Ever-growing in popularity, Philodendron Gloriosum is a stunning house plant. If this is the first time that you are considering adding one of these beauties to your plant collection, then our guide is a great place to start. We provide you with all the best care tips to keep your new Philodendron Gloriosum thriving from day one!
Table of Contents
Origins and Appearance
Philodendron Gloriosum is native to South America and originally comes from Columbia. It is also native to Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Central America.
The plant’s appearance is largely responsible for its recent rise in popularity. This creeper has large, heart-shaped leaves and a velvety look. The dark green leaves also have striking white veins that appear pink in younger leaves. This tropical look makes Philodendron Gloriosum a stunning ornamental plant for your home or garden.
Temperature and Humidity
Philodendron Gloriosum will happily live in bright but indirect sunlight. When the plant is exposed to direct sunlight, the chances are that it will suffer burns. When that happens, those beautiful leaves turn yellow and ultimately dry out. There is no reversing this type of heat damage, so prevention is the only course of action.
The best temperature for your plant falls in the range of 65° to 80°F. These plants do not handle frost well, so if yours live on the porch always bring them indoors for the winter.
Due to its native territories, Philodendron Gloriosum also loves high humidity. The ideal range for this hearty beauty lies between 60 and 80 percent. That being said, the plant can handle humidity as low as 40 percent. But any lower and you should consider buying a humidifier to keep your Philodendron Gloriosum healthy.
Watering and Feeding
When it comes to watering your Philodendron Gloriosum, there are a few things to keep in mind. But perhaps the most important tip to remember is that this species loves soil that is moist but not water-logged.
During the summer, you need to find your rhythm by learning when to water the pot (it’s different for each plant due to its location, the weather, etc). The winter is easier to know when it’s time to water. During the colder season, you can allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before you give your plant a drink. A quick finger test will tell you when your Philodendron Gloriosum is thirsty!
Your Philodendron Gloriosum’s feeding schedule also depends on the time of year. The plant is actively growing during spring and summer. During this time, you can give the plant feedings on a monthly basis. Only feed it once over the wintertime. The best fertilizer is organic and preferably something that will never burn your plant. A good choice is fish emulsion.
Soil and Repotting
In order to flourish, Philodendron Gloriosum needs a specific type of soil. The best soil should be high in organic matter and airy enough to allow water to run through with ease. The ideal soil acidity should be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 pH. Some recommendations include 100 percent sphagnum peat moss or a potting mix meant for orchids. If you choose the orchid mix, remember to add some perlite and peat to make the soil airier.
Repotting Frequency
If repotting is a schlep for you, then there is good news. This is a slow-growing plant that won’t climb out of its pot every year! You only need to re-pot a Philodendron Gloriosum once every two to three years.
Benefits of Re-Potting
When they are re-potted as they should be, Philodendron Gloriosum plants experience the following perks.
- New growth is encouraged.
- The soil is replenished with nutrients.
- You can check for signs of root rot and other issues.
Signs That It’s Time To Re-Pot
This plant is good at giving you a heads up that it needs a new pot! These signs include roots growing from the drainage holes, the plant is no longer growing or water tends to pool on top of the soil. If you notice one or all of these signs, then the plant is probably rootbound and definitely needs to be re-potted.
How To Re-Pot Your Plant
For the best results, Philodendron Gloriosum needs a specific re-potting technique. The steps are easy to follow!
Step 1: Gently remove the root ball from the old pot.
Step 2: Remove any excess dirt but make sure that the root ball still contains plenty of soil. This will reduce the shock of re-planting for the roots.
Step 3: Half-fill a new pot with the right soil. The new container should be two sizes bigger than the old one.
Step 4: Plant it so that the thick rhizome with the leaf stems is above the soil. This prevents root rot and allows smaller roots to grow in the potting soil.
Get all the best tips on how to re-pot your house plants.
Pruning
Due to its slow growth rate, this plant requires minimal pruning. There are only two reasons why one should ever truly prune this species. The first is to remove any damaged or diseased leaves. The second reason is to take cuttings for propagation purposes.
Pests and Diseases
Unfortunately, this plant is not always free of problems. Sometimes, you might notice a bug or a bad-looking blotch on a leaf and wonder what to do. Our quick guide will cover all the issues that most trouble Philodendron Gloriosum.
Common Pests
Unwelcome visitors to Philodendron Gloriosum often include aphids, thrips, spider mites and mealybugs. You will notice the bugs or signs such as discolored leaves, web-like threads, and white puffs. Inspect your plant on a regular basis to catch an infestation as soon as possible. This will make treatment a lot easier. A good-quality, organic insecticide is a great way to get rid of all these bugs.
Common Diseases and Problems
Root rot is a big concern for this species. If you re-pot your Philodendron Gloriosum and notice any root damage, remove all the damaged roots and plant the Philodendron Gloriosum in a new pot with fresh soil. But the best thing to fight root rot is prevention. Luckily, it is easy to prevent root rot – simply avoid overwatering and make sure the plant’s soil is well-draining.
Another common problem is stress caused by lighting issues. Did you spot dry, yellow or drooping leaves? They all mean that the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight. The solution is to move the Philodendron Gloriosum to a spot where there is plenty of bright but indirect sunlight. Leggy stalks, on the other hand, suggests that it needs more light.
FAQ
You can propagate your plant by taking leaf cuttings. However, make sure that the cutting has at least two leaves and is taken from the rhizome (so that a piece of the rhizome is still attached). Such cuttings tend to grow faster.
No, this plant is considered toxic. Philodendron Gloriosum is capable of harming cats, dogs and other pets. The poisonous plant can cause symptoms like drooling, oral irritation and difficulty swallowing. If your pets tend to eat potplants or you have young children, you might need to consider another plant.
Yes, this plant has flowers. The blooms are white and grow in a spike-like formation. However, it can be very difficult to get your Philodendron Gloriosum to flower. The plant is known to only flower in perfect conditions that are similar to its tropical habitat. If your home mimics its native environment, you can expect flowers to appear from May to July.
This Philodendron variety is rarer than others. Besides rarity, this is also the only Philodendron species that grow along the ground as opposed to creeping up a wall or pole. The plant’s gorgeous looks also add to its value.
This is an exceptionally slow-growing species. There is no way to speed up its growth. Even when you provide the best of care, it can take a month for a single leaf to open. If this seems too slow, then there are other Philodendron species (that are rapid growers) that you can choose from instead.
