Light

Philodendrons prefer bright indirect sunlight (over 6 hours daily) but can live in lower light conditions. When your Philodendron gets less than 5 hours of indirect sunlight each day, its new leaves will emerge smaller, the vines will become leggy, and their leaves may become misshapen and under-developed. Avoid placing your Philodendron nangaritense in direct light as the intense rays of the sun will burn the leaves! If the plant gets damaged from leaf-burn, place it in a brightly lit room and new leaves will eventually emerge. If you feel that your philodendron is lacking light, we recommend adding supplemental lighting using LED grow lights (turned on for 8-10 hours each day!) 

Water

 Philodendron will do best when you let the soil slightly dry out in between watering! Water the soil thoroughly after the soil is almost completely dry. When the leaves first show signs of wilting, it is the best time to add water. Make sure you add the water slowly and evenly, making sure that all the soil can absorb the water! Indoor plants in small pots will need to be watered more frequently! Water your Philodendron more often in the growing season (spring and summer, into early fall) and reduce the frequency during winter. If the soil becomes compacted, soak the entire root system (root ball) in a bucket of water for 10 minutes to help loosen up the soil. A great way to test the soil for dryness is to pick up the plant; if it feels very light, it is most likely time to water it! You will need to water more often during the summer or if your philodendron is living in a consistently warm or hot space. Check the soil for dryness every few days and water accordingly, as you can never rely on a schedule!

Soil

In general, philodendrons are not picky about the soil they grow in, but they do best in loose and light nutrient-rich potting soil. Use a soil medium that can retain moisture but also allows for proper drainage to avoid root rot. Most pre-mixed soils will suffice. Make sure that there is plenty of organic matter, like coco-coir, peat moss, or shredded leaves, and avoid soils that contain moisture retaining crystals. If your soil drains too quickly, we recommend re-potting it into a compost-rich soil mixture with fewer drainage materials. 

Temperature

Philodendrons love warm environments - 65-85℉ - as they will produce leaves more rapidly than in cooler temperatures. Extremely high temperatures (over 90°F) can cause the soil to dry out quickly, requiring you to adjust your watering routine. Fuzzy Petiole Philodendron benefits from air circulation, so consider using a fan to crank up the breeze. Stagnant air can cause bacteria and pest problems. Philodendrons should be kept away from cold drafts and frequently used doorways and windows during the winter as cold air can harm your plant. If you bring your Florida Green Philodendron outside for the summer, make sure to get it back inside before the nighttime temperatures dip below 50°F at night!

Humidity

Although the Fuzzy Petiole Philodendron can handle most household humidity levels, it will grow more rapidly when the humidity is higher than 60%. Do what you can to increase the humidity for these tropical, vining indoor plants. Add pebble trays filled with water under your indoor plants, group plants together, or use a cool mist humidifier.

Fertilizer

Philodendrons benefit significantly from regular fertilizing because they are fast-growing houseplants! Use a weak solution (diluted to ¼ the recommended strength) of a complete liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter months. Sometimes your indoor plants will grow all year long. If this is the case, fertilize them during noticeable foliage growth with a ¼-strength diluted liquid fertilizer, or top dress the soil with worm castings or rich compost. To encourage the leaves to grow larger, use a fertilizer that has a higher nitrogen ratio.

The Fuzzy Petiole leaves can grow to be about 9" long and the vines can reach 8+' in length, but we recommend to trim them back to keep the plant full and lush. Be sure to provide a sturdy stake when the plant is young to allow the aerial roots to attach themselves!

Pet Friend or Foe

The Philodendron is toxic to pets. Foe!

Pro Tips

1. When you trim back vines to make your plant fuller, you can propagate the cuttings by placing them in water. Remember to replace the water weekly!
2. Disinfect your pruners every time you use them on a new plant as this will prevent accidentally spreading bacteria or pests.
3. Staking your plant to climb upwards encourages larger leaf development.
4. It is normal for the inner leaves of your Fuzzy Petiole Philodendron to turn yellow as the plant grows. Remove them once you can pull them off by hand.
5. Drain the excess water from cover pots after every watering to avoid drowning the roots.

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