The philodendron owes its aura as a typical bachelor plant to its frugal undemanding nature. Nevertheless, you should familiarize yourself a little more closely with the central aspects of its care. The answers to important questions about the tree friend show you how to do it right.

The philodendron should be sprayed with water from time to time

How to water a philodendron?

The perfect water balance pursues the goal that the root ball is always slightly moist on the inside. On the other hand, the surface of the earth should dry out in the meantime to prevent harmful waterlogging. Check by finger test whether the substrate is about 1 cm deep dry. Only then let the soft water run until the coaster fills up. Once a week, the tree friend is happy about a gentle spray of lime-free water.

Does the tree friend want to be fertilized?

There is a need for nutrients throughout the year, whereby the intervals between fertilizer applications depend on the current season. How to do it right:

  • Add a liquid complete fertilizer to the irrigation water every 2 weeks from April to October
  • Optionally apply a slow-release fertilizer in April and July
  • Fertilize every 6 weeks from November to March

To ensure that the nutrient salts contained in the fertilizer are optimally absorbed, please water with clear water before and after fertilizing. The magnificent leaves should be wiped with seaweed juice from time to time. This not only preserves the rich green color, but also delivers valuable nutrients directly into the leaf tissue.

My philodendron is growing beyond my head - can I cut it?

It is primarily the climbing Philodendron species that quickly become too large indoors. Because your tree friend takes pruning well, you can prune it back to the size you want. The best time to do this is during the transition from winter to spring.

For all pruning measures, please consider that the milky sap in the tree friend is poisonous. Therefore, wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing to prevent skin irritation.

The aerial roots are spared as much as possible from pruning. The long strands not only serve as adhesive organs. At the same time, they contribute to the supply of water and nutrients. An aerial root should only be removed when it has died and can no longer fulfill its two functions.

How should a philodendron overwinter?

A year-round cultivation under normal room temperatures is very appealing to your tree friend. Since he shivers at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, he can stay on the bright window sill in the heated living room even in winter. From November to March, water less and only fertilize every 6 weeks.

tips

Philodendrons have an intriguing ability to raise their temperature. Some species, such as Philodendron bipinnatifidum, heat the closed flowers up to 38 degrees Celsius so that their flowers give off an intense smell. The aim of this action is to attract the corresponding pollinator insects that cannot resist the carrion stench.

Category:

Vegetable garden