One of the all time favourite indoor plants are the Philodendrons. Many species make an excellent indoor plant, however this is also a group of plants that grows well outdoors and with spectacular, bold foliage makes an impact in many landscaping projects.
These are either a clumping plant or a scrambling or climbing vine like plant that has been widely used in offices, shopping centres as well as in many homes for years.
They make an excellent addition to a tropical look garden. And although they are best suited to warmer climates, they can be grown in cooler areas given a little care and attention.
How To Grow Philodendrons – Basic Care
Preferring filtered or ‘indirect’ light and a humus rich moist growing medium (buy well drained) Philodendrons also like humidity. When grown indoors the only real problem is overwatering (soggy soil) or under watering. Over fertilisation can cause leaf burn, a general purpose slow release fertiliser seems to work well.
Care Summary. – Care Details
- Warm position.
- Filtered light.
- Well drained potting mix that will retain moisture.
- Prune away old dead foliage to maintain appearance.
- Repot every 3 years.
Pruning Philodendrons
Over time Philodendrons develop a soft trunk, this trunk then develops aerial roots in an attempt to support the plant.
This is the time to prune, start by removing any stems you do not want. Next remove as many of the roots as possible . Cut them clean back to the trunk, this will improve the look of the plant greatly.
You can also cut some of the longer stems off if required, they will reshoot from lower down
Information and Uses
The easy care nature makes it popular and as it is also on the list of plants that ‘clean the air’ it does have other benefits as well.
Foliage differs depending on variety from deeply divided to heart shaped. Most species are frost tender. All will grow well in good filtered light.
If you are looking for large and luxurious foliage plants, for indoors or outdoors then Philodendrons could be the ones.
Both species and hybrids are used widely as indoor plants as well as in the garden mainly as a tropical foliage plant with Philodendron Xanadu and Philodendron selloum being popular.
Many species are climbing plants and Philodendrons do well in low light situations.
Being a tropical plant they do need protection from frost, however they do well indoors or on a patio. If you are lucky enough to have a sheltered warm frost free position outdoors, then even in temperate climates they are well worth a try.
For those in cooler climates you could try Monstera deliciosa which is sometimes mistakenly called the ‘Split Leaf Philodendron’.
Propagating Philodendrons
You can grow Philodendrons from seed, however seed is difficult to come by and you may need to hand pollinate flowers to obtain some. For commercial growers the main method of propagation is by tissue culture. Also possible from cuttings.
Philodendron Varieties
Generally easy to care for species and cultivars include :
- Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ a lovely tropical foliage plant that grows well in a pot or in the ground in warmer areas.
- Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Philodendron selloum) has a finer or ‘lacy foliage’ compared to some others, commonly called the ‘Split Leaf Philodendron..
- Philodendron scandens with its heart shaped foliage.
- Philodendron Congo and Philodendron cordatum and are other species worth looking for.
- Selloum – Another with very large and glossy deeply divided foliage.
- Gloriossum – Very attractive soft green foliage, heart shaped and veined in a creamy white.
Philodendron varieties are available for sale from the following nurseries
Indoor Plant specialists for Melbourne. - Ph : 0435 677 428
"Indoor potted house plants & plant gifts delivered throughout Melbourne.
Delivering quality indoor plants with convenience every time. Easy online plant purchasing, gift wrapping and delivery Melbourne."
www.garnerstore.com.au
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au
Wholesale
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au