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Philodendron Varieties YOU need to grow

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Philodendrons are a popular genus of tropical plants. They are in every store and sold by every grower! They are pretty easy to grow and can really thrive as houseplants. They are known for their large, glossy leaves that come in a variety of shapes and colors. Philodendrons make great plants for newbie plant parents and many do well in lower light situation. What’s not to love about Philodendrons?!

Here are some Philodendron Varieties you need to grow!

philodendron plants in close up shot
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may receive a small commision to help keep me gardening.

Here are the 10 most popular Philodendrons:

  1. Selloum (Swiss Cheese Plant) – This plant has large, heart-shaped leaves with holes in the center. It is a fast grower and can reach up to 6 feet tall.
  2. Bipinnatifidum (Split-Leaf Philodendron) – This plant has large, lobed leaves that are arranged in a fan-like shape. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 10 feet tall.
  3. Xanadu (Oxycardium) – This plant has large, glossy leaves that are arranged in a rosette shape. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 6 feet tall.
  4. Cordatum (Heartleaf Philodendron) – This plant has heart-shaped leaves that are green with white or yellow variegation. It is a fast grower and can reach up to 3 feet tall.
  5. Micans (Velvet Leaf Philodendron) – This plant has velvety, heart-shaped leaves that are green with red or pink undersides. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 3 feet tall.
  6. Scandens (Heartleaf Philodendron) – This plant is a vining philodendron that has heart-shaped leaves. It is a fast grower and can reach up to 6 feet long.
  7. Erubescens (Red Emerald Philodendron) – This plant has dark green leaves with red stems and petioles. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 3 feet tall.
  8. Pink princess – This plant has dark green leaves with pink variegation. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 3 feet tall.
  9. Gloriosum – This plant has dark green leaves with velvety texture. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 3 feet tall.
  10. Hastatum (Silver Sword Philodendron) – This plant has long, sword-shaped leaves with silver variegation. It is a slow grower and can reach up to 6 feet tall.

These are just a few of the many popular philodendrons. When choosing a philodendron, it is important to consider the amount of light that the plant will receive and the size of the plant when it’s mature.

Learn how to properly water your houseplants here!

water droplets on green leaf
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How to Propagate Philodendron

Philodendrons are one of the easiest houseplants to propagate. You can propagate them by stem cuttings in water or soil.

To propagate philodendron in water:

  1. Choose a healthy stem with at least two leaves.
  2. Cut the stem just below a node, which is the point where a leaf or aerial root is attached.
  3. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving 2-3 leaves at the top of the cutting.
  4. Place the cutting in a jar of clean water so that the nodes are submerged.
  5. Change the water every few days and keep the jar in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight.
  6. Roots should start to form in a few weeks. Once the roots are at least 2 inches long, you can plant the cutting in soil.

To propagate philodendron in soil:

  1. Prepare a pot with well-draining potting mix.
  2. Make a hole in the soil that is slightly larger than the cutting.
  3. Place the cutting in the hole and gently press the soil around it.
  4. Water the soil well.
  5. Place the pot in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight.
  6. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  7. Roots should start to form in a few weeks.

Here are some tips for propagating philodendron:

  • Use a sharp, clean knife or shears to make the cuts.
  • Avoid using leaves that are old, damaged, or diseased.
  • Keep the cuttings out of direct sunlight.
  • Be patient! It can take a few weeks for roots to form.
Philodendron varieties. Philodendron Mc dowell
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Top 5 rare philodendrons:

  1. Philodendron verrucosum This philodendron is known for its velvety, green leaves with raised bumps. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 6 feet tall. It is native to the rainforests of South America.
  2. Philodendron melanochrysum This philodendron is prized for its dark green leaves with a metallic sheen. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 10 feet tall. It is native to the rainforests of Ecuador.
  3. Philodendron hastatum silver This philodendron is known for its silvery-green leaves with a dark green midrib. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It is native to the rainforests of Brazil.
  4. Philodendron spiritu sancti This philodendron is a rare and unusual plant with heart-shaped leaves that are variegated with white, pink, and cream. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It is native to the rainforests of Colombia.
  5. Philodendron gloriosum This philodendron is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with a dark green center and a silvery-green margin. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 6 feet tall. It is native to the rainforests of Peru.

These are just a few of the many rare philodendrons that are available. If you are looking for a unique and special plant to add to your collection, one of these rare philodendrons may be the perfect choice for you.

Please note that these plants can be expensive and difficult to find. If you are considering purchasing one, it is important to do your research and find a reputable seller.

