extra water can run out.

Gently take away the plant from its container.

Loosen up the basis ball somewhat and snip away any black or mushy roots.

Fill in round with recent potting soil, then agency the soil down gently and water. If the soil settles, add a bit extra.

The best way to Develop Philodendron Micans

Philodendron micans requires a superb quantity of sunshine to develop the bronzy coloration and velvety iridescent impact on the foliage.

An space with direct morning mild however shielded from direct afternoon mild is right, or a spot with brilliant, oblique mild with a southern publicity would work, as effectively.

You must present the plant with brighter mild to encourage the bronze coloring. In case you want the inexperienced hue, goal for much less mild.

If the plant begins to develop lengthy and leggy, it’s a positive indication that it isn’t receiving sufficient mild.

These crops love a moss pole to climb up or you possibly can enable your micans to be completely trailing. Bear in mind, they often climb onto one other plant in nature.

In terms of watering, philodendron micans likes the potting medium to stay persistently moist however not soggy and moist.

The most effective tip I may give you is not to water on a schedule. The quantity of water a houseplant wants will differ always relying on the sunshine, temperature, ambient humidity, and different environmental components.

You may water as soon as every week throughout the summer time and as soon as each different week throughout the winter.

It’s higher to test the soil each time earlier than you water. You may finally be capable of inform simply by lifting the pot and testing the burden, however till then, simply stick a finger into the soil.

It ought to be dry a couple of quarter to midway down into the pot. In case you don’t wish to soiled your finger, you possibly can at all times use a soil moisture meter as an alternative.

If you water, be sure to take action on the soil stage and maintain going till the liquid runs out of the drainage gap. If in case you have a catchment container, empty it after about half an hour.

Talking of soil, select one thing free and wealthy, with water-retentive properties. Moss, perlite, and vermiculite are each frequent water-retentive components.

In case you see darkish brown blotches between the leaf veins, this means the plant was uncovered to temperatures which are too low.

This will occur throughout the winter in case your plant is located close to a window or exterior door.

Philodendron micans will adapt to simply about any humidity stage, although it might develop brown leaf ideas in very dry areas. Goal for humidity between 40 to 60 %.

Feed your crops as soon as a month from spring till fall, however maintain off throughout the winter. Use a balanced, delicate fertilizer. It’s often best to search for one formulated for houseplants.

Dr. Earth’s Pump and Develop for houseplants is straightforward to make use of due to its pump. It additionally has a wonderfully balanced and delicate NPK ratio of 1-1-1.

Dr. Earth Pump & Develop

You possibly can seize a 16-ounce container at Arbico Organics.

Overfeeding will consequence within the leaves curling on the finish. Underfeeding may cause v-shaped yellow areas to type on the leaves, which signifies magnesium deficiency.

Rising Suggestions

• Preserve your crops in brilliant, oblique mild or some direct morning publicity.
• Water when the highest quarter of the soil has dried out.
• Feed as soon as a month, spring via fall, with a gentle, balanced meals.

Pruning and Upkeep

You don’t must prune philodendrons, however you possibly can at all times lower them again to encourage bushier development or to take away straggly vines.

Crops grown in too little mild are inclined to turn out to be leggy, with lengthy internodes, which is the world between the leaves.

You must at all times prune off any dying, diseased, deformed, or discolored leaves or stems as you discover them.

If you resolve to prune, go to our information to be taught every thing that you must know concerning the course of.

Each few years, you’ll probably must both divide or repot the plant into a bigger container. Don’t go too massive, although. Philodendrons, as with most aroids, prefer to have their roots a bit cosy.

Not like self-heading or non-climbing species, climbing philodendrons like micans don’t essentially want to be divided, however it’s an choice if you wish to multiply your crops otherwise you don’t wish to improve the pot measurement.

The place to Purchase Philodendron Micans

A couple of years in the past, it was arduous to seek out philodendron micans at shops. Now, you will discover them all over.

Philodendron Micans

Yow will discover a cute little plant in a four-inch pot accessible by way of Walmart.

In case you want one thing a bit larger, you possibly can seize a extra established plant in an eight-inch pot from California Tropicals by way of Amazon.

By the best way, in your search, you’ll in all probability come throughout philodendron micans crops with pink foliage. They’re completely gorgeous however I might advise you to not purchase one.

The pink coloring comes from the hormone ethylene, which growers give to the plant to induce the hue artificially.

As soon as new leaves type, they’ll emerge of their regular coloration, and the prevailing pink leaves will revert again to inexperienced over time.

Managing Pests and Illness

As long as you help your crops with the precise care, it’s unlikely that you simply’ll ever expertise issues.

Pests are extra frequent than illnesses, however they’re extra prone to assault different houseplant species earlier than they’re going to go on your philodendron micans.

Maybe there’s one thing about these velvety leaves that doesn’t attraction to bugs!

Bugs

All the same old houseplant suspects can have an effect on micans, however for those who catch an infestation early, it’s not often an issue.

Let’s begin with public enemy primary:

Aphids

Aphids are an especially frequent family pest. They are going to feed on philodendron micans, particularly if the plant is already harassed.

