How to Grow a Philodendron Burle Marx | Complete Care Guide

Tropical plants are known for their lush, green foliage and exotic blooms. They make your home feel like a tropical paradise. However, many people are hesitant to grow tropical plants indoors because they believe that they are difficult to care for. While it is true that some tropical plants can be demanding, there are many that will happily grow as an indoor plant like the Philodendron Burle Marx plant.

The Philodendron Burle Marx is a beautiful climbing philodendron named after Roberto Burle Marx who was a landscape architect from Brazil. He was well known for his modern landscape designs and there are more than 50 plants named after him. He was also an avid Philodendron collector which is so cool! The Philodendron Burle Marx is a very easy going tropical plant that everyone should have in their houseplant collection.

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Philodendron Burle Marx Care

Lighting

The Burle Marx plant grows best in bright indirect sunlight. So place your plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct sunlight is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. Meaning in the US an east facing window is going to have less intense direct sunlight while a west facing window will be stronger sunlight.

Sitting your plant in a west facing window with direct sun could cause leaf burn. If you need to put this plant in a west facing window be sure to use a sheer curtain to dilute some of the sun rays. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights can be so helpful on darker winter days or in that dark corner that needs a plant.

Soil

Philodendrons are tropical plants that thrive in a well-draining soil mix. An amazing soil mix for philodendrons especially the Burle Marx should be made up of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. You can also add a small amount of compost to the mix to improve drainage and fertility.

Here is an easy recipe for a simple and effective Philodendron soil mix:

• 1 part peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1/4 part compost

To make your philodendron soil mix, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl or container. Mix the ingredients together well until they are evenly combined.

When potting your philodendron, be sure to use a pot with drainage holes. This will help to prevent the roots from sitting in excess water, which can lead to root rot. Fill the pot with the soil mix and then plant your philodendron in the center of the pot. Water the plant thoroughly and then place it in a bright, indirect light location.

You may need to repot your philodendron every 1-2 years, or when it outgrows its current pot. To repot, simply remove the plant from its current pot and place it in a new pot that is one size larger. Fill the new pot with fresh soil mix and water the plant thoroughly.

Water

It’s a good habit to check your plants weekly to see if they need water. Look at the soil, If it feels dry in top inch of soil, dig around to see if its dry two inches down. If it is, you can give it a full water where water comes out of the drainage hole in your pot. This Philodendron is also very forgiving should you forget to water or want to go longer between waterings.

During the winter months your plant may need less water depending on where you live in the world and what the environment is like inside your home. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is and how intense the light is for the plant. You’ll want to aim at keeping moist soil and not allowing the soil and roots to sit in water and become soggy or worse rotten.

For another easy to grow Philodendron check out the Monstera Deliciosa here!

Temperature and Humidity

Philodendron Burle Marx are tropical plants, which means they prefer high humidity and warm temperatures. Ideal temperatures for Burle Marx plants range from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit (18-27 degrees Celsius). Humidity should be at least 60%, but ideally higher if possible. If you live in a dry climate, you can increase the humidity around your Burle Marx plant by placing it on a pebble tray or by misting it regularly. You can also use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home. Adding in a humidifier is the best way to provide consistent humidity for your plants. To check the humidity level around your plant, you can use a hygrometer. Hygrometers are inexpensive and can be found at most garden stores and online.

If the temperature or humidity is too low, your Burle Marx plant may start to drop leaves or develop brown leaf tips. It is important to provide your plant with the ideal growing conditions to keep it healthy and thriving.

Top tips for providing your Burle Marx plant with the ideal humidity and temperature:

• Place your plant in a room with a south- or east-facing window. This will provide your plant with bright, indirect sunlight.
• Mist your plant regularly, especially if you live in a dry climate or in the winter months when you turn on heating in your home.
• Place your plant on a pebble tray. A pebble tray is a shallow dish filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it will increase the humidity around your plant.
• Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home. Humidifiers are your best bet to provide consistent humidity for your plants.

Here are the top humidifiers for houseplants on Amazon, based on customer reviews and ratings:

1. Levoit LV600HH Ultrasonic Humidifier

The Levoit LV600HH Ultrasonic Humidifier is a top-rated humidifier for houseplants. It has a large capacity tank that can hold up to 6 liters of water, and it can run for up to 60 hours on a single tank. It also has a built-in humidistat that allows you to set the desired humidity level in your home.

2. Honeywell HUL530B Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The Honeywell HUL530B Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is another popular choice for houseplants. It has a medium-sized tank that can hold up to 3 liters of water, and it can run for up to 24 hours on a single tank. It also has a quiet operation, so it won’t disturb you or your plants.

3. Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier

The Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier is a good choice for people who live in cold climates. It produces a warm mist that can help to relieve congestion and dry throats. It also has a built-in medicine cup that allows you to add essential oils or menthol to the mist.

4. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifer

The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifer is a small and portable humidifier that is perfect for small spaces. It has a small tank that can hold up to 1 liter of water, and it can run for up to 16 hours on a single tank. It also has a quiet operation and a sleek design.

5. Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a fun and stylish humidifier that is perfect for any home. It has a variety of different designs to choose from, and it is available in a variety of different colors. It also has a whisper-quiet operation and a large tank that can hold up to 1 gallon of water.

When choosing a humidifier for your houseplants, it is important to consider the size of your home, the humidity level you want to achieve, and the features that are important to you. The humidifiers listed above are all great options for houseplants, and they offer a variety of different features to choose from.

Fertilizer

The Burle Marx is a hungry plant like many other Philodendrons. It loves being fertilized. During the growing season which is spring and summer you can fertilize weekly or monthly depending on your schedule. During the winter months you can back off on full strength fertilizing because the plant may slow down growth. I like to fertilize using the weekly weakly method which means I dilute my fertilizer way down and feed my plants every time I water with that diluted mixture. 

The Weakly- Weekly Fertilizing Schedule. If you want to fertilize all year round this might be the schedule for you. With every watering add a small amount of fertilizer ( less than recommended in the instructions) to the water which will dilute down the fertilizer. Doing this is weakly fertilizing on a weekly basis.

The Burle Marx isn’t picky as far as what fertilizers you use, so use what works best for you. 

The best fertilizers for the Philodendron Burle Marx are balanced fertilizers that contain equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). A good NPK ratio for Philodendron Burle Marx is 10-10-10. You can use a liquid fertilizer or a granular fertilizer.

Here are some of the best fertilizers for Philodendron Burle Marx:

• Liquid fertilizers:
  • Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food
  • Jack’s Classic All-Purpose Fertilizer
  • Schultz’s Liquid Plant Food 10-10-10
• Granular fertilizers:
  • Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food
  • Miracle-Gro Slow Release Plant Food
  • Dr. Earth All Purpose Fertilizer

When fertilizing your Philodendron Burle Marx, be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer label. Do not over fertilize, as this can damage the plant.

Trellis Training Burle Marx

The Philodendron Burle Marx is a climbing plant. It produces aerial roots that cling to surfaces allowing the plant to climb. If given something to climb you will in fact grow a happier plant with bigger leaves.

How To Grow Philodendron Burle Marx on a trellis

Tools

• A Philodendron Burle Marx plant
• A trellis
• Moss poles or other supports
• Plant ties or garden twine
• Potting mix

Instructions:

1. Choose a trellis that is the right size for your plant. The trellis should be tall enough to support your plant as it grows, and wide enough to accommodate the plant’s foliage.
2. Place the trellis in a pot that is large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system. Fill the pot with potting mix.
3. Plant the Philodendron Burle Marx in the pot, and secure it to the trellis with plant ties or garden twine.
4. Use moss poles or other supports to guide the plant up the trellis.
5. Mist your trellis to encourage your plant to produce aerial roots.

Common Issues with the Philodendron Burle Marx 

Spider mites: Spider mites are tiny, web-spinning pests that can cause yellow leaves or brown leaves. To get rid of spider mites, you can spray your plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can also increase the humidity around your plant, as spider mites prefer dry conditions.

Mealybugs: Mealybugs are small, cottony pests that can suck the sap out of your Philodendron Burle Marx. To get rid of mealybugs, you can wipe them off your plant with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. You can also spray your plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Aphids: Aphids are small, green pests that can cluster on the leaves and stems of your Philodendron Burle Marx. To get rid of aphids, you can spray your plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can also release ladybugs into your home, as they are natural predators of aphids.

Scale: Scale are small, armored pests that can attach themselves to the leaves and stems of your Philodendron Burle Marx. To get rid of scale, you can scrape them off your plant with a fingernail or a toothbrush. You can also apply a horticultural oil to your plant.

Thrips: Thrips are tiny, flying pests that can cause the leaves of your Philodendron Burle Marx to turn brown and speckled. To get rid of thrips, you can spray your plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. You can also place sticky traps around your plant to trap the thrips.

If you notice any pests on your Philodendron Burle Marx, it is important to take action immediately. If the pests are not treated, they can damage your plant and kill it.

Here are some additional tips for preventing pest infestations:

• Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests.
• Quarantine new plants for a few weeks before introducing them to your other plants.
• Avoid overwatering your plants, as this can create a favorable environment for pests.
• Keep your plants healthy and well-fertilized. Healthy plants are less susceptible to pest infestations.

Propagation

The Philodendron Burle Marx can be propagated easily from stem cuttings. 

Here are the steps on how to propagate Philodendron Burle Marx:

1. Choose a healthy stem cutting from a mature Philodendron Burle Marx plant. The cutting should be at least 6 inches long and have at least two nodes.
2. Make a clean cut at the base of the cutting, just below a node.
3. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
4. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone. Rooting hormone is not required, but it can help the cutting to root more quickly.
5. Plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining potting mix. Water the cutting thoroughly.
6. Place the pot in a warm, humid location. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
7. Roots should form within 4-6 weeks. Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a larger pot.

