How to Care for a Philodendron?

The philodendron (philodendron) is a climbing plant with large green heart-shaped leaves. These beautiful plants are easy to plant at home, and they also have air-purifying properties. The different Philodendron species have different physical characteristics. Both in style and in size and colour.

At this moment we know more than 480 recognized types of Philodendron. Some are climbers and can adorn entire walls, some are upright and can easily pass as miniature indoor trees.

information about philodendron

Philodendrons are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. There it is wonderfully humid and they live on the little light that falls between the leaves of the tall trees. To get enough light, many philodendrons grow and climb up the trees. They have aerial roots with which they cling to a tree and grow slowly towards the light. There are even species that never live on the ground, but sprout high up in the tree and remain there all their lives.

The word Philodendron comes from the Greek and is a combination of philo; 'to love' and dendron; 'tree'. So this plant loves the forest.

its characteristics

The philodendron is a champion plant for purifying the air. This is mainly due to the large leaves of the philodendron. The plant has additional stomata due to the large surface area of its leaves. The philodendron uses these stomata to convert CO2 into oxygen during the day. And that is always good, both for you and the environment.

The philodendron family are toxic. Therefore, it is advisable to keep pets and children away from it. This toxicity comes from calcium oxalate crystals. These toxins can cause irritation inside the mouth or even cause vomiting. If symptoms are severe, consult a doctor.

tips for caring for your philodendron

Before buying a philodendron, you should consider the following ideal growing conditions. It can be kept outdoors and indoors. We will give you from the basic care to all the necessary tips for keeping strelitzias indoors. Here we go!

location

It is best to place your philodendron in indirect sunlight in partial shade. Does your philodendron have brown edges or spots on its leaves? Then this is probably a sign of too much direct sunlight.

The philodendron prefers some space at home. So the plant can grow a lot, and it doesn't like to grow against walls or cupboards. Don't forget to turn the Philodendron! The plant grows towards the sun. If you don't rotate the plant, it will only grow on one side and that is exactly what you want to avoid.

the soil or substrate

Philodendrons like well-drained loamy soil, which is a mixture of sand, silt and a little clay. They prefer a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, which means they love an acidic substrate.

temperature

The ideal temperature for philodendrons is between 18 °C and 23 °C a. Temperatures below 13 °C should be avoided.

humidity

The humidity in the rainforests from which the philodendron originates is very high. This ensures, among other things, that the plants can survive in the treetops, without having roots that reach the ground. The humidity in our homes is often quite low, especially when we turn on the heating in winter.

watering

Philodendrons prefer a balanced humidity level, neither too wet nor too dry. Therefore, it is best to feel if the top layer of soil is still moist. If it is dry, you can water the plant. In general, it is best to water a philodendron once a week. In any case, it is better not to underwater than to overwater. Excessive watering can lead to root rot.

spraying its leaves

Due to its tropical origin, the banana plant needs relatively high humidity. You can spray its leaves regularly with water. It is best to use lime-free water or rainwater. Another thing the plant will thank you for is to put it outside during a hot summer shower. Rainwater contains a lot of nutrients.

water shortage

Does your philodendron have brown leaves? Brown leaves are a sign of too little water. Check the philodendron with more water and feel the potting medium regularly. Make sure that the potting soil does not dry out completely.

over-watering

Does your philodendron have yellow leaves? Yellow leaves are a sign that a philodendron has received too much water. Do not water it for a while until the potting soil has dried out, and then start again with small amounts.

fertiliser

The philodendron uses a lot of energy in spring for leaf growth. Therefore, the plant needs additional nutrients. You can provide nutrients by means of plant food. It is recommended to feed the plants once a week. From spring to autumn. After autumn and in winter it is best not to give any extra nutrition. In autumn, plant food can be harmful to the philodendron.

overpotting

In general we advise you to repot your philodendron every two years, and of course when the pot becomes too small. Repotting provides the plant with new nutrients and more space for root growth. The new aerated potting soil is also very good for watering. The best time for repotting is spring.

You can use potting compost or universal potting soil when transplanting a strelitzia. The soil contains enough basic nutrition to keep the plant in top form. However, during the growing period in spring and summer it is advisable to add some extra nutrition. You can also put hydrogranulate in the bottom of the pot to prevent the roots from getting waterlogged at the bottom of the pot.

propagation

We found a perfect article for the plant lover which would like to propagate his or her Philodendron houseplant. It describes everything you need to know for a perfect reproduction of your Phily!

possible pests and diseases

The philodendron is not prone to diseases and pests. Death flies and root rot can always occur, although this is usually due to careless care.

Like aphids, mites suck sap from the leaves. You can recognise spider mites by the spider webs on the leaves and the yellow spots on the leaf. The best way to control spider mites is biologically with other animals, such as predatory mites. It is also advisable to find out the cause, so that the mites can be prevented from growing next time. Spraying the plant daily can help, as mites do not like high humidity.

Keep in mind: if your plant is in good health, if it receives enough water and light and is not exposed to draughts, it is much less likely to suffer from pests.

buy philodendron

The Philodendron family is huge and there are also many different species that grow well indoors. They are also relatively easy to care for, a good family of plants to have at home. Do you have a favourite philodendron? We have a lot of philodendrons available for you in our online shop. Take a look at this top 3!

philodendron birkin white

¡Descubre esta Philodendron Birkin White! ¡Pídela ya en nuestra tienda online, llega fresca directamente del vivero, te la empaquetamos cuidadosamente y la tendrás en 4-5 días en tu casa!

• height: 80-95cm ↕
• pot: 21cm Ø
• amount: 1
• colour: green leaves with white stripes
• grown in Spain

philodendron imperial red

The second most wanted Philodendron is this Philodendron Imperial Red! ¡Cómpralo online con toda comodidad y nuestra garantía de calidad. y te la traemos a tu casa dentro de 1-3 días!

• height: 85-95cm ↕
• pot: 20cm Ø
• amount: 1
• colour: green and red leaves
• grown in Spain

philodendron hastatum

Otra opción es este Philodendron Hastatum! ¡Cómpralo online con toda comodidad y te la traemos a tu casa dentro de 5 días.!

• height: 65-70cm ↕
• pot: 19cm Ø
• amount: 1
• colour: green, silver and grey coloured leaves
• grown in the Netherlands