Product Description:
The Heartleaf Philodendron is known as the sweetheart plant because of the unique heart shape of its leaves. This ease to care for plant is one of the most popular houseplants. The Heartleaf Philodendron is an evergreen vine that thrives in partial shade at moderate temperatures. In tropical regions it can survive outside, however in most places it is used strictly as a houseplant. While blooms on this fast-growing climber may appear at any time during the year most plants in confinement never bloom. Philodendron houseplants thrive indoors year round without complaint, but they enjoy an occasional stay outdoors in a shady spot when the weather permits. Taking the plant outdoors also gives you a chance to flush the soil with plenty of fresh water and clean the leaves. Philodendron is particularly fitting for indoor settings because it is able to filter gaseous toxins from the air.
Light:
The philodendron micans enjoys bright to medium indirect light. Avoid prolonged periods of direct sunlight as it can burn the delicate leaves, causing discoloration and crispy edges.
Soil:
This tropical aroid requires an airy, moist, well-draining soil mixture that is rich in organic matter.
Water:
Water your philodendron micans once the top 2-3 inches of the soil have dried out.
Temperature and Humidity:
Native to tropical environments, the philodendron micans thrives in warm temperatures and humid conditions. Typical household temperature levels are more than adequate for the philodendron micans, just ensure that you keep your plant away from any cold, drafty windows or air vents. For the most part, average household humidity levels are also sufficient for a philodendron micans, although providing extra humidity for your plant can help to boost its growth.
As long as your philodendron micans is planted in a potting medium that is rich in organic matter, it will not require any heavy fertilization. That being said, it can benefit from some light fertilization with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer throughout the spring and summer to help boost growth.
Pruning:
Regular pruning will help to ensure that your philodendron micans does not become leggy as pruning encourages the stems to branch. The spring and summer are the best times to prune your philodendron micans as it is in its active growing period. Using a pair of sterilized pruning shears, prune any stems that are particularly long. Save any stem trimmings as they can be used for propagation.
Propagating Philodendron Micans:
These gorgeous plants may be difficult to come by, but once you have one in your possession they are easy to propagate.
- Using a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears, take stem cuttings from a healthy philodendron micans, ensuring that each cutting has approximately 4-5 leaves/nodes (a node is where a leaf attaches, though sometimes there are nodes with no leaf on them).
- On each stem cutting, remove the bottom two leaves to expose the nodes along the stem.
- Put the stem cuttings in water, ensuring just the bare stem is submerged, and then place the cuttings in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light.
- Roots should begin to develop within a few weeks. Regularly check water levels to ensure that the nodes on the bare stem are submerged at all times.
- Once the roots are at least an inch long, the cuttings can be planted back in soil.
- Before planting the cuttings, pre-moisten the soil and then bury the roots.
- For the first 1-2 weeks keep the soil consistently moist (but never soaking) to help the cuttings acclimate. Then, slowly reduce your watering until you have resumed a normal watering schedule.
Growth:
If you give your Philodendron Micas care, it will grow to an average size of 8 to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide at its mature stage. They are considered a fast growth rate plant.
Potting and repotting:
Repot Philodendron once it gets pot or root-bound and use a pot 2-3” (5-17.5cm) larger than the old one.
