Are you looking to add a tropical vibe to your house by adding a new plant? If that is the case, then Philodendron is the best fit. Philodendron is a flowering plant of the Araceae plant family, the second largest family of plants. This beautiful plant has extensive sparkling leaves that add to the house’s beauty. The fact that philodendron is a low-maintenance plant and can be grown and managed easily makes it a popular house plant. This blog provides a complete guide on how to grow Philodendron indoors, tips on taking care of philodendrons, and much more. So, without further delay, let’s dig in!
Different Types of Philodendrons
As mentioned before, philodendron comes from the second largest plant family. It has various climbing and upright varieties.
Climbing Philodendrons:
These varieties have small heart shaped leaves and can climb vertically with rootlets present on the stems.
- Silver Cloud Philodendron:
- Heartleaf Philodendron
- Brasil Philodendron
- Oak Leaf Philodendron
- Philodendron Pink Princess
- Fiddle Leaf Philodendron
Upright Philodendrons:
These varieties have large glossy leaves and thick stems. The leaves can stand upright and grow quite big
- Winterbourn Philodendron
- Philodendron White Wave
- Philodendron Green Congo
- Philodendron Moonlight
- Spadeleaf philodendron
- Philodendron Speciosum
Also Read: Different Philodendron Varieties That Are Common As Houseplants
How to Plant Philodendrons Indoors?
Growing a philodendron at home is an easy task. It does not require any expertise in gardening. You can plant a philodendron at home, even if you are a beginner.
There are many ways to produce philodendrons at home, but the most preferred methods are growing by cutting and dividing. So, let’s discuss them in detail!
From Cuttings
The easiest method is to grow a philodendron by taking cuttings from a pre-existing plant. You should probably start with this method if you are a beginner. To raise a philodendron from this method, you will need the following items:
- A pot of your choice
- Sharp knife or scissors
- A container
- Pot mixing
Once you have gathered the items mentioned earlier, it’s time to start the process.
Step 1: Using your sharp knife or scissors, start taking cuttings 3-4 inches from the stem of the plant. Make sure that you take the cuttings directly from the leaf node. You can also cut a more significant portion from the branch and divide it into smaller sections.
Step 2: After taking the cuttings, it’s time to place them in water. For this purpose, you will need a container filled with water.
Step 3: Add enough water so the cuttings can easily immerse in it almost halfway.
Step 4: The cuttings will stay in the container till the roots emerge.
Step 5: Don’t forget to change the container’s water after a couple of days.
Step 6: Once the roots come out, you can transfer them to the pot filled with pot mixings.
Step 7: Ensure to place the cuttings at a temperature of around 75-85 Fahrenheit, and they should get bright but indirect sunlight.
WARNING!!! An important thing to remember is that, like some other plants, philodendron also carries a poisonous substance called calcium oxalate. Make sure that you do not come in contact with this while cutting. It can cause a burning sensation in the throat and can also cause nausea or difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Also Read: Philodendron Poisoning Treatment in Babies and Pets
From Division
Another easy method to propagate a philodendron is the division method. For this purpose, you will need the following:
- A sharp knife
- A container
Step 1: Select a portion from where you want to divide and remove the soil from the top of that section. This step will help you to reach the root system of the plant.
Step 2: Using the sharp, cut the area with at least two shoots.
Step 3: After that, take out the roots from the soil or pot-mixing without causing any damage to the shoots.
Step 4: Place them in the container.
CAUTION!!! You can remove the plant from the pot if you find the earlier step difficult.
Be careful! Because you do not want to ruin the plant’s root system.
Tips for Growing Philodendron Indoors
As mentioned before, philodendron is a low-maintenance plant and can grow indoors quickly. It does not require much of your time and attention. But if you give a little bit of your time to this lovely plant, it can grow more beautifully. So here are some tips on how to grow Philodendron indoors:p
Temperature
Philodendron is a tropical plant requiring a higher temperature and more humid air. The optimal temperature for this plant ranges from 75-85 Fahrenheit. A temperature below this range can cause harm to the plant.
Lighting
Sunlight is another crucial factor for plant growth. In the case of philodendron, find a spot near an east-facing window. It’s because philodendron requires bright sunlight but does not need direct sunlight. Too much sunlight exposure can make the leaves burn or turn them brown.
Soil
Philodendron requires moist and well-draining soil to grow. But, the soil should not be waterlogged or, in other words, don’t over-water the plant. It can get in the way of taking nutrients from the ground.
Watch Out for the Pests
Unfortunately, philodendrons can become prey to common bugs like spider mites, mealy bugs, etc. To keep these bugs away from the plant, ensure the tidiness of the plant, or you can also use neem oil and spray it over the leaves.
Fertilizer
You can also use a liquid fertilizer having macronutrients, like nitrogen, for better growth of Philodendron. It will give the plant enough nutrients to grow and stay healthy.
Pruning
Last but not least, do not forget to prune your Philodendron, as it will help it to grow more new leaves. You can trim the dead leaves or snip off the stems once in 2-3 months.
Also Read: Is Philodendron a Good Indoor Plant?
Issues With Philodendron
While growing a philodendron, you may observe some issues or problems with the plants. These issues can arise from over-watering, cold weather, or too much sunlight. Let’s have a look at these to gain a better perspective on how to grow Philodendron indoors:
- Yellow leaves are one of the most common issues with a Philodendron. It can happen either because of cold weather or too much sunlight exposure.
- Your plant can also fall prey to root rot. To prevent that, keep checking if the soil smells terrible. If it does and you notice any mushy part in the roots, immediately cut them off before it ruins the whole plant
- If philodendron leaves turn brown, it’s a sign that you are watering them with much cold water. To avoid that, stop using cold water. Or it can also indicate that your plant needs more humidity.
Final Thoughts
Growing and caring for houseplants like philodendra is fun and takes your stress away. The view of lush green leaves soothes the eyes and soul. So far, this article has guided you on How to Grow Philodendron Indoors?
The tips and methods mentioned in this article will help you develop one quickly, even if it is your first time. Now it is your turn to grow a philodendron because nothing can be better than growing and taking care of a plant!
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