It is not an exaggeration to say that Philodendron is the 'queen' of indoor plants. Let's learn all about Philo with KLA through this article.
Learn about Philodendron
Philodendron is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. Philodendron plants are known for their attractive and variegated foliage, making them a popular choice for indoor and landscape decoration.
| Kingdom/ Kingdom | Plantae |
| Order/ Set | Alismatales |
| Family/ They | Araceae |
| Subfamily/ Subfamily | Aroideae |
| Tribe/ Tone | Philodendreae |
| Genus/ Branch | Philodendron |
Philodendron is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, primarily Central and South America. As of today, there are over 500 accepted species of philodendron and many more yet to be discovered.
Philodendron properties
Leaf
Philodendron leaves are very diverse in shape, color and size, leaves often have a glossy surface some velvet, silver or have more than one color. Some common leaf shapes:
Heart shape: This is the classic philodendron leaf shape and is found on many popular varieties, such as Philodendron cordatum and Philodendron Plowmanii.
Split leaf: This striking leaf shape is deeply lobed, giving it a feathery appearance. Split-leaf philodendrons such as Philodendron bipinnatifidum, or Philodendron Warscewiczii.
Elongated: Another common leaf form of philodendron is elongated and narrow like an arrowhead, such as the Philodendron Billietiae (Orange Crane).
See more articles about: 40 common leaf shapes in nature.
Trunk
The Philodendron stem is an important part of the plant, providing support, transporting nutrients and water, and playing a role in the growth of leaves and roots.
Philodendron stems can vary in shape depending on the species. Generally, they are soft but also quite sturdy, and can be upright or climbing, depending on the growth habit of the variety.
Their stems also depend on their growth habits. Some plants grow upright, some like to climb, and others like to crawl.
In addition, their stems also change depending on living conditions such as light, humidity and water source. The most obvious example is that if there is a lack of light, the stem can grow thinner and longer than when there is enough light.
Burn (node)
Nodes are important points on the stem where leaves and roots or flowers appear. On each node there is usually a part called a node, which is an undeveloped young shoot of the plant.
These nodes are essential for the ability to produce new plants through methods such as cuttings or grafting.
Roots and aerial roots
Philodendrons have both aerial (pneumatic) and underground roots. Pneumatic roots come in many shapes and sizes and originate from most nodes of the plant or occasionally from a stem node.
The size and number of aerial roots per node depends on the presence of a suitable substrate for the roots to anchor themselves to. Aerial roots serve two main purposes. They allow the philodendron to attach itself to other plant stems in the wild, and the second purpose is to allow it to collect water and nutrients.
These feeder roots tend to cling to the substrate the philodendron is attached to and move straight down in search of soil.
Growth habits
Philodendrons can be grown outdoors in temperate climates in shady locations. They thrive in moist soil with a high organic content.
In milder climates they can be grown in pots of soil some can be grown in water (aquatic) such as Philodendron Oxycardium.
Indoor plants thrive in temperatures between 68 and 80°F (20 and 26°C) and can survive in lower light levels than other houseplants. Although philodendrons can survive in dark places, they prefer bright light. Wiping the leaves with water will remove dust and insects.
Philodendron Care
Light: Philodendrons thrive in bright, indirect light or shaded areas. Avoid direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves.
Watering: Allow the top layer of soil to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Temperature: They prefer temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C).
Humidity: Philodendrons generally tolerate average humidity indoors but appreciate higher humidity.
Soil/substrate: A well-draining potting mix is essential to prevent waterlogging.
See more types indoor plant growing medium other.
Common diseases
Philodendrons are popular tropical plants, loved for their large, glossy leaves. However, they are also susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. Here are some common philodendron pests and diseases:
Philodendron Pests
Scale insects: These small, oval-shaped insects can be found on the underside of leaves. They suck the sap from the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
Mealybugs: These small, soft insects can be found on the undersides of leaves and in the leaf axils. They also suck sap from the plant, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
Red spider: These tiny pests are hard to see with the naked eye, but they can cause significant damage to plants. They create thin webs on leaves and suck the sap from the plant, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
White worm: These small, white worms can be found on the underside of leaves. They feed on the leaf's epidermis, causing the leaves to turn brown and die.
Common diseases on Philodendron
Root rot disease: This fungal disease causes the roots of plants to rot. Symptoms include yellowing, wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can also lead to root rot.
Leaf blight: This fungal disease causes brown or black spots on leaves. The spots can spread and kill the entire leaf.
Leaf spot disease: This fungal disease causes brown or black spots on leaves. The spots can damage the leaves and cause them to fall off.
There are several different treatments for pests and diseases on philodendrons. Treatments include:
- Manual pest removal: This is an effective method for controlling minor infections.
- Using insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soaps can be used to kill scale insects, mealybugs, and other pests.
- Uses of neem oil: Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can be used to control a wide variety of pests.
- Use of fungicides: Fungicides can be used to treat fungal diseases.
Cultivation and propagation
Cutting Philodendron
New plants can be grown by cutting the stem with at least one node including the dormant bud. This is then placed in water or a pot with a well-draining medium such as perlite or moss.
Should be placed in a cool, airy and humid environment. After rooting, the plant can be planted in a larger pot or planted directly outside.
The branch
Some philodendrons can also be propagated by cuttings, which is a less common method of propagation on philodendrons.
Sowing Philodendron seeds
They are not regular flower and seed bearers, and if the environment is not suitable, flowering may not occur. Philodendron cultivars usually have few plants of the same species, so the possibility of pollination when flowering is very low.
In theory many philo species produce seeds but this is not usually used by hobbyists for propagation.
Philodendron tissue culture
Tissue culture is a method of propagation by using a part of the plant tissue and then using some substances to stimulate roots and seedlings to grow from that tissue.
This method produces new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. This is the most common method used for commercial philodendron species.
Breeding Philodendron
Hybridizing philodendrons is fairly easy if flowering plants are available, as there are very few barriers to hybridization. However, there are some aspects that can make hybridizing philodendrons more difficult, such as the fact that they tend to flower at different times and the time at which the flowers open varies from plant to plant. The pollen and inflorescences are both short-lived.
The life span of pollen can be extended to several weeks by storing it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. If the flower cluster is not fertilized, it will fall off, usually within a few weeks.
Benefits of growing Philodendron
Like indoor plants, growing Philodendron brings many benefits, not only making the living space green and decorative but also having positive effects on the environment and mental health. The reason why philodendron becomes the "queen" of indoor plants is because they are easy to care for, grow quickly, propagate easily and have many different shapes.
See more benefits in the article: 10 great benefits of growing plants in the office.
Philodendron toxicity
Be aware that Philodendron contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be toxic if ingested. Keep them out of reach of pets and children. The risk of death is extremely low, but possible. In general, you should not eat these plants raw or cooked. If you have pets, watch them closely to see if they are “chewing” the leaves.
Popular Philodendron Varieties
The diversity of morphology and growth habits makes Philodendron a popular choice for many people to collect and grow at home.
diversity
Some philodendrons have lobed leaves, which give the leaves a striking appearance. Their lobes also depend on the environment and growing conditions.
In addition, many mutant philodendron strains (vars) with impressive colors are also a reason why this plant is popular with many people.
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