It is not uncommon for hundreds of species of philodendrons to be such popular houseplants. These types of plants are highly valued for the particular shape and size of their leaves, most of which are heart-shaped.
Moreover, the tropical philodendrons They are generally easy to maintain and give a different atmosphere to our home, filling empty spaces and providing an intense green that goes very well with the white colors of the walls and the wood tones of many pieces of furniture.
Among the gigantic list of philodendrons that can be purchased, there is an increasingly sought-after variety known as Philodendron gloriosum by its scientific name.
This plant native to Colombia is not considered a climbing epiphyte, the other species of this genus are. However, it is prized for its velvety heart-shaped foliage with striking white veins.
Part of the appeal of this plant is its low maintenancewhere the most important requirements are related to humidity.
As an additional tip before we get to the nitty-gritty, Philodendron gloriosum should be kept out of reach of pets and small children, as it’s toxic.
Contents
main care of Philodendron gloriosum
Like many other species of philodendrons and contrary to what one might think, they do not require much maintenance.
The most common is over-irrigation, which promotes the discoloration of its foliage and root rot (with a difficult solution).
However, this does not mean that you can neglect other aspects of support. Philodendron gloriosumin particular light intensity, temperature and humidity.
home lighting
For the health and size of the foliage of Philodendron gloriosumyou must place it in an environment with a lot of indirect light, but never in direct sunlight.
A west or east-facing window with morning sun and filtered afternoon light is usually perfect. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves and cause the plant to look dry.
On the contrary, low light conditions for Philodendron gloriosum leads to slow development and excessive stem elongation.
Temperature
A Philodendron gloriosium It does well in most rooms of your home, and it’s not uncommon to find these tropical plants in bathrooms if there’s enough natural light. Maintaining the house at an average temperature between 18 and 28º C will be the optimal conditions for its development.
Humidity
The ideal humidity for this philodendron is above 80%, as it is accustomed to shady environments and tropical jungles. However, a humidity above 50% will be enough for you Philodendron gloriosum grow optimally.
If your home environment is very dry, consider spraying the leaves every 2-3 days or installing a humidifier.
Photography: lyasolisblog.ieSubstrate type
Potting soils for species that require a lot of moisture are usually easy to find. Either way, be sure to find one that is loose and drains well to help prevent root rota fairly common phenomenon in inexperienced hands.
A standard potting soil usually consists of choosing a very porous material (pine bark, vermiculite, perlite) with a universal substrate or worm castings.
how to water Philodendron gloriosum
You Philodendron gloriosum It is somewhat sensitive to overwatering. And it is that root rot is one of the worst symptoms of this philodendron, something common if the drainage accumulates too much moisture or there are not enough holes to allow the excess of water to escape.
This philodendron is usually watered every 3 or 4 days, a small amount (1/6 of the volume of the pot) in spring and summer, and 1 watering per week in winter.
If you notice a lot of moisture before you do the next watering, wait another 24-48 hours.
Use of fertilizer
The use of a low dose liquid fertilizer during the growing months (spring and summer) is adequate to promote more vigorous and healthy foliage in this slow growing plant.
Look for an optimal 2-1-3 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and also consider providing micronutrients to maintain the original greenness of its leaves.
COMPO Green Plant Fertilizer for Indoor Plants, Balcony and Terrace, Liquid Fertilizer with Potassium and Iron, 500 ml
- Stronger green plants: Fertilizer with mineral nutrients and potassium and iron supplement for indoor green plants, balcony or terrace, Practical dispenser
- Healthy growth: supply of essential nutrients from the first use, Promotes root growth and optimizes plant resistance
- Easy to use: Clean and safe dosage according to steps I to III indicated on the cap (for 1 to 3 liters of water), Full cap for 5 liters of water, Application 1 x week (March to October), Application 1 x months (November to February)
- COMPO quality: raw materials selected according to the original COMPO recipe, Strict quality controls by independent laboratories and institutes, The right conditions for healthy plant growth
- Contents: 1 x COMPO Green Plant Fertilizer, Liquid Fertilizer, 500 ml
do you need pruning Philodendron gloriosum?
Periodic pruning is not necessary for this philodendron. Its only maintenance will be to remove unhealthy, brown or dead foliage. Thus, all the energy of the plant goes to the growth of new foliage.
Philodendron multiplication
Unlike other Philodendron species, this plant is best propagated by cuttings of vegetative rhizomes (the underground stem of this variety). The procedure is as follows:
- Using sharp scissors, find a suitable section of rhizome and separate the plant, making a cut with at least a few leaves growing from it.
- Allow the tip of the cutting to harden off for a few hours before planting the individual sections in potting soil.
- Wait about 2-4 weeks for roots to form on the cuttings. During this time, water occasionally to hydrate the substrate and promote root production.