Philodendron brandtianum
Once I walked within the door with heaps of trailing vines dangling out of my arms, I might see my husband struggling to not roll his eyes.
“Sure, one other houseplant,” I conceded, “however take a look at these leaves!”
I had managed to make him fall in love with the velvety hearts on my micans philodendron, and there was no means he wasn’t going to be impressed by the iridescent silver on the brandi (Philodendron brandtianum) I used to be making an attempt to smuggle into our home.
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Spoiler alert: he did certainly fall head over heels. How might he not?
Every heart-shaped leaf is streaked, splotched, and in any other case mottled with silvery-gray highlights.
Some leaves are nearly completely silver, with simply the veins displaying the darkish inexperienced base hue.
It’s each bit as lovely as a heart-leaf philodendron with the added curiosity of the silvery markings.
Whereas the silver leaf philodendron isn’t as fashionable as its ‘Brasil,’ micans, and heartleaf cousins, to me that simply makes it all of the extra particular.
I can’t wait to discover this plant extra with you, so let’s dig in. Right here’s what we’ll talk about:
Philodendron brandtianum is often referred to as brandi or silver leaf philodendron, although “brandi” ought to truly be brandti. Oh properly.
It’s an aroid, secondary hemiepiphyte or epiphyte that grows in bushes, often from seeds dropped by passing birds or mammals, although typically it would begin life within the floor after which discover a tree to climb up because it matures.
Not solely is it a vining sort of plant, however it has an “appressed” climbing behavior, which implies it grows carefully pressed and hooked up to the trunk of the tree.
Typically a vine that begins life within the floor will climb a tree and sever its contact with the bottom.
Others spend their complete lives in a tree from begin to end. Some begin within the tree and drop roots into the bottom.
Fast Look
Frequent identify(s): Brandi, silver leaf philodendron
Plant sort: Vining aroid
Hardiness (USDA Zone): 10b-11b (outdoor)
Native to: South America
Bloom time / season: Evergreen
Publicity: Vibrant, oblique gentle, dappled shade
Soil sort: Free, organically-rich, properly draining
Soil pH: 5.5-6.5, barely acidic to impartial
Time to maturity: 5 years
Mature dimension: 1 ft extensive x 5-20 ft lengthy
Greatest makes use of: Houseplant, hanging basket, container specimen
Taxonomy
Order: Alismatales
Household: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Species: Brandtianum
Silver leaf philodendron is commonly confused with silver pothos (Scindapsus pictus), however Scindapsus has extra rounded foliage, whereas that of the philodendron is extra heart-shaped.
Each change form because the leaves age, with these of the philodendron turning into longer with pronounced veins. These of Scindapsus are thicker and extra succulent.
I’ve seen Scindapsus offered as brandi earlier than, so be sure to look carefully at what you might be buying!
P. brandtianum is commonly mislabeled as P. variifolium, however they’re fully completely different species.
Don’t confuse it with silver sword philodendron (P. hastatum), both.
They don’t look significantly related, since silver sword has extra ovate leaves and a faint silvery sheen, however the names are shut.
Because it takes on its mature kind, the variegation of the foliage fades away and the leaves turn out to be extra elongated and considerably leathery, often known as subcoriaceous.
Mature crops will flower, a hanging darkish inexperienced and deep violet inflorescence with a spathe and spadix and, later, seeds.
Until you give it one thing to climb as much as 30 or extra toes towards brighter gentle, it in all probability gained’t ever mature and flower.
As every leaf develops, it’s surrounded by a protecting cataphyll. You’ll additionally see aerial roots develop.
These are hairless, non-branching growths used to anchor the plant to the tree and take in rainwater.
Silver leaf philodendron is indigenous to South America, from Central Brazil to lowland Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, and will be grown outdoor in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 11b.
There are many methods to get pleasure from your brandi philodendron. It’s a basic selection, draping over a container and down a shelf, however you may also give it a pole or another assist.
Vining philodendrons are literally happiest if you give them a moss pole or one thing to climb.
Learn how to Develop
In case you’ve raised a heart-leaf or micans philodendron, you’ll just do superb with a silver leaf.
Soil
You possibly can develop these houseplants in a normal potting combine and so they’ll just do superb.
However if you wish to actually make your brandi pleased, you wish to give it one thing chunky, free, and never too wealthy.
