5 Things You Should Know About Philodendrons | Greenstreet Gardens
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5 Things You Should Know About Philodendrons

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Philodendrons are fantastic houseplants. They grow fast, have beautiful foliage, and they’re very resilient and easy to care for.  Here are 5 things you should know about philodendrons and some care tips to help you keep yours happy!

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5 Facts About Philodendrons

Philodendrons are native to tropical parts of America, though they can now be found growing wild in Australia, Pacific Islands, Africa, and Asia, where they were introduced.  

  1. There are over 400 species worldwide, and in the wild, they more commonly grow as epiphytes or semi-epiphytes.
  2. Philodendrons are a fast-growing houseplant, so if you have some space, and love the excitement of seeing new leaves all the time, then philodendrons are perfect for you.
  3. Philodendrons contain oxalates, which, when consumed in very large quantities, can make humans and pets sick, so prevent small children and pets from chewing on them. 
  4. They are pretty easy to propagate; all you need is a piece of stem with a growth node. 
  5. When in the ideal environment, they can live for several decades, and if you have a vining type, they can get really long. A houseplant owner in Massachusetts had their philodendron grow vines over 1100 feet long! 

Philodendron Care Tips

Philodendrons are very low-maintenance plants. They’ll happily live in most rooms of your home as long as they get an adequate amount of light, though too much sun isn’t good. These plants will survive a surprising amount of neglect, so if you’re busy and forget to water sometimes or you’re away for a few days, your philodendrons will survive. 

  1. Philodendrons prefer bright but indirect light. They will enjoy dappled sunshine for a little while in the morning or evening, but direct midday sun can burn their leaves. Keep an eye on the light your philodendron gets as the season’s change. If there are too many hours of direct sun, move the plant back away from the window.
  2. These easy-going plants don’t mind being a bit rootbound. You’ll know they need to be repotted when you start to see roots sticking out of the top of the soil. 
  3. Because philodendrons often have fairly large leaves, they can collect quite a bit of dust. You should wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks so they can keep photosynthesizing properly. 
  4. Philodendrons can go a surprisingly long time without water, but ideally, you should water them well once the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. 

 

While there are not many specific pest problems, if you see signs of pests on other houseplants, it’s a good idea to check your philodendrons. Their long vines and abundant leaves make lots of nooks and crannies for pests to hide.

Do I Really Have a Philodendron?

Philodendrons and pothos plants are technically part of the same plant family, Araceae, but they belong to different genera. Unfortunately, telling them apart can be pretty challenging since many philodendrons and pothos have similar growth habits and leaf shapes.

  1. Philodendron leaves are thinner, softer, and have a more distinct heart shape. Pothos leaves are thicker and waxier.
  2. Philodendrons may put out several smaller aerial roots at a node; pothos will put out only one thick aerial root. 
  3. The leaf stem or petiole on philodendron, will be totally round; on a pothos; it will be slightly indented where it connects to the main vine. 
  4. Philodendron leaves emerge from a protective sheath that will dry out and eventually fall off; pothos do not have these sheathes. 

Monstera deliciosa (AKA the Swiss cheese plant) and split-leaf philodendron are often confused for each other, and it’s even possible that a monstera might be labeled as a philodendron but they are completely different plants. 

There are so many gorgeous philodendrons out there, so why not add one to your houseplant collection today? Stop by any of our Greenstreet Garden Center locations in Alexandria or Lothian, and see which ones we have in stock. 

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