Quick tips for caring for philodendrons:

  • Place your philodendron in a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight.
  • Water your philodendron regularly, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
  • Fertilize your philodendron every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Mist your philodendron regularly to increase humidity levels.
  • Repot your philodendron as needed into a pot that is one size larger when the roots begin to grow outside of the pot.

If you keep your philodendron happy they will boom with growth and get so big.

Happy Gardening!

How to Grow the Philodendron Pink Princess Easy!

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The once hard to find Pink Princess is a self heading philodendron native to Columbia and thanks to the big plant companies is now available all over! It’s know for its heart shaped leaves with pink variegation!

Pink Princess Philodendron

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If you haven’t heard by now, the Philodendron Pink Princess is and has been one of the most sought after Philodendrons. It has been for a few years now. It was once extremely hard to buy for a reasonable price or find locally. Many houseplant enthusiast paying hundreds of dollars just to have a tiny cutting of this princess. Now a days the Princess can be found at your big box stores for less than $30 which makes her more accessible to the masses. So now that you’ve snagged this beauty it’s time to learn how to take care of her!

Philodendron Pink Princess | What pot to use?

The Pink Princess will grow well in any pot that has a drainage hole. All materials are fine from ceramic to wood just as long as your pot has a way for water to drain. When repotting your plant is ready to be repotted choose a pot that is at least two sizes bigger than the current pot to allow for more growth.

When and how much to water?

When watering your plant you will want to wait until the top two to three inches of soil have dried out. Then either water your plant in place with a drip tray underneath or take your plant to the sink and allow water to run through until it is coming out of the bottom of the drainage hole.

How often you water your plant will depend on how quickly the soil dries up. Philodendrons can handle a full soil dry out without dying which makes them great plants for beginners. However allowing a plant to fully dry out isn’t ideal and can be very stressful for your plants.

If you are a forgetful gardener then set an alarm to check on your plants once or twice a week.

What soil should I plant my Philodendron in?

When picking soil for the Philodendron Pink Princess I find that she does fine in a well draining soil. So here’s my personal mix:

2 Parts Potting mix ( I like ProMix )

1 Part Fine Orchid Bark

1 Part Perlite

1 Scoop Organic Granular ( Measure per package instructions)

This mix is what keeps my Pink Princess happy. Her roots don’t sit in water for a long time and there’s enough air flow for healthy growth.

Best Lighting for Philodendron?

Putting your Philodendron Pink Princess in the right light is key to good growth and variegation. The thought is the more light you give your plant the more variegation your plant will have. So with this theory your best bet is to put your plant in bright indirect light. This plant should not be placed in direct lighting. Direct light is very strong and can burn the leaves of your plant. They also grow very well under grow lights so if you are lacking light in your home grow lights might be the answer!

Trellis or Pole?

You can use either but you’ll eventually need one! This plant will get taller and heavier as it grows and if you don’t provide it with some support it can flop and break.

Climbing plants like the Pink Princess produce aerial roots that can attach to just about any surface so choose a climbing material that is easy for you to maintain but also beneficial to your plant

Propagation

Philos are pretty good about making offsets and/or baby plants all on it’s own. You can separate these baby plants from the parent and plant them into their own pots.

Depending on where you live you won’t likely get your plant to flower, get pollinated and produce seed so most people propagate by division or cuttings.

You can chop your plant to make cuttings and either put them in a moist substrate or water to which your plant will easily root.

Fertilizing

The Philodendron Pink Princess does well with an organic fertilizer. A good fertilizing schedule is the weekly weakly, which means you fertilize weekly with a very watered down dose of fertilizer. It’s a good way keep your plants fed and healthy all year round.

Humidity

Like many Philodendrons the Pink Princess is tolerant of regular house humidity. If you provide extra humidity your plant will be happier however your plant may grow just as well without the added moisture. What’s most important is keeping your plant properly watered.

Philodendron Pink Princess Tips and Tricks

If your plant is struggling and you are unsure of why here is my goto checklist:

Is there a pest issue? Pest can literally suck the life out of your plants so that is the first thing you should check for. To treat any pest issue you will need to do research and buy or make the right product for the right pest. Pest treatments if not followed correctly can actually harm and cause more stress to your plant and some may even be harmful to you or your pets if used incorrectly.

Has your plant been watered recently? Philodendron are pretty forgiving when it comes to not being watered regularly but If it has been too long your plant will wither and droop.

Is your plant Root Bound? Your plant is root bound when you pull it out of the pot and all you can see are roots wrapped in the shape of the pot. Plants can tolerate being root bound for a little bit but it does slow down growth and vigour. When your plant is root bound the soil that’s left dries up quickly so you’ll notice that your needed to water it more often. Before you repot your plant into fresh soil try to unravel the root ball to allow those roots to grow into the fresh soil.

