HOME GROUNDS FACT SHEET Horticulture Center Cornell University Demonstration & Community Gardens at East Meadow Farm Cooperative Extension 832 Merrick Avenue East Meadow, NY 11554 Nassau County Phone: 516-565-5265 Philodendron Culture Light Philodendrons are popular foliage plants. They are used Grow in indirect sunlight. There are many types of as houseplants or may be part of an interior landscape philodendron that maintain themselves in low light in- planting in an office, lobby or shopping mall. The plants do tensity. Artificial light - a mixture of fluorescent and well as long as they are kept warm (65°F. minimum), incandescent - gives best results if natural light is not moderately moist, and out of direct sunlight. present. Based on a daily illumination of 16 hours, Members of the Arum family, philodendrons are some philodendrons can be maintained for at least 12 native to the West Indies and the tropical jungles of months receiving 25 to 50 footcandles. Central and South America. Most are vines with leaves Full sunlight causes a yellowing color in the leaves or varying from three inches to three feet in length, a sunburn spot. depending on the species. Some species are self- heading and require no support. Some popular species Philodendrons do best in a well-drained potting soil that contains organic matter. Philodendron cordatum - the most widely grown philodendron. Has Propagation heart-shaped leaves. Often grown Philodendrons can be propagated by tip and leaf bud in water or moss. Common name - cuttings. Air layering is used to reduce the overall Heartleaf Philodendron. height of “leggy” plants. Some commercial growers use seed for propagation of select varieties. Newer Philodendron scandens micans - varieties are propagated by tissue culture. Silky bronze, heart-shaped leaves that are reddish on the underside. Fertilization Very susceptible to cold. Leaves Fertilizers are available as powders, tablets, liquids or three inches long. Common name- pellets. All work equally well if manufacturer’s direc- Philodendron cordatum Velvet-leaf Philodendron. tions are followed. Apply fertilizer only to moist soil to prevent injury to the roots. It is safer to lightly fertilize more often than to apply one strong dose. Long-leaved types that require support on Plants growing in low light conditions require less bark or totem poles. fertilizer than actively growing plants. Some plants can Philodendron pertusum (Correctly live for a long period of time without supplemental known as Monstera deliciosa) - fertilization. Juvenile form has perforated A regular feeding program with a nitrogen fertilizer leaves that are irregularly shaped. increases the leaf size and makes a larger plant. Adult form has broad, thick leaves Philodendrons can be considered heavy feeders. Avoid with many perforations. Common fertilizing in the winter. name - Swiss Cheese plant. Watering Philodendron domesticum, formerly Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Never allow the called Philodendron hastatu- Arrow- potting mix to dry out. Ample water is one of the Monstera deliciosa shaped glossy leaves. Mature essential factors in keeping philodendrons growing leaves may be 22 inches long by 9 evenly with large uniform leaves. Philodendrons prefer inches wide. One of the best plants for the home with high humidity, 60 percent or more, poor growing conditions. Common name - Spadeleaf Make sure that all excess water drains. Overwatering Philodendron. causes root injury, which causes leaves to turn yellow and eventually fall off. A-1-11 DWM/ln reviewed RT 1/03 -continued- Building Strong and Vibrant New York Communities Cornell Cooperative Extension in Nassau County provides equal program and employment opportunities. Philodendron radiatum, formerly called Philodendron Problems dubium - Deeply lobed leaves. Older plants tend to be Small leaves - Plants need to be fertilized; soil not straggly. Has many air roots. moist enough, potting mixture is too hard and not thoroughly soaked; insufficient light; soil is constantly Philodendron bipennifolium, formerly called Philoden- too moist. dron panduriforme - Foliage resembles a violin. Leaves up to 20 inches long by 8 inches wide. An excellent Leaves turn brown - Soluble salts cause tip burn or house plant. Maintains leaves for an exceptionally long edges of leaves to turn brown. Salts may be flushed time. Good climber. Common name - Fiddle leaf. out by letting water run slowly through the pot for one hour. Browning of tip margins also may result from Philodendron bipennifolium ‘Mandaianum’ Glossy, red- drafts, overwatering, poor drainage, lack of water or dish-brown leaves resemble Philodendron domesticum. lack of fertilizer.

Large-leaved types Yellow leaves (excessive) and leaf drop - Plant is Philodendron melanochrysum, also known as Philo- over watered. Make sure the pot has drainage and the dendron andreanum - Long, dark, irridescent leaves. plant is not sitting in water. Too much or too little light Sensitive to cold and dry atmosphere. Common name and lack of fertilizer may be contributing factors. - Black Gold Philodendron. Gradual slowing of growth - Smaller leaves on plant Philodendron angustisectum, formerly known as Philo- often indicates a pot bound condition. Repot the plant. dendron elegans - Fern-like leaves, up to 20 inches This condition may result from insufficient water, fertilizer long and 16 inches wide. Few air roots. or light, or from poor aeration of roots.

Self-heading types - require no support Weak or yellowish color on leaves - If the plant appears healthy, the problem may be too much light, (generally propagated by seed). artificial or from the sun. Philodendron wendllandii - Long, narrow, glossy dark Small leaves and/or long leggy vines - Not enough green leaves that grow in a light. rosette. Makes an excellent specimen plant, as it is sym- Leaves don’t split - Philodendron pertusum metrical on all sides. Can (Monstera deliciosa) needs more light than other withstand extremes of tem- philodendrons or the leaves will not “split.” Leaves still peratures and humidity. Philodendron wendllandii in a juvenile stage generally are entire. Leaves on older plants sometimes return to the entire form from the “split or cut” form when growing conditions are Philodendron selloum - unfavorable or when the plant grows beyond its sup- Large, twice lobed, port. glossy leaves up to 40 inches long. Excellent Air Roots - Some philodendrons have many air roots. plant for unfavorable If objectionable, they can be removed. conditions and grows to tremendous size. Dust on Leaves - A gentle spray of clear water helps Too large for the aver- wash the dust off the leaves. Soapy water can be Philodendron selloum age home. This spe- used, if necessary. Keep soapy water off the soil. cies has four distinct leaf stage from seedling to adult. It may be kept in any stage for long periods of time by Plants growing beyond support pole - Older plants keeping it potbound. This species is resistant to cold eventually grow beyond the end of the supporting trellis and can stand 32°F. temperatures. or pole. If this happens, cut back the stem to force new branches to develop. The stem must be fastened to Philodendron squamiferum - Leaves resemble anchors. the support. Give the plant more light and decrease Excellent in dry rooms. Common name - Anchor the water until new growth starts. The tops of the philodendron. plants can also be air layered prior to reshaping the plant. Philodendron “Xanadu” - a smaller, more compact growing habit than P. selloum. Better suited for use in Some information was taken from Bulletin NE-53, pub- the home. This newcomer is propagated by tissue lished by the Cooperative Extension Services of the culture. Northeastern States.

A-1-11 DWM/ln reviewed RT 1/03