Philodendrons – A classic, and sure to grow houseplant

A classic, and sure to grow houseplant 

Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, and yet, are grown for their foliage as indoor and outdoor plants. With over 400 varieties, this plant belongs to the same family as Anthuriums. The name derives from the Greek words philo- or “love, affection” and dendron or “tree”.

There are two basic types of philodendrons: the vining plants and the non-climbing plants. The vining plants grow vines of several feet and need some sort of support structure to climb on, such as a trellis or around a basket. The non-climbing types have an upright growth habit and make for excellent foliage plants in containers. In general, philodendrons have a fast growth rate.

Their leaves are typically large, green, and glossy, adding a touch of their native tropical jungles to your home.  A quality of philodendrons is that they do not have a single type of leaf on the same plant. Instead, they have juvenile leaves and adult leaves, which can be drastically different from one another. Philodendrons have both aerial and subterranean roots. The aerial roots occur in many shapes and sizes and originate from most of the plant’s nodes.

When caring for an indoor philodendron plant, aim to mimic its natural tropical environment. Provide plenty of warmth and moisture near a sunny window. Philodendron houseplants also tend to appreciate some time outside during warm weather to get some fresh air and natural light. But be sure to place them in a somewhat shady spot, as direct sunlight can burn them.

Moreover, to keep your plant’s leaves looking and functioning their best, regularly dust them off with a damp cloth. If your philodendron vines get too long for your taste, you can cut them back. These plants don’t have any serious issues with pests or diseases. But they can be susceptible to common houseplant pests including aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Treat pests with a natural insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

Growing conditions

Philodendrons typically grow best in partial sunlight. They naturally would get dappled light under a tropical canopy, not direct sun. Indoors, set them up by a window that gets bright, indirect light. Too little light can result in leggy growth with lots of space in between the leaves. But too much light can cause many of the leaves to turn yellow at the same time. Only a few leaves yellowing is typically just normal aging.

Philodendrons like a loose potting soil that’s rich in organic matter. The soil must have good drainage. For container plants, it’s recommended to replace your philodendron’s soil every couple of years or so. These plants are sensitive to salts that accumulate in the soil via watering, which can cause leaf browning and yellowing. You can periodically flush out some of the salts by watering your container thoroughly.

These plants generally like a moderate amount of soil moisture. Water whenever the top inch of soil has dried out. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause the leaves to droop, so gauge when it’s time to water by the soil dryness and not necessarily the leaves. Philodendrons don’t do well sitting in soggy soil, as this can lead to root rot.

In general, they should not be exposed to cold temperatures and indoors, protect them from cool drafts, such as those from an air-conditioning vent. These plants do like humidity. To do so, you can mist the plant every few days with water from a spray bottle.

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer 4 times a year. If your plant isn’t getting enough food, its growth will be slower than normal and its leaves might appear smaller than usual.

Potting and Repotting Philodendrons

Initially, a philodendron should be planted in a container that is slightly larger than its root ball and has ample drainage holes. When the roots start poking up from the soil and out of the drainage holes of the pot, it’s time to repot the philodendron. Select one pot size up, gently remove your plant from its old pot, and place it in the new one with fresh soil. Then, water the plant.

Warning

Philodendron leaves and stems are high in calcium oxalate. This can be toxic to both people and animals when eaten.