If you don’t want to root your cutting in soil you can root it in water. Follow the same steps above but instead of putting your cutting in soil you put it in a jar or cup of water. Place your cutting in indirect sunlight and wait for roots to emerge and grow to about an inch long. At that point you can pot up your cutting into a well draining soil mix. You will start to see new growth on the plant after a few weeks to a month. The Burle Marx really is a low-maintenance plan

Propagate Philodendron Burle Marx by air layering:

Tools:

•  A sharp knife or shears
• Sphagnum moss

• Plastic wrap
• A rubber band or zip tie

How to Air Layer Propagate:

1. Choose a healthy stem on your Philodendron Burle Marx plant that is at least 6 inches long and has at least two nodes.
2. Make a clean cut about halfway through the stem, just below a node.
3. Gently pry the cut end of the stem open slightly.
4. Insert a small amount of sphagnum moss into the cut.
5. Wrap the sphagnum moss with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band or zip tie.
6. Water the sphagnum moss regularly to keep it moist.
7. Roots should form within 4-6 weeks.
8. Once the roots are at least 2 inches long, you can cut the stem below the roots and transplant the new plant into a pot with well-draining potting mix.

Tips for propagating Philodendron Burle Marx:

• Use clean sharp knife or shears to make the cut. This will help to prevent the stem from being crushed.
• Make the cut at a 45-degree angle. This will increase the surface area of the stem and help it to root more quickly.
• Allow the cut end of the stem to callous over for a few minutes before planting it. This will help to prevent the stem from rotting.
• Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Overwatering is the leading cause of death for cuttings.
• Be patient. It may take several weeks for the cutting to root.

Once your Philodendron Burle Marx cutting has rooted, you can care for it like any other Philodendron Burle Marx plant. Water regularly, fertilize during the growing season, and provide bright, indirect light

How to Grow your Philodendron Burle Marx in your Garden

To grow a Philodendron Burle Marx in your garden, follow these steps:

1. Choose a spot in your garden that receives bright, indirect light. Philodendron Burle Marx is a tropical plant, so it needs a warm environment. It can also tolerate partial shade, but it will grow best in bright, indirect light. 
2. Amend the soil in the chosen spot with compost or other organic matter like worm castings. This will help to improve drainage and fertility.
3. Plant the Philodendron Burle Marx in the ground, making sure that the roots are well-spread out.
4. Water the plant in well. Deep watering is what we call it.
5. Mulch around the plant with compost or bark mulch. This will help to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
6. Give your plants a trellis to climb otherwise it will climb over the garden bed
7. Prune when needed to control growth and to maintain a desired shape

Here are some additional tips for growing Philodendron Burle Marx in your garden:

• Fertilize the plant every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. 
• Water the plant regularly, but be careful not to overwater it. Philodendron Burle Marx is a drought-tolerant plant, but it will grow best if the soil is moist but not soggy.
• Protect the plant from frost and cold weather. Philodendron Burle Marx is a tropical plant and cannot tolerate cold weather. If you live in a cold climate, you may need to bring the plant indoors during the winter. If you live in a warm climate you can leave your plant in ground.

Here are some additional tips for safety:

• Wear gloves when handling the plant, as the sap can be irritating.
• Keep the plant out of reach of children and pets, as the leaves can be poisonous if ingested.
• Be careful not to overwater the plant, as this can lead to root rot.

Toxicity 

Philodendron Burle Marx is toxic to pets. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals throughout the plant. These crystals can cause irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips. Other symptoms include excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

If you think your pet has eaten any portion of this plant, contact the veterinarian or animal poison control immediately.

Here are some tips to prevent your pet from eating philodendron plants:

• Keep philodendron plants out of reach of your pet.
• Place philodendron plants on high shelves or in hanging baskets.
• Train your pet not to chew on plants.
• If you see your pet chewing on a philodendron plant, remove the plant from their mouth immediately and contact your veterinarian.

It is important to note that all parts of the philodendron plant are toxic to pets, including the leaves, stems, and roots. If you have a pet, it is best to avoid having philodendron plants in your home.

BONUS

Here are some easy-to-grow tropical plants for indoors:

• Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Snake plants are very tolerant of low light and dry air. They are also very low-maintenance and require very little care.
• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is another very low-maintenance tropical plant. It is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, including low light.
• ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): ZZ plants are very tolerant of low light and dry air. They are also very drought-tolerant and can go for weeks without water.
• Rubber plant (Ficus elastica): Rubber plants are very tolerant of low light and dry air. They are also very easy to care for.
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Peace lilies are known for their beautiful white blooms. They are relatively easy to care for, but they do require a bit more light than some other tropical plants.
• Calathea: Calatheas are known for their colorful and intricate foliage. They are a bit more demanding than some other tropical plants, but they are worth the effort.

The Philodendron Burle Marx is a great addition to any houseplant collection and is also perfect for new plant parents. It’s fast growing, very forgiving and beautiful! Add this plant to your collection today!

Happy Gardening