The philodendron is easy to care for and forgives even small care mistakes. However, to ensure that it thrives, you should note a few things.
Philodendron is a species-rich plant genus that is at home in the rainforest. The climbing plants impress with their thick, glossy leaves and interesting leaf shapes. As a houseplant, the philodendron is extremely frugal and undemanding. This has also earned the plants the nickname "bachelor plant". Even if the philodendron forgives one or two care mistakes, every indoor gardener should know the basic planting and care tips.
Special Features
The philodendron belongs to the aroid family and comes in about 250 species. The home of the plants, also known as tree friends, is in the tropical rainforests of South America and the Caribbean.
There the lianas wind their way along the treetops and find a secure hold on the tree bark with their aerial roots. The aerial roots are able to absorb nutrients and moisture. However, the nutrient requirement is mainly covered by the main root, which is anchored in the ground.
Philodendron as a houseplant
As indoor plants, growth heights of three to four meters are reached. A climbing aid is a prerequisite for the species-appropriate cultivation of the tropical climbing plant. For some small-leaved species, placing them in hanging baskets has proven useful.
Philodendrons are not only attractive indoor plants, they can also help to improve the indoor climate. Toxins such as benzene or formaldehyde are filtered out of the air.
Is philodendron poisonous?
Most species release toxins when consumed. If in doubt, cat owners in particular should seek advice from a veterinarian. Cats have a habit of nibbling on indoor plants. The toxins can damage the kidneys.
An overview of some pretty varieties
The species-rich plant genus gives the hobby gardener a lot of variety. Climbing and non-climbing species with large, showy or rather small and filigree leaves make for exceptional onesEye-catchers in the living room.
| Type | Growth | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Philodendron bipennifolium | up to three meters | • fast growing • heart-shaped leaves that get longer with age • strong stems |
| Philodendron bipinnatifidum | about a meter | • not a climber • arrow-shaped leaves • short, thick stem |
| Philodendron erubescens | about two meters | • requires climbing support • glossy leaves • purple trunk |
| Philodendron laciniatum | about 1.5 meters | • slow growing • long petioles • glossy leaves |
| Philodendron imbe | about three meters | • fast growing • thin leaves • stems often reddish |
Select the right philodendron
The most beautiful climbing plants
- Philodendron laciniatum
- Philodendron imbe
- Philodendron elegans
- Philodendron bipennifolium
The most beautiful upright growing species
- Philodendron bipinnatifidium
- Philodendron selloum
- Philodendron Xanadu
- Philodendron Atom
Plant Philodendron
Find the right location
The jungle plant does well in a bright, but not full sun location. The bright midday sun in particular should be avoided. The plants can also cope with unfavorable locations. If the stand is too dark, however, the growth habit of the leaves suffers and the intense green of the leaves is lost.
Tip: If the location is too shady, the plants will develop long shoots with small, widely spaced leaves.
The philodendron should receive at least two to three hours of sunlight per day. This can be achieved by positioning the plants some five meters from the south-facing window, four meters from the west or east-facing window and 3 meters from the north-facing window.
Since there is usually relatively low humidity in closed living spaces, the jungle plants must be sprayed regularly.
Outdoor cultivation is only recommended for Philodendron bipinnatifidum. This species can move to a light and semi-shady place in the garden and on the terrace in summer. All other species are cultivated as a houseplant all year round and come with the cool onesnight temperatures in our latitudes less well.
Coming soon:
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- light
- partial shade
- breezy
- moist
Selecting the ideal substrate
The tree friend needs a nutrient-rich and loose substrate. The soil should be well-drained. The irrigation water must be able to drain away unhindered. Avoid waterlogging, because the plants do not tolerate this. Soil that dries out too quickly is also unsuitable for the jungle plant.
The ideal substrate consists of potting soil, compost, peat and leaves. You can also get a suitable soil if potting soil is mixed with coconut fibers in a ratio of 1:1.
Coming soon:
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- loose
- permeable
- nutrient rich
Planting philodendrons - step by step
1. Select location2. Provide substrate
3. Adjust planter
4. Create drainage in the bottom of the container
5. Fill in the potting soil6. Insert the plant
7. Fill up the substrate completely
8. Attach the climbing aid
9. Press the substrate down well
10. Water the plant
The philodendron can be repotted immediately after purchase. Often the soil is of rather inferior quality or the plants have already completely rooted through the planters. The chosen plant pot should be of a sufficient size, then you don't have to repot as often and it is sufficient to apply a fresh layer of soil every now and then to enhance the substrate.