You could find potting mediums formulated for aroids which can be sometimes comprised of components like orchid bark, peat, perlite, and coconut coir.
Even higher, search for a product with charcoal and worm castings like Gardenera Aroid Potting Combine.
Gardenera Aroid Potting Combine
You could find it out there by way of Amazon in one- to 20-quart luggage.
In case you develop your silver leaf philodendron on this medium, you’ll have to water extra typically than you’ll if it was rising in common potting combine to maintain the medium constantly moist.
That is precisely what the plant prefers.
Water
These crops prefer it when the potting medium stays frivolously moist however not soggy or moist. One of the simplest ways to explain it’s to maintain the soil like a well-wrung-out sponge always.
The frequency of watering will rely completely on the temperature, air motion, dimension of container, and time of 12 months.
Water when the floor of the soil begins to dry out or when a moisture meter tells you the soil is on the cusp of dry.
In case you mount your philodendron you just about can’t overwater it.
In the course of the winter, when the plant is partially dormant, permit the soil to just about, however not fully, dry out between watering.
Gentle
Present shiny, oblique gentle all day lengthy. Dappled daylight or morning gentle is okay, too.
The silvery coloring tends to be extra pronounced in shiny gentle, so don’t preserve this plant in a dark nook and count on it to glitter.
Temperature and Humidity
Like different vining philodendrons, temperatures within the 60s and 70s are excellent.
If the temperature climbs into the 80s or 90s for brief intervals, it’s superb, as are temperatures within the 50s. Exposing it to beneath 50°F and also you threat killing the plant.
In the precise circumstances with cool nights and funky days with shorter daylight than through the summer time, the plant can turn out to be deciduous and drop its leaves through the dormant season.
It should regrow the foliage within the spring.
As with most trailing philodendrons, it likes humidity to be round 50 to 80 %, however it will likely be superb in decrease humidity. You may see some brown leaf ideas, if the air is just too dry.
Fertilizing
For mounted crops or these in an aroid-specific medium, feed as soon as every week through the rising season with a light, balanced meals. Scale back feeding to as soon as a month within the winter.
For crops in a normal potting combine or rising within the floor, feed as soon as a month.
There are many foliage-focused fertilizers on the market that can work properly with this plant. You possibly can even discover these formulated particularly for aroids.
Dyna-Gro Foliage Professional Tremendous Thrive
I exploit Dyna-Gro Foliage Professional Tremendous Thrive formulation for all my aroids. You could find it in eight-ounce containers by way of Amazon.
The place to Purchase
It’s definitely not the commonest philodendron available on the market, however it’s not tremendous uncommon, both. You possibly can in all probability discover it at some native specialty nurseries or on-line.
Philodendron Brandtianum
For instance, the Thirsty Leaves Retailer at Amazon has stay crops in 4 to six-inch pots.
Upkeep
Silver leaf philodendron doesn’t want a lot in the way in which of upkeep. It’s best to at all times take away useless, broken, or discolored leaves as you see them.
Past that, pruning is completely at your discretion. If a vine is lengthy and there’s a lot of distance between the leaves, you may prune it again to encourage bushier progress.
Make your reduce proper in entrance of a leaf node utilizing a clear pair of scissors. When you’re at it, transfer the plant into brighter gentle to advertise denser progress.
You possibly can study extra about pruning philodendrons right here.
Propagation
You possibly can simply propagate brandi philodendrons from stem cuttings or by division.
From Cuttings
To take a chopping, search for a wholesome vine a few foot lengthy. You possibly can both reduce the entire vine off after which reduce it into sections, or simply take a tip chopping.
Every part must be a minimal of three inches lengthy with two or extra leaf nodes.
With philodendron cuttings (and monstera, by the way), I often begin them in water as a result of it’s really easy and so they root so properly.
In case you resolve to begin your cuttings in soil, you must decide to preserving the medium moist always.
To start out in water, put the chopping in a glass jar in order that one of many leaf nodes is below water and the remainder of the chopping is propped up above the water.
Alternatively, fill a small container with water-retentive potting combine and plant the chopping so not less than one leaf node is buried.
Place them in a spot with shiny, oblique gentle and in the event you’re utilizing soil, preserve it moist however not moist always.
