Philodendron Plowmanii

While some of us prefer growing plants with huge leaves, others prefer bushy houseplants with clusters of tiny leaves. Philodendron plowmanii, a unique crawling Philodendron, is the topic of our discussion today. The late botanist Timothy Charles Plowman is honored by the name of this plant. This plant stands out thanks to its enormous, heart-shaped, bicolor leaves.

In order to properly care for philodendron plowmanii, warm, moderate temperatures and strong indirect light must be provided. In a potting mixture that drains effectively, this plant will flourish. Keep in mind that it struggles in chilly climates.

The glossy foliage has shades of lime green, dark green, and creamy yellow. The primary factor in this plant’s popularity is its bicolored foliage. Plowmanii is a superb landscape plant with large leaves for your tropical garden.

It is similar to Philodendron Mamei in appearance. However, you can tell them apart depending on their leaves. Plowmanii lacks the silver variegation that Mamei possesses. The Plowmanii has petiole edges that are ruffled, which is another distinction.

The philodendron plowmanii is native to tropical regions of Ecuador and Peru. If given the proper attention and surroundings, this evergreen plant can remain strong and lush for its whole lifespan.

Philodendron Plowmanii Plant Care 

Keep the Plowmanii plant’s soil wet and rich in organic matter. It shouldn’t be grown in sand, mud, or water. You may easily make your own potting soil by mixing equal parts peat, sand, and loam. To improve the soil, add compost. This plant prefers soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6, which is somewhat acidic.

Any high-quality aroid mix and soilless growing mediums like perlite or sphagnum moss can be used to grow this philodendron. To prevent soggy or waterlogged soil, the potting soil needs to drain efficiently. This will cause your philodendron a lot of problems.

In USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11, they thrive in the outdoors. This plant can be kept outside during the summer, but once the frost arrives, bring it inside.

Watering Because Philodendron plowmanii prefers moist soil and thrives in water, it should be watered frequently. This plant requires enough water to survive; it is not drought-tolerant.

In the worst circumstances, inadequate watering can hinder or even halt the growth of this plant, therefore pay particular attention to it.

Just be careful not to overwater it. Before I water my Plowmanii plants, I always check the top 2, 3 inches of soil because this gives me a better indication of whether the plant genuinely needs water.

In the summer, give it a single or double irrigation. Additionally, you can cut back on watering to once per week during the winter.

The amount of water a houseplant needs depends on the temperature and amount of sunshine. More water may be needed by plants grown in bright light than by those grown in low light. In a similar vein, plants need extra water when the temperature is high.

Light

My Philodendron plowmanii has been expanding swiftly and developing gorgeous, huge leaf since I started keeping it in bright, filtered light. However, compared to most other indoor plants, this species can thrive in less light.

Plowmanii may thrive in practically any lighting situation as long as direct sunlight doesn’t touch the plant. Most indoor plants suffer from damage from direct sunlight since their leaves will become burnt.

This plant thrives in light to heavy shade outside. The best way to lessen the intensity of sunlight indoors is with sheer curtains or blinds, while shade cloth can be used outside. I advise setting your plant back from other sizable plants.

Temperature

The recommended temperature range for interiors is 55 to 88 oF. (12 to 31 degrees Celsius). I bring my philodendrons indoors during the winter to protect them from frost and freezing temperatures.

The lowest winter temperature that this plant can withstand is 55 oF. It is not at all temperature tolerant. So, once winter sets in, move it to a warmer location. I keep my houseplants away from heaters, fans, and air conditioners because they will dry them out more quickly.

Humidity Although this tropical plant can withstand some humidity, it actually prefers a little more moisture, so 60% or more is ideal. It is extremely simple to maintain humidity; for drier locations, you can purchase an indoor humidifier. But in typical indoor settings, spraying the plant once in a while is sufficient to keep it hydrated. Another inexpensive way to raise the humidity inside is to group plants together.

Make use of the pebble tray technique to advance one step. A saucer or tray can be filled with water and a few pebbles. Keep the soil away from this water. The humidity level around the plant rises as a result of this water’s evaporation.

The intention is to prevent the plant from drying out, particularly on hot, windy days in the spring and summer.

Philodendron Plowmanii Fertilizer

Three times a year, fertilize the Philodendron plowmanii with a slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer six inches out from the base of the plant.

This plant will grow more quickly if fertilized in the spring and summer when it is actively growing. Any typical houseplant fertilizer will do just fine but stay away from cheap fertilizers because they might permanently harm the roots.

Repotting

The roots of this Philodendron are firmly rooted and vigorous. You only need to report Plowmanii in one of three circumstances since it will grow tall and robust when the roots are kept loose:

The plant may be root-bound if it is growing very slowly. Repot it into a fresh, one-size-larger pot to give the roots more room.

You should move the Plowmanii plant to a new, larger pot once it has outgrown the one it is now in.

if your Plowmanii plant has a fatal illness or pest infestation.

The majority of gardening professionals advise reviving your potted plant’s soil once a year. This improves aeration, drainage, and nutrient levels. Before putting the plant in the pot, always check the root systems. You might want to cut any mushy or yellow roots.

Pruning

The low-maintenance plant Philodendron plowmanii doesn’t require any extra work. To remove damaged or discolored stems and foliage, trim this plant. You won’t need to prune it very frequently if not.

Philodendron Plowmanii Propagation

This species of Philodendron can be propagated in a variety of ways, just like other species. Here are 2 of the most popular techniques. Wear protective gloves and sanitize your tools and supplies. Take stem cuttings using a knife or pair of scissors with care.

The cutting should have one leaf on it and be at least 2 to 3 inches long. Although you can cut or remove the leaf from the lower node—where new roots will sprout—more leaves are also okay.

Water Spreading

• Water should be poured into a glass jar, leaving about 1 inch at the top.
• Before utilizing the water for propagation, I always let it sit for a few hours. The chlorine and other contaminants will precipitate as a result. Additionally, it will cool the water to room temperature.
• By putting the naked node in water, place the cutting in the glass jar. The leaf ought to be visible above the water.
• It’s crucial to arrange the leaves such that they never touch the water. If moisture is left on them, they will most likely decay.
• To allow the cutting to take root, place the glass jar in a warm environment. Every two to three days, I replace the water.
• The cutting shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight since this will promote the growth of algae.
• After the roots emerge, give them time to expand to a diameter of 1 to 2 inches before planting them in the soil. It typically takes 2 to 3 weeks for roots to form.
• It is important to plant the cuttings in soil as soon as possible. The fresh, young plant will grow water roots if not. These roots are less robust than soil roots, which makes it difficult for the plant to adapt to its new surroundings.
• Many plant gardeners prefer this technique because it makes it possible to observe the development of roots. You can also check for illnesses or problems before they ruin the entire cutting.

Soil Reproduction

• Put the cutting in peat moss and perlite-rich soil media to use this technique. To build a greenhouse, wrap a plastic bag around the pot.
• To stop the growth of microorganisms, sufficient aeration is essential. Create a few holes in the plastic bag, but you should also periodically unzip it to let it light and air.
• You can sprinkle rooting hormone powder on the cutting to promote quicker root development and growth.
• Every time the soil dries out, water it to keep it hydrated. Place the pot at temperatures between 70 and 75 o.
• To verify that there are roots present, you can gently pull on the cutting. You can move it to its permanent location after 3 to 4 weeks. Maintain the standard plant care that was discussed in the preceding sections.