Beautifully grown and drawing lots of positive attention, philodendron brasil is one of the most forgiving plants out there – easy to look after and featuring low requirements. It maintains its bushy appearance with proper care – the better you look after it, the easier it becomes to keep it happy. The plant is often referred to as philodendron brasil. It is important to know that if you have a heart leaf philodendron plant, the care is identical.
What is Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron brasil is one of the multiple heart leaf philodendrons. It features a stunning mix of green and yellow patterns in the middle of its leaves, which are shaped like hearts. The edges come with beautiful green edges. Simply put, each leaf grows differently, so it is almost impossible to find two identical leaves.
In terms of uses, philodendron brasil is most commonly grown as a tabletop plant. However, you can also grow it in a hanging basket. You can “train” it to grow some supportive elements, such as a bamboo stick or a moss pole.
Care
Caring for philodendron brasil will not require too much work. Indeed, just like any other plant, there are a few considerations and living conditions to pay attention to. But once you smash the thriving conditions, the plant will grow without giving you any headache. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Light
Most philodendron plants will do with low amounts of light. However, philodendron brasil is variegated, so chances are it requires a bit more light. Of course, you can find nonvariegated versions of this plant too, which will require less light. In fact, this is usually the main reason wherefore the plant has lost its variegation – the low lighting conditions.
Generally speaking, these plants will not do well with bright direct light. Sure, brightness is a must, but opt for indirect light. An hour or two a day of direct sunlight will help the plant thrive, but cooking it in direct sunlight throughout the day will kill it. With these thoughts in mind, a window facing north is ideal for philodendron brasil – some morning sun and indirect light later on.
If you do live in a hot area with lots of sun or your windows bring in plenty of direct sunlight, make sure you bring in some curtains or blinds to diffuse it. If you live in a northern area with low amounts of sun, an eastern window will also do. Simply pay attention to the conditions you provide, as well as how the plant responds to them.
Water
In terms of water, philodendron brasil is similar to other houseplants. You can determine whether or not it needs water by simply sticking your finger into the soil. While it does require water, it will not survive with exaggerated amounts of it. Do not let it dry out either or the lower leaves will go yellow, then brown. Eventually, the plant will die.
Proper drainage is mandatory too. If you grow it in a hanging basket, you need to ensure excess water drains out. Most hanging baskets come with small reservoirs at the bottom. A bit of water over there is not bad, but you should not let the plant soak in it. Therefore, tilting the basket a bit a few minutes after watering the plant, the reservoir is mostly empty.
Soil
Again, philodendron brasil is quite forgiving and will not bother too much about the soil. As a general rule of thumb, most types of potting mix will work wonders. There are lots of options in commerce – most of them will help the plant thrive, as long as they are well-drained. This is the main requirement when it comes to the soil.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of potting mixes, simply get an all-purpose solution. You can also help the draining part by adding a bit of perlite or perhaps some orchid bark chunks. This type of mix will help with the drainage and ensure your plant does not get extreme amounts of water – just what it needs before the water gets away.
Temperature
Houseplants tend to follow the same general rules in terms of temperature. Obviously, there are a few exceptions here and there, but philodendron brasil will not give you any issues at all. As a general rule of thumb, if you feel comfortable at the temperature inside your home, your philodendron brasil will feel comfortable as well.
You may think that different people have different needs, so making an estimation could be difficult. You should know that the plant would rather have warm temperatures than cold temperatures. The nighttime might be a bit of an issue in a certain part of the world. The temperature should not go below 55 degrees F.
Humidity
Most plants in the philodendron family prefer high humidity levels. An average level of humidity will not really harm your philodendron brasil though. Most plants can tolerate general indoor conditions without excessive humidity, so there is not too much to worry about. If you can take some extra humidity, do it and your plant will be even happier.
A humidifier is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to increase the humidity levels for your plants. You can also add the plant to naturally humid areas of your home, such as the bathroom. Extra humidity can also be achieved by grouping more plants together – the process is known as transpiration and you can come up with a microclimate within the house.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your philodendron brasil is not mandatory, but it will help. Most people who care for their plants will naturally choose to feed the plant and bring in fertilizer. There are more options out there, but it is highly recommended to opt for a premium fertilizer – the type of product that brings in a complete formulation for the plant. Basically, it should be urea-free and feature all the micro and macronutrients required by most plants.
Get such fertilizer and follow the instructions on the packaging. You will probably have to add a bit of it to a plastic gallon, mix it with water and water the plants with it. Avoid eyeballing the amounts – follow as much as is recommended. Too much or too little will not be too beneficial for the plant, so stick to the recommended proportions.
Fertilization is highly recommended for most houseplants. At the end of the day, keep in mind that the soil indoors is not replenished with organic stuff every now and then – this rule applies to nature only. You will have to do nature’s job and come up with a fertilizer instead. As for philodendron brasil, do it from the last days of winter to the beginning of the fall season – stop throughout the cold season.
Height and Growth Rate
Generally speaking, philodendron brasil has a fast growth rate. It can climb quite vigorously if you want it to grow that way. A year of proper care will give you a large bushy plant that will surprise you with its richness. Trimming is required if you provide the optimal conditions, as its growth might exceed its available space.
As for the actual height, the plant is usually kept between six and 36 inches in height. When growing in its natural conditions, it can reach four feet in height. Unless you want to grow such a large plant, you will need to trim it as it exceeds its space.
How to Propagate Philodendron Brasil?