Inside just a few weeks, roots ought to begin forming. Wait till you may see a number of roots which can be not less than two inches lengthy earlier than you progress the chopping began in water to potting combine.
These in soil will be handled as a standard plant as long as they’re agency and don’t flip brown or collapse. They’ll ultimately kind roots and develop.
To maneuver a chopping rooted in water to a container, fill a pot with potting soil formulated for aroids and poke just a little gap in it.
Place the chopping within the soil with the roots buried and only a small part of stem buried. Moisten the soil and look after the brand new plant as you’ll a mature brandi.
By Division
As these crops develop, they’ll develop numerous stems rising out of the crown and you may separate these to make extra crops.
To do that, take away the plant from the container and gently tease aside the roots and a piece or a number of sections of stems. Normally, there will probably be a pure division that you’ll find.
You may want to make use of some scissors or pruners, and in that case, be sure to sanitize your instruments. Wash them with sizzling, soapy water or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol.
Repot every part in its personal clear container, filling across the roots with aroid potting soil.
Managing Pests and Illness
In case you develop philodendrons lengthy sufficient, you’ll ultimately see them begin to weep.
This comes within the type of little droplets of water operating down the leaves and falling off the ideas. This isn’t brought on by a illness or any sort of downside.
Philodendrons have glands referred to as hydathodes that produce liquid. This course of is named guttation. When there’s extra liquid, it usually evaporates off the plant.
But when there’s little air motion and funky temperatures, the liquid can’t evaporate, and it’ll accumulate on the leaf. There’s nothing incorrect, it’s completely regular.
In relation to pests, it’s simply the standard suspects that assault most houseplants to maintain a watch out for.
Pests
I’ve dozens of philodendron species in my home and never a single considered one of them has ever had an issue with pests.
However listed here are the massive three which may come spherical, significantly in case your crops are burdened:
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are critters within the household Pseudococcidae that often thrive in heat, humid climates.
They often have a white or grayish waxy coating which may make them seem like signs of a fungal illness. That is very true as a result of they have an inclination to remain in place.
They use their sapsucking mouthparts to feed on crops, inflicting stunted progress and yellowing leaves.
Typically, you may scrape them off or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol, however heavier infestations may require a extra concentrated effort.
Be taught extra about mealybugs right here.
Scale
There are dozens of scale species that may feed on houseplants, however the chances are high extremely doubtless it will likely be brown tender scale (Coccus hesperidum) that assaults your philodendrons.
They seem like little brown lumps and bumps, often on the stems, however they are often wherever.
You possibly can scrape these off utilizing a butter knife or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol after which spray with neem oil.
Our information to coping with scale has extra data.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tremendous frequent, however they often choose dry circumstances in order that they shouldn’t be drawn to your brandi philodendron.
If they’re current, you’ll doubtless see webbing and the leaves will turn out to be speckled yellow and look dry.
You possibly can often management an infestation by spraying the mites off the plant utilizing a robust stream of water each few days.
If that doesn’t work you may want to make use of an insecticide like neem oil or insecticidal cleaning soap.
Our information to spider mites explains the small print.
Illness
We’ve already talked about one of many two main illnesses that may influence philodendrons and that’s root rot. It’s brought on by overwatering, which permits pathogens to proliferate.
It may often be managed by lowering water and treating with a fungicide, however you may study all the small print in our information to root rot.
In any other case, much less typically you may encounter bacterial leaf spot.
Attributable to Erwinia species, it leads to – you guessed it – spots on the leaves. These are often black or darkish brown however can be yellow.
In case you begin seeing spots, spray your crops with a broad-spectrum biofungicide.
Monterey Full Illness Management
Arbico Organics carries a superb product referred to as Monterey Full Illness Management, out there in 32-ounce ready-to-use, or in focus.
Spray your plant as soon as each few weeks till no new signs develop.
The Silver Mom Lode
P. brandtianum has every part we love about philodendrons, with its adaptability, ease of care, and stylish kind, plus a silvery accent that makes it stand out.
I can’t wait to listen to about your adventures in mining for philo silver. Tell us within the feedback beneath in the event you’re already rising this species or in the event you intend to sooner or later!
Like what you learn right here? You possibly can study extra about philodendrons by including these guides to your studying listing subsequent: