How to Grow and Care for Your Philodendron Plants

How to care for philodendron plants:

1. Place in bright, indirect light
2. Keep in a moderately warm, humid area
3. Water thoroughly at least once every two weeks
4. Use a pot with drainage holes and well-draining potting mix
5. Prune your philodendron regularly
6. Keep an eye on pests
7. Repot your plant as necessary
8. Keep away from children and pets

Philodendrons are fast-growing and are generally easygoing — making them one of the best gateway indoor plants for aspiring plant parents everywhere. But, before you start filling up your house with attractive varieties like the Heartleaf Philodendron or the Philodendron Selloum, you must know how to take care of this plant.

While they’re low-maintenance, there are proper growing conditions to keep in mind — which will ensure your plant thrives in your home. Here’s how to care for philodendron plants:

Place in bright, indirect light

Philodendrons love being in bright, indirect light. The key word here is indirect — placing them in direct sunlight will burn their delicate leaves. So we recommend placing them near a window, or similarly shaded area. This will help them get lots of light but prevent the sun’s rays from directly touching the foliage.

However, they do tolerate medium to low indirect light conditions, though they won’t grow as fast or as they normally do. That said, if you’re keeping your philodendrons somewhere with limited light, keep an eye out for long and leggy stems. This is a sure sign that your plant needs to be moved somewhere sunnier.

Keep in a moderately warm, humid area

As a tropical plant, philodendrons will do best in areas with moderate humidity. Keeping them in such places will help them grow larger leaves, and grow more prolifically. Likewise, we suggest placing this plant anywhere too cold, as it prefers warmer temperatures. It’s best not to keep it in temperatures that go below 20-15°C.

Water thoroughly at least once every two weeks

We mentioned that these plants like some humidity. This is also reflected in their water needs — they like a moderate amount of soil moisture. So make sure to give this plant a thorough drink at least once every two weeks.

However, if you’re keeping it in a sunny and warm place, then you’ll likely need to water this plant as often as once a week. Be sure to keep an eye for yellow and droopy leaves, as this is a sign of overwatering.

To avoid overwatering (and underwatering) your philodendrons, regularly check the dryness of their soil. If the top inch of it is completely dry, then it’s a good time to give it some water.

Use a pot with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix

To help your philodendron properly shed excess water in between waterings, we recommend using a pot with drainage holes. This reduces the risk of yellowed leaves and root rot. And, philodendrons generally like potting mixed with sand and perlite to help with draining. They also do well with mixes that are rich in organic matter.

However, you’ll find that this plant isn’t particularly picky. So you can still do fine with regular potting soil, so long as you take care not to overwater your plant!

Prune your philodendron regularly

When you buy them, these plants usually top at less than 3 feet tall — but this plant is a fast-growing one, and soon enough it’ll have vines that trail up to 10 feet long!

If you want to keep its size in check, you’ll have to prune it regularly. The good thing is that you can snip off dead leaves, spindly growth, and excess vines pretty regularly since it recovers fast from pruning.

Pruning it will help encourage more lush growth — resulting in a manageable length and abundant foliage. And, you can keep your clippings, as they can be used for propagation.

Keep an eye on pests

Philodendrons generally don’t have any serious issues with pests. That said, they can still fall victim to common ones, such as aphids, thrips, mites, and the like. So to keep these pests at bay and protect the health of your philodendrons, make sure to give them a regular wipe-down with a damp cloth. You can also occasionally spray your plant down with natural pesticides, like neem oil and diluted dish soap solutions.

Repot your plant as necessary

Philodendrons are typically sold near or at maturity, so they generally don’t grow any bigger than they were when you got them (aside from their trailing vines). That means they don’t need frequent repotting — though it is a good idea to move it to a larger container every so often if you want them to grow plenty of vines and foliage.

Keep away from children and pets

Unfortunately, philodendron stems and leaves can secrete a non-lethal sap. Though it’s not poisonous, it can cause skin irritation if it lands on your skin. And, it causes a burning, aching sensation in your mouth and stomach if ingested.

So it’s best to keep these plants away from children and pets if there are any in your home. Keeping them on a table or shelf should keep them out of arm’s reach!

Key Takeaway

Philodendrons, being one of the most easy-going indoor plants, is a must-have for your collection — especially if you’re a beginner plant parent. Use our guide on how to care for philodendron plants to nurture happy, healthy, and beautiful philodendrons at home!