Propagating philodendron brasil is not too difficult. You need to grab some cuttings from the vines and grow them. There are two different ways to do it. No matter which way you choose, it is imperative to cut the plant by the node. Nodes are where leaves attach to the vine. You need the cuttings to have one or two nodes – more is better, as well as a few different leaves.
The water propagation is simple and quick. The nodes have some sort of roots, even if they are not visible. Throw the cutting in water and the roots will start growing straight away. Let them develop properly before moving them into the soil. Normally, you should wait until the roots are an inch long before transferring them.
Soil propagation is not to be overlooked either. Get the cuttings and dip them into some rooting hormone solution. This way, the roots will grow a bit faster. Stick them into the soil. There is nothing to worry about if you do not have any rooting hormone though. Place a few cuttings in the pot and make sure the nodes are buried. The soil should be slightly moist. Once the cuttings are in, water them.
The soil should be kept moist – it is mandatory to boost root growth. This way, every single node should come up with roots and grow up. In terms of spacing, if you have a four-inch pot, you can comfortably stick seven cuttings inside. Putting a couple of cuttings will never provide a full plant. On a side note, single-node cuttings will give you more vines.
Philodendron Brasil Repotting
You do not have to be a genius to repot philodendron brasil. There are, however, a few rules to ensure good results. Most people repot when the plant outgrows the pot – simply go one size up. If you have a six-inch pot, opt for an eight-inch pot instead. You should do it in late winter – or even better, the springtime – to avoid putting too much stress on it.
Maintain the growth conditions and do not rush the process. You might have to make small adjustments in the conditions – pay attention to the plant and its reactions.
How to Prune Philodendron Brasil?
There are more reasons wherefore you will have to prune your philodendron brasil. Most people do it to train it, while others do it to propagate it. Fail to provide the right living conditions and the plant may develop legginess – you will have to prune it to control this problem. It is up to you to determine whether you want to tip prune or do a more extensive operation. There are no special requirements.
Is Philodendron Brasil Poisonous?
Philodendrons are some of the most popular houseplants out there. There are plenty of varieties and each of them has its own specifications. With all these, all the plants in this family are poisonous to both humans and pets. People can easily do with them, as they will have to be ingested to cause any reactions. If you have pets around, it may not be a good idea to have them around, unless your pets cannot reach them – hanging options make a good choice.
When eaten, the plant can cause various reactions – diarrhea, vomiting, swelling of the throat, tongue or lips, as well as burning sensations.
Pests and Diseases
Philodendron brasil is susceptible to scale, spider mites and mealybugs, so this is what you normally have to look after. Pests tend to gather in a few different places – inside the spot where the leaf targets the stem, as well as under the leaves. Pests multiply extremely fast, so it is imperative to do something about them as soon as you notice anything. They can even travel from one houseplant to another.
Can Philodendron Brasil Grow In Water?
Philodendron brasil can, indeed, grow in water. You can get some stem cuttings in the water and they will grow with no issues at all. However, most gardeners recommend growing the plant in soil for better results.
Compared to Other Similar Plants
Philodendron brasil can be similar to other plants, but there are obviously a few differences.
Philodendron Brasil vs. Pothos
Leaves tend to make the difference between philodendron brasil and pothos. Pothos has large, thick and waxy leaves. On the other hand, philodendron brasil has thinner leaves that feature a soft feel. The shape is closer to a heart too.
Philodendron Brasil vs. Rio
You can tell the difference by looking at how much white or cream the plant produces. Consistency is just as important. From this point of view, Rio has a silver and cream variegation, not to mention some shades of dark green. The variegation is more complex than in philodendron brasil.
Common problems
Just like any other plant out there, philodendron brasil can be exposed to some common problems. Most of them have something to do with the living conditions. Practically, the plant is giving you some signs that there is something you are doing wrong. Pay attention to these signs and alter the living conditions accordingly to fix them.
Leaves Turning Red
There are more reasons wherefore the philodendron brasil leaves turn red. It could be the consequence of anthocyanins pigmentation, but at the same time, a phosphorous deficiency could also be the issue – in this case, make sure you provide the right fertilizer. Too much exposure to direct sunlight will have similar results, not to mention the lack of water or light.
Leaves Turning Yellow
If you get an occasional yellow leaf every now and then, there is not much to be concerned about. All plants have such issues at times. The direct cause of constant yellow leaves is hard to determine though, yet some reasons are more common than others. Inconsistent watering is one of them – it could go in any direction. You are giving the plant too little or too much water. Exaggerating with the fertilizer is not a good idea either. The same goes for the light exposure – too little or perhaps plenty of it. The soil failing to drain properly could also lead to yellow leaves.
Leaves Turning Brown
If the tips of the leaves have turned brown, the air is too dry, so you need some more humidity. If you can see brown on more than just the tips, you have a watering problem, so adjust the quantity. It could be too much or too little, so adjust the amount and observe the reactions.
Small Leaves
Small leaves are associated with other problems as well. If the leaves are small, you will also notice that the plant barely grows. This is an obvious lack of fertilizer, so you need to increase the amount. If the leaves also tend to go pale, the fertilizer does not have enough magnesium and calcium – two main requirements for all philodendron plants.
Final Words
Bottom line, philodendron brasil is an attractive houseplant with incredible popularity. Just like other houseplants, their requirements are not too problematic, so most people can tackle them without too much hassle. However, small details and adjustments will help.
Provide the optimal living conditions – just like in the wild – and your plant will thrive. It will grow faster than normal and the leaves will surprise you with their beauty. Just like for any other plant, small problems may arise every now and then, but they are usually easy to tackle.
