Your Guide To: Philodendron
Everything you need to know to care for this low-key houseplant.
Easy, fast-growing, and flexible in how you display them, philodendrons are an ideal starter plant. Perfect for all levels of experience and quick to make you fall in love with a leafy, growing design aesthetic, philodendrons are just the beginning of an exciting journey. Popular varieties include birkin, lemon-lime, and moonlight philodendron, as well as heartleaf, pink princess, brasil, and velvet leaf. Exuding a lively, creative spirit, this easy-peasy plant adds a lot to any room with its glossy leaves that are both perky and playful, but also hard at work helping filter the air.
How to Keep a Philodendron Happy
Philodendrons will thrive in your home given the right conditions. They are ideal houseplants that are easy to care for and perfect for new gardeners because they let you know if they’re not getting what they need.
How Much Lighting Does a Philodendron Need?
In the wild, philodendrons grow under a tropical canopy where they enjoy dappled — not direct — sunlight. You can replicate that by finding a spot where your plant can get indirect light. In a bright, sunny room, find a spot that’s away from the windows, or set it on the sill of a window that faces east or west.
If your philodendron doesn’t seem to be getting enough light, you can add a fluorescent lamp or even a grow light to its environment to help.
How Do I know When To Water My Philodendron?
Philodendrons like their soil to be pretty balanced between moist and dry. They do best when you let them dry out a bit between waterings. Stick your finger in the soil to test. If the top inch of soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to water. If you’d rather take the guesswork (and your finger) out of it, use a plant moisture indicator from our shop.
To water, use a small container or watering can to pour water out slowly, directly onto the soil, moving in a clockwise motion to evenly water the plant’s roots. Philodendron plants do best in pots with trays or saucers so you can dump extra water and avoid root rot.
How Do I Use Plant Food for My Philodendron?
Plant food is an important part of fostering healthy growth and new leaves as your plant settles into its new digs. Be sure to follow the directions on the package based on the size of your plant and time of year. In fall and winter your plant will grow more slowly, so you don’t need to feed it as often. Yes, even though your plant lives inside, it still experiences the seasons.
What Is a Philodendron's Ideal Environment?
Philodendrons love humidity. They will do fine in basic humidity, but absorbing even more water from the air encourages them to grow larger leaves. Misting your philodendron a few times a week is beneficial. Running a humidifier in the same room is another way to make this tropical plant happy.
For the best growth, keep the average room temperature in your home between 70 and 80 degrees during the day. It can handle temps as low as 55 degrees at night, but keep it out of cold drafts.
How Do I Prune and Maintain My Philodendron?
Your Greendigs philodendron is fairly low-maintenance. You may want to prune to maintain the size. Any healthy tips you prune could be used for propagation. Also, trim off any leaves that are dead or discolored, or that appear damaged or diseased. Use a pair of pruning shears to prevent tearing or bruising the stems.
Each time you water your philodendron, rotate the container a quarter turn. This way you’ll make sure it gets the same amount of light on all sides. Our plant trivet set makes this easy and stylish, too.
How to Address Common Philodendron Issues
- If normally green leaves turn yellow on top, your philodendron may be overwatered. If this happens, stop watering and make sure you put it in a sunny spot where it can dry quickly.
- Too much direct sunlight will create burns on your plant, so move it to a spot with milder light.
- If leaves turn brown and crispy, your philodendron may need more humidity.
What to Do If You Still Have Questions
If your philodendron doesn’t seem to feel at home in your space, we’re here to help. Chat live with a Greendigs representative on our website or shoot us an email at [email protected].