These tiny pests use their sucking mouthparts to attract out the sap from plant tissue. This can trigger the leaves to show yellow or have yellow speckles.

You’ll additionally usually see a sticky, clear substance on the stems and foliage. That is the honeydew that the aphids secrete as they feed.

It’s pretty simple to deal with aphids for those who catch them early. You possibly can often spray them off with a powerful stream of water or use a broad-spectrum insecticide.

Now we have a number of ideas in our information to coping with aphids, so remember to learn it if you’d like extra particulars.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are carefully associated to scale, which we’ll discuss subsequent, and the therapy is comparable.

These small oval bugs sap the suck out of the crops, transferring so slowly that you simply may not even notice they’re alive. As they drain the plant, the leaves flip yellow and new shoots may die.

These pests are lined in a waxy white or grey substance, which make them sort of seem like the signs of a fungal an infection. Like aphids, they secrete a sticky substance known as honeydew.

You possibly can wipe every particular person insect with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. It’s also possible to add an insecticide for a double-whammy.

For extra particulars, learn our information to coping with mealybugs.

Scale

Much like mealybugs, scale are flat, oval bugs however they lack the waxy coating. At first glass, an infestation may seem like some type of lumpy leaf spot illness.

They trigger the identical harm and may be managed the identical method as mealybugs. We additionally have a information that explains methods to tackle a scale infestation.

Illness

Ailments are uncommon and often related to overwatering, overcrowding, or poorly draining soil.

Bacterial Blight

Bacterial blight is brought on by Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora. When it infects your plant, you will note small darkish inexperienced spots which are virtually black on the foliage and stems.

As they increase, the complete leaf and petiole will flip into mush. In case you take a whiff, the plant will scent just like the water in a flower association for those who depart it unchanged for every week or two.

The micro organism unfold in water, so good air circulation and avoiding water splash is vital.

As soon as your plant is contaminated, there’s no remedy, so it’s finest to toss the specimen fairly than threat the illness spreading.

Bacterial Spot

Bacterial spot is a illness brought on by the pathogen Zanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae.

Search for tiny spots on the margins of the leaves. They’ll often look water-soaked, however as they age, they tackle a tan or reddish-brown hue and might need yellow halos.

Most frequently, crops are contaminated on the nursery or greenhouse, and the signs don’t present up till a lot later.

You must at all times test any crops you buy for indicators of illness, however signs gained’t essentially be apparent.

As soon as once more, there’s no remedy, so that you’ll must eliminate the contaminated specimen so the illness doesn’t unfold.

Root Rot

There are two causes of root rot. The primary is continual overwatering which leads to the roots sitting in oversaturated soil unable to entry enough oxygen.

The opposite trigger is an infection from oomycetes within the Pythium genus, which want a number of moisture to thrive.

In each instances, the result’s yellowing leaves that can finally flip brown. The leaves sometimes gained’t drop from the plant. In case you take a look at the roots, they are going to be black and mushy.

Root rot is without doubt one of the commonest issues in houseplants.

I’ve discovered the most effective therapy is to take away the plant from the soil, wash out the pot with cleaning soap and water, and repot the plant with recent potting soil.

Then, soak the soil as soon as a month with Mycostop, a biofungicide that makes use of the helpful micro organism Streptomyces pressure K61 to kill pathogens like oomycetes.

Mycostop Biofungicide

Buy 5 or 25 grams at Arbico Organics.

You possibly can be taught extra about methods to cope with root rot in our information.

Greatest Makes use of for Philodendron Micans

In case you stay in Zones 10 to 12, this plant is a lovely floor cowl or trailing choice for the backyard.

As a houseplant, it’s pretty climbing up a pole or wall – with help in fact. Put it in a dangling pot or show it trailing down a bookshelf.

Fast Reference Rising Information

Plant Sort:	Herbaceous aroid epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte	Foliage Coloration:	Bronze, pink, inexperienced
Native to:	Central and South America	Tolerance:	Some low mild
Hardiness (USDA Zone):	10-12	Soil Sort:	Free, ethereal, humus-rich
Publicity:	Shiny, oblique mild, morning direct mild	Soil pH:	6.0-7.5
Time to Maturity:	8 years	Soil Drainage:	Effectively-draining
Size:	20 toes	Makes use of:	Hanging crops, climber, floor cowl (open air)
Unfold:	10 toes	Order:	Alismatales
Development Fee:	Quick	Household:	Araceae
Water Wants:	Average	Genus:	Philodendron
Upkeep:	Low	Species:	Hederaceum
Frequent Pests and Ailments:	Aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites; bacterial leaf spot, root rot	Selection:	Hederaceum

All Hail The Mighty Micans

I might go on raving about how a lot I like philodendron micans, however I’m hoping that you simply’re already a convert after studying this information. It’s really a lovely but carefree houseplant choice.

How are you rising your philodendron micans? Is it climbing up a moss pole or trailing over the edges of a dangling container? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!

And for extra details about rising philodendrons, try these guides subsequent: