The gorgeous Philodendron Verrucosum is known for its heart-shaped, velvety leaves. Their foliage is studded with golden veins blended in a background of vibrant green. Upending the leaves will reveal a gorgeous tint of red. The presence of Philodendron Verrucosum will undoubtedly elevate the splendor of your living space.
One must not confuse the Philodendron Verrucosum for some easy-going or low-maintenance plant. This beauty demands regular care and attention. If you’re still up for growing the Philodendron Verrucosum, keep reading because we’re about to make the process convenient for you.
The Philodendron Verrucosum is also known as Philodendron Ecuador because of its native heritage in the Ecuadorian jungles.
This plant is so resilient and unique because its growth sparks from a single seed growing in the canopy of other trees. Once it sprouts roots long enough to reach the soil, the Philodendron Verrucosum starts growing independently. This behavior of growth classifies this plant as a Hemiepiphyte.
Epiphytes are plants whose growth depends on a tree. Epiphytes spend their entire life thriving from a tree. Hemiepiphytes, however, only spend a part of their life on a tree.
This article will touch on all aspects of properly growing a Philodendron Verrucosum. Our easy and communicative horticulture tricks will help you sprout a healthy batch of Philodendrons!
Table of Contents
Meet The Philodendron Verrucosum: Basic knowledge and Origins
If you reside in a highly humid area, your Philonderon Verrucosum has the probability of thriving significantly. This is because of its relationship with its native tropical regions such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru.
You won’t find this plant at every other local nursery or market. It is rare to find one lying in a plant shop. Etsy and other online retailers sell the Philonderon Verrucosum for some fancy bucks. So if you have the luck of coming across this plant, make sure you fare it well.
| Family Type | Araceae |
| Common Name | Philodendron Ecuador |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron Verrucosum |
| Plant Type | Perennial and Shrubs |
| Size | 2-3 feet tall |
| Native Area | Ecuador |
| Sun Exposure | Indirect sunlight |
| Soil Consistency | Loose, well-draining soil |
| Soil pH | Mildly acidic |
| Flower Color | White and pink |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and animals |
| Common Pests | Thrips, Whiteflies, Mealy Bugs, Aphids, Spider Mites, Fungus Gnats |
How to Care for The Philodendron Verrucosum
This plant has somewhat unique demands. It grows 50-2000 m above sea level, hence replicating the conditions at such an altitude may prove to be a challenge for some horticulture fanatics.
Moreover, a lot of people claim that this is an easy-going house plant. I would partially disagree, foremostly because the Philodendron Verrucosum is a rapidly growing plant that demands frequent maintenance. It also has a relatively larger size than other house plants, adding to the maintenance steps.
I would also term the Philodendron Verrucosum as a slightly stubborn plant. A slight change in its watering frequency would cause the leaves to turn brown and ugly. However, if you stick to the instructions mentioned below, your Philonderon will never live a dull moment!
Sunlight Exposure
The Philodendron Verrucosum prefers bright but indirect sunlight. Keeping this plant near an East-facing window will provide the optimum nutrients it needs for growth.
You should never let direct sunlight fall on the leaves; it will burn them.
Soil
Choosing the right soil is a game-changing step for your plant. It determines its growth and survival. The wrong soil could lead to constant health problems for your Philodendron. Paying heed to soil selection should be a primary priority.
Whether you’re opting for a potting mix or natural soil, make sure you choose loose soil that will allow air to flow to the Philodendron Verrucosum’s roots. The addition of Perlite and Charcoal nourishes this plant further.
Water
The Philodendron Verrucosum is a tropical plant and loves water. Water the soil just enough to keep it moist, but never soggy.
Dry soil will act as a lid. It will prevent humidity from reaching more deep layers of the soil, thus depriving it of essential nutrients.
Temperature and Humidity
The optimum temperature for the Philodendron Verrucosum is 68 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Going 10 degrees higher will multiply its growth rate.
Despite its affinity for tropical temperatures, this climber can also survive in cold temperatures.
The Philodendron Verrucosum demands a humidity percentage between 55-65%; going higher than this only increases its growth rate.
Fertilizer
You should fertilize the Philodendron Verrucosum thrice a year. Apply the fertilizer at a distance from the base.
A slow-release fertilizer sustains nutrients for longer. If you choose to skip fertilizer, your Philodendron will grow at a considerably slower rate.
Pruning the Philodendron Verucosum
Many people choose to skip pruning because they want to witness this plant transition to a climber. The Philodendron Verucosum looks wild but beautiful if left un-pruned.
However, if you wish to restrict its growth inside your house, feel free to use sterilized pruning shears to cut away worn-out stems, roots, and leaves.
Propagating the Philodendron Verucosum
The easiest way to propagate the Philodendron Verucosum is by using its stem cuttings. This method offers promising results too.
This method also pertains to Philodendron Gloriosum, Philodendron Seloum, and Philodendron Birkin.
Propagation by stem cuttings
Choose a stem section that is healthy and laden with a few nodes.
Use sterilized pruning shears to cut off the chosen stem section
Place some cinnamon powder on the areas that were cut to encourage their healing
The growth medium for propagating this stem cutting can be Sphagnum Moss, water, or perlite soil
Place this cutting in the growth medium and wait until 3-4 weeks till new roots start to grow
P.s: If you’re using Sphagnum Moss as the growth medium, make sure to place it in water and then squeeze it in your fist first. This will render it adequately moist for growth.
Other methods for propagating the Philodendron Verrucosum include:
Potting
Before you choose a pot for this plant, it is important to understand that the Philodendron Verrucosum is a climber. It takes pride in spreading out its roots. Therefore, choosing a large pot to accommodate its growth would be a smart move.
Re-potting is advised every 2 years.
Challenges & Solutions
Root rot
Overwatering this plant is one of the most common causes of root rot. The Philodendron Verrucosum requires adequate aeration to thrive, and clogged water bodies in the soil will prevent oxygen from reaching the roots.
A fungal infection is another cause of root rot. It can rapidly spread to other roots and render the plant’s health fragile if not addressed immediately.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellow leaves are indicative of overwatering. Reduce watering frequency if the soil consistency is primarily soggy.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
One of the most affordable and sustainable ways to keep the pesky bugs away from your plants is by using neem essential oil.
Mix some of the neem essential oil with water in a spray bottle to spritz it all over your plants. Soon you’d notice a decrease in the number of visitors in your plant area!
People also use rubbing alcohol and castile soap to repel the pests.
The leaves of your Philodendron can droop either because of overwatering or underwatering. The easiest way to identify this is by touching the soil.
A soggy soil would indicate overwatering, whereas a dry one would be the case of underwatering.