The climbing plants need climbing aids. The aerial roots need a firm hold, which they cannot find on dry plant stakes or branches. It is therefore a good idea to cover the trellis with a layer of sphagnum (swamp moss).
Initially, the shoots can be tied to the growth aid. The sphagnum must be sprayed with water daily so that the aerial roots can find support.
Tip: Use sufficiently large climbing aids. An extension afterwards is difficult.
Caring for Philodendron
Water the philodendron correctly
Although the water consumption of the jungle dweller is quite low, the plants must never dry out. Casting requires some finesse. Plants are sensitive to excess water. It should therefore be watered sparingly. If the soil has dried slightly, it can be watered again.
The root ball should always be evenbe kept moist. Dry bales, waterlogging and a heavy, permanently heavily soaked soil are not tolerated.
Tip: It is best to use room temperature rainwater to water the philodendron.
Regular spraying of the jungle plant must not be forgotten. Depending on the location and the prevailing climatic conditions, spray weekly to daily.
Coming soon:
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- regular
- moderate
- Avoid dry feet
- Avoid waterlogging
- spray frequently
Fertilize philodendron correctly
During the growing season, the plants need a conventional liquid fertilizer for green plants once a week. The dosage should be adjusted to the moderate nutrient requirements of the philodendron. Over-fertilization should be avoided. No fertilizer applications are required between November and March.
Coming soon:
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- moderate nutritional needs
- Liquid fertilizer during the growing season
- no fertilization necessary in winter
Pruning Philodendron
Under suitable site conditions, it is not uncommon for the philodendron to literally outgrow its owner. The plants tolerate pruning well and shoots that have become too long can be trimmed at any time between spring and late summer.
Depending on the nature of the shoots, different cutting tools are needed:
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- young shoots=knife
- woody shoots=secateurs
- thick woody shoots=pruning shears or saw
It is important that the cutting tools are sharp so that the cutting edges heal as quickly as possible and bruised and torn cutting edges do not damage the plant.
Propagate Philodendron
The plant can be propagated by cuttings and sowing. The non-climbing species can only be propagated by sowing.
Propagation by cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is ideal for climbing plants. These can be cut below a leaf node. A cutting should be about 20 centimeters long. All lower leaves are removed. If these come into contact with the substrate, the cutting threatens to rot.
The cuttings are planted in a peat-sand mixture. In order to accelerate the budding, the planters should be lined with abe provided with a plastic cover. The plant pots are set up bright but not sunny.
If the propagation was successful, the first new shoots should appear after three to four weeks. The plastic hood can now be removed. The young plants are consistently watered sparingly and can receive a weak dose of fertilizer monthly.
After about half a year, the plants have developed sufficiently and can move to a larger planter.
Tip: With small-leaved species, it is advantageous to place several young plants in one planter. The philodendron then appears denser and bushier.
Propagation by seeds
Proceed as follows when growing from seeds:
1. Prepare the planting bowl
2. Prepare the potting soil
3. Distribute the seeds on the substrate
4. Cover the seeds with soil
5. Set up the planting bowl in a bright and warm place
6. Wait for germination
A peat-sand mixture is also suitable as a substrate here. The seeds are placed about an inch deep in the ground and should germinate within a few weeks at temperatures between 24 and 27 degrees. From a height of five centimetres, the seedlings can be pricked out and moved to separate planters.
Diseases and Pests
In general, the plants are hardly susceptible to diseases and pests.
Infestation with the following pests was occasionally observed:
- spider mite
- meal lice
- scale insects
- Thrips
The spider mites are easy to spot in the bulges on the edges of the leaves. When spraying the plant with water, the webs can be seen particularly clearly. If webs reminiscent of small cotton balls become visible on the leaves, it is probably an infestation with mealybugs or mealybugs.
Scale insects are often overlooked because they have adapted very well to the color of the leaves. On closer inspection, however, the bulges of the small carapaces are clearly visible. If thrips hunt for philodendrons, the otherwise robust plants quickly lose vitality and the affected leaves die off.
Winter Philodendron
No special precautions need to be taken when overwintering the plants. The tropical plants are left in the warm living room all year round and do not need a special rest period.
Tip: The species Philodendron bipinnatifidum is an exception. This plant prefers between November and MarchTemperatures around twelve degrees.
In the light-poor period, the plants clearly slow down their growth. The nutrient requirement is correspondingly lower.