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Philodendron Brasil Plant | Care Difficulty – Easy

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The vining Philodendron Brasil is an unquestionably easy-care indoor plant because unlike me, they actually thrive on being ignored for short periods. They can live in a wide range of lighting and are not super thirsty. Have I hooked you yet? These houseplants can be trained to grow up a trellis or a pole, or can be displayed as a hanging plant.

One of the gorgeous trademarks of this plant is the variation of the leaves. It is usual for the Philodendron Brasil to have a combination of variegated leaves and solid-colored ones. The solid leaves are often dark green, but I have some that are a bright yellow/green color. The variegated leaves are dark green with a central band of chartreuse.

If you are looking for ways to sneak nature into your home, plants are probably the most important and beneficial. There are many reasons to include a healthy dose of plant life in any or every room of your home. Beyond their aesthetic value, having plants in your home reduces toxins in the air and improves air quality. These benefits range from lowering blood pressure to energizing the mind and even encouraging deeper and more healthful sleep. If you are looking to add a plant to your home, start with the Philodendron Brasil!

To be frank, it took me months to find a healthy one in the local stores.  Whenever I would come across one, it would be sparse, and the leaves would be covered in dirt and white stuff. It was odd, because this always seemed like a common theme. Needless to say, I was quite discouraged. But through perseverance, I was able to find one here and there, rounding out my plant collection.

Water Requirements

Never, ever let your Philodendron Brasil completely dry out. If you keep doing this repeatedly, your lower leaves will yellow and turn brown, and the plant will get leggy. I like to take all my plants to the kitchen sink and thoroughly soak the soil, allowing all the water to drain out. Make sure you water around the entire pot and not just in one area. Water more often in the growing season, and reduce the frequency during the winter months.

Light Requirements

Philodendrons prefer medium to bright indirect sunlight but can live in lower light conditions. However, their leaves will be smaller, and the vines will become leggy if the light is not bright enough. It is best to keep it out of the direct sun, which will burn foliage. In many cases, the variegated version of a plant needs more light than the non-variegated version of the same plant.

Optimum Temperature

Most household temperature ranges are adequate for these indoor plants. Letting them remain in temperatures under 55℉ will stunt their growth. Avoid cold drafts and heat vents.

Fertilizer – Plant Food

Use a diluted solution of a complete liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks throughout the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter, since most plants go dormant in the colder months. Sometimes your indoor plants will grow all year long. If this is the case, fertilize them with a 1/4 strength diluted liquid fertilizer, or top dress the soil with worm castings or rich compost. If you overfeed your plants, they will let you know. Here are a few things to watch for:
If you overfeed a plant, you can remove it from its current soil and repot it in fresh soil. This technique is undoubtedly the best way to get rid of the excess nutrients. Alternatively, you can flush the soil, which involves drenching the soil with water and letting it drain out. Repeat this several times to help the soil get rid of excess fertilizer.

Additional Care

Plant Characteristics to Watch For

Diagnosing what is going wrong with your plant is going to take a little detective work, but even more patience! First of all, don’t panic and don’t throw a plant out prematurely. Take a few deep breaths and work down the list of possible issues. Below, I am going to share some typical symptoms that can arise. When I start to spot troubling signs on a plant, I take the plant into a room with good lighting, pull out my magnifiers, and begin by thoroughly inspecting the plant.
Some leaves are part orange/red and green.
Variegation on the leaves is fading.
The vines are leggy, with small leaves.
The base of the plant is looking sparse.
The leaves are soft and wilting.
Yellow and Mushy Stems
Brown Leaves
Fungus gnats
My plant is bushier on one side.

Common Bugs to Watch For

If you want to have healthy houseplants, you MUST inspect them regularly. Every time I water a plant, I give it a quick look-over.  Bugs/insects feeding on your plants reduces the plant sap and redirects nutrients from leaves. Some chew on the leaves, leaving holes in the leaves.  Also watch for wilting or yellowing, distorted, or speckled leaves. They can quickly get out of hand and spread to your other plants.
IF you see ONE bug, trust me, there are more. So, take action right away. Some are brave enough to show their “faces” by hanging out on stems in plain sight. Others tend to hide out in the darnedest of places, like the crotch of a plant or in a leaf that has yet to unfurl.
  • Mealybugs look like small balls of cotton. They can travel, slooooooowly, but they have a strong will and determination! Though they are slow-moving, if any plant is touching another, there is a chance the mealybug will hitch a ride on a new leaf and spread. They breed like rabbits of the insect world. Females can deposit around 600 eggs in loose cottony masses, often on the underside of leaves or along stems.
  • Scales are dark-colored bumps that are primarily immobile insects that stick themselves to stems and leaves. They are rather inconspicuous and don’t look like a typical insect. They can range in color but are most often brownish in appearance. They’re called “scales” primarily due to their scale-like appearance on a plant, due to waxy or armored coverings. They are often seen in clumps along a stem, sucking away at the plant’s juices with their spiky mouthpart.
  • Aphids are more commonly seen if you place your plants outdoors. Aphids are indeed bugs. They are tiny insects that, along with black, also come in shades of yellow, green, brown, and pink. They are often found on the undersides of leaves.
  • Spider mites are more common on houseplants. They are not insects–they are related to spiders. These appear to be tiny black or red moving dots. Spider mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye. You often need a magnifying lens to spot them, or you may just notice a reddish film across the bottom of the leaves, some webbing, or even some leaf damage, which usually results in reddish-brown spots on the leaf.

Toxicity

All parts of this plant are toxic to humans as well as to dogs and cats. They contain insoluble calcium oxalates, which are poisonous if ingested. The symptoms of poisoning from ingesting a philodendron may be a burning sensation on the tongue or lips and throat.  Often, the later stages of philodendron ingestion include vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant high up and out of reach from any vulnerable members of your family–this includes pets.

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