Philodendron Care Indoor

 

The botanical name of philodendron plant is Philodendron spp. And the plant has served as a mainstay in interior gardens. The Philodendron plant care is very easy because if you watch for the signals, the philodendron plant will tell you exactly what it needs. Even new houseplant owners will have no trouble growing philodendron plant, because the philodendron plants adapt readily to conditions inside the home. 

 

Philodendron Plant Info

The botanical name: The botanical name is Philodendron spp.

The height: The vines of the plant can grow up to three feet; some non-climbers up to six feet tall.

The spread: Some non-climbers can reach about six feet.

The sun exposure: The Philodendron plant prefers indirect sun.

Soil type: The Philodendron plant does well in light, well-draining soil.

USDA hardiness zones: eight to eleven

When to plant Philodendron: You can plant them year round as houseplants; outdoors in spring

 

 

Philodendron Care

The indoor philodendron plants grow year round without complaint, but the plant enjoys an occasional stay outdoors in a shady spot when the weather permits. Taking the philodendrons plant outdoors also gives you a chance to flush the soil with plenty of fresh water and clean the leaves. Unlike most houseplants the philodendron plants don’t actually experience as much stress when moving from indoor to outdoor settings.

Furthermore, the cultural needs of philodendron plants depend on the species of the plant and whether it is a houseplant or a garden fixture. But a few general rules apply when it comes to how to care for a philodendron plants. First, most philodendron plants are not cold hardy and they can only live outside in a very warm climate. The Philodendron plants prefer the same temperatures humans enjoy indoors. Secondly, most species of the plant do not do well in direct sun, and, finally, most philodendron plants actually require well-draining soil to thrive.

 

Light requirement

Does a philodendron need sunlight? Actually the amount and the type of sunlight the philodendron plant requires depend on the species. The popular heart-leaf philodendron plant prefers indirect bright light, although these are easy-going houseplants that will accept a range of lighting conditions, as well as shade.

If you're actually growing your philodendron plant as a houseplant, you need to place the pot in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Try and find a location near a window where the sun’s rays never actually touch the plant foliage. While it’s normal for the plant older leaves to yellow, if this happens to several leaves at the same time, it means the philodendron plant may be getting too much light. On the other hand, if the stems of the plant are long and leggy with several inches between leaves, the philodendron plant probably isn’t getting enough light. 

 

Soil requirement

You can plant your philodendrons in light growing medium that allows water to drain easily. Wet soil can easily cause roots to rot.

 

Water requirement

How often should you water a philodendron? Actually philodendron plants are not particularly thirsty plants. Generally houseplants are watered whenever the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dry to the touch. That's about the length of your index finger to the first knuckle, so inserting your finger into the soil is actually a good way to check the moisture level.

Normally, the large lush leaves of philodendron plants do best when their soil is kept consistently moist, but not wet. Droopy leaves can mean that the philodendron plant is getting too much or not enough water. But the plant leaves recover quickly when you correct the watering schedule.

 

The philodendron plant’s leaves will also turn yellow when it is getting too much water. This is less likely in outdoor plants than houseplants. Don’t ever let a potted plant sit in a saucer of water.

 

Fertilizer requirement

It is advised that you fertilize philodendron plants regularly. You can feed your philodendron houseplants with a balanced liquid foliage houseplant fertilizer that contains macro-nutrients. You can use a water-soluble fertilizer and make sure to dilute it.

Water your philodendron plant with the fertilizer monthly in spring and summer and every 6 to 8 weeks in fall and winter. Slow growth and small leaf size is the philodendron plant’s way of telling you that it isn’t getting sufficient fertilizer. Pale new leaves usually indicate that the philodendron plant isn’t getting enough calcium and magnesium, which are important micro-nutrients for the philodendron plant.  

 

Philodendron Propagation

A lot of species of philodendron plant propagate readily from cuttings planted in potting mix. Heart-leaf is among them. That simply means that with one established houseplant you can create as many as you like over time.

 

Philodendron Care Outdoors

If you actually live in one of the warmest hardiness zones, you can easily include philodendron foliage plants in the garden. In mild zones, tree philodendron plant can reach a height of twelve to fifteen feet with an equal or greater spread, and has deeply cut, green to dark green leaves up to three feet in length. All actually need indirect sun, well-draining soil, and reasonable irrigation. The philodendron plant prefers a humid climate.

 

Philodendrons Problem

The Philodendron plants are generally not difficult to care for in the home. The Philodendron plants are not vulnerable to many plant diseases, though they react to excess or insufficient water. If you fail to give the Philodendron plants well-draining soil, you may cause root rot, which can easily kill the Philodendron plants. Too much fertilizer can cause tip browning on the plant. Too much or too little water plus insects and mites are the main problem of the Philodendron plants.

In terms of insect pests on the plant, try and keep an eye out for mealybugs, aphids, scales and spider mites. And don’t eat any part of your philodendron plants. The Philodendron plants are toxic to humans and pets.

 

Philodendron Varieties

Actually the philodendron plant genus is a large one, which is generally divided into 2 major types: climbing and non-climbing. The philodendron plant with vines can either be trained to climb up a trellis or hang down in a hanging basket. The climbing varieties are:

 

The Fiddleleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum bipennifolium) variety.

The Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) variety

The Red-leaf philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) variety

The Elephant’s ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum) variety

The Silver sword (Philodendron hastatum) variety

The Brandi philodendron (Philodendron brandtianum) variety

The Velour philodendron (Philodendron melanochrysum) variety

 

The Self-heading varieties are the non-climbing species. These particular varieties have an upright, spreading growth habit. The width of non-climbers can be as much as twice their height, so give them plenty of elbow room. The Self-heading varieties often work better outside. The non-climbing varieties are:

 

The Hybrids such as "Xanadu," "Birkin," and "Moonlight" variety

The Lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) variety

The Birdsnest philodendron (Philodendron imbe) variety

The Split leaf philodendron (Philodendron selloum) variety