Is there too little or too much light? Lack of light can cause stress to your plant and too much light can cause stress to your plant. If your unsure move your plant into different lighting situations to see where it’s happiest.

The Philodendron Pink Princess is a pretty easy going, gorgeous houseplant to have in your collection and if your a lover of pink than this plant is for you!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow a Giant Philodendron Selloum

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The Philodendron Selloum is an easy going philodendron. This plant in the right conditions can get BIG! Though this plant has been reclassified as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum that is a mouthful to say so we will call this plant Philodendron Selloum for this blog post.

philodendron Selloum

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Light

Philodendron Selloum does best in bright light. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. Meaning and east facing window is going to have less intense direct sun while a west facing window will be stronger light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful on darker winter days and in that dark areas of the house that need a plant.

Water

It’s a good habit to check your Selloum weekly to see if it needs water during the spring and summer. If the soil looks dry, dig around to see if its dry an inch or two down. If it is, you can give it some water. This Philodendron is also very forgiving should you forget to water or want to go longer between waterings like during winter.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is as opposed to how long its been since I watered it last.

For winter houseplant care tips read this!

Philodendron Selloum

Humidity

Normal home humidity seems to work just fine for the Philodendron Selloum and many other philodendrons but adding in extra humidity doesn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity in your home. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage.

Soil

Philodendrons love a well draining soil mix. Take a bag of potting soil and combine it with Orchid Bark and Perlite. That will give you the perfect well draining mix that will keep your Selloum happy.

Fertilizing

This Plant loves to be fed during the growing season and isn’t particular about what fertilizer you use. Organic fertilizer tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

Philodendron Selloum aerial roots

Extras

The Selloum produces aerial roots. The aerial roots can be tucked into the soil or left to cascade across the floor. They can also be cut off if not found aesthetically pleasing or used as a way for propagation.

The Philodendron Selloum is an amazing houseplant. It can grow very large if you provide the proper care. Be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

Monstera Deliciosa Growing Roots outside the pot?

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The Monstera Deliciosa Vine is an amazing plant. Many people don’t realize at first that this is a vining plant that loves to climb. In its juvenile form the monstera is this sweet little plant with heart shaped leaves that grows in a perfect little round-ish shape. When it starts to age you’ll get your first leaf with fenestrations. Then as it gets a little older you’ll start seeing root nodes begin to grow. Those roots are called aerial roots and they are wonderful!

green leaf plant
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Aerial roots are roots that grow above ground. Aerial roots on the Monstera Deliciosa are awesome because they help the monstera climb surfaces. They help stabilize the plant as its growing up a tree or say a moss pole. Monsteras when given a place to climb will grow bigger leaves with more fenestrations.

green leaves of a swish cheese plant
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For a full Monstera Deliciosa Care Guide Click Here

Aerial roots can take in moisture and in the houseplant community are used when propagating. When making a cutting you will want an aerial root or two to get the plant to root faster.

monstera deliciosa planed in vase arranged on table near laptop in bedroom
Photo by Tiia Pakk on Pexels.com

There are many who love the look of aerial roots even when they begin to drag on the ground but if this bothers you It will not harm the plant to cut them back. If they get too long and in the way it’s probably in your best interest to give them a snip snip.

Whether you like them or not aerial roots are really cool and are part of the Monstera. Them growing long is normal and should be enjoyed along with the other amazing characteristics of this plant.

Happy Gardening!

Ciearra

Philodendron Micans Easy Care Tips

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The Philodendron Micans is a beautiful velvety climbing vine. Its velvety leaves are hard to resist and glitter when the sun hits them. The philodendron Micans is not a difficult plant to grow, just like other Philodendrons it can be very easy going.

Philodendron Micans
Philodendron Micans

The Micans can handle pretty dim conditions within the home. However they thrive in bright indirect light and prefer that type of lighting. A window with east facing light will suffice.

When this gorgeous plant is thirsty it will tell you by curling its leaves. Should you see curled leaves or dry tips you know it’s been too long and you need to give it a full drink.

Because this is a plant that climbs in the wild, giving it a moss pole to climb will result in a happier plant with larger leaves. It’s still beautiful if you allow it to trail, it’s all a matter of preference.

Philodendron Micans
Philodendron Micans

Philodendrons enjoy being fertilized. I water my philo’s with diluted fish emulsion once every few weeks and they grow like crazy!

Philodendrons thrive in a potting soil mix that holds moisture but also has bark chunks or perlite for added drainage. I typically use a potting soil mix and add orchid bark to add drainage.

Philodendron Micans is a very easy going houseplant that is easy to take care of. It shines in the sun, what more could you ask for in a plant?

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

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