Philodendron selloum catches the eye with its deeply cut leaves, making it a popular choice for indoor spaces. To thrive with this plant, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the tips and insights shared here.
Light Requirements
Philodendron selloum thrives in 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight. Its natural growth patterns and habitat inform this requirement.
Unlike other philodendrons, this variety is more resilient to direct sunlight. It can withstand a few hours of direct sun, especially when diffused through a window, but that’s the limit. Exposing it to harsh, direct sunlight outside can lead to sunburn.
Watering
Water your Philodendron selloum when the top 2 inches of soil have dried out, ensuring the soil beneath stays moist but not soggy. This plant prefers more moisture compared to other philodendrons due to its origins in very humid regions.
Water the plant slowly, allowing the soil to absorb the water evenly. Any excess should drain out through the bottom. Be sure to empty any standing water from the saucer afterwards.
As winter approaches, cut back on watering. Allow the soil to dry out to at least 3 inches deep. During the colder months, the plant enters a dormant phase and requires less water.
Soil
Philodendron selloum prefers soil that is light and either neutral or slightly alkaline. Acidic soil can adversely affect the plant, so it’s best to avoid using acidic peat for planting.
Ensure the soil has good drainage to prevent water from stagnating. Waterlogged conditions are a common cause of root rot.
Choose a pot that’s just a bit larger than the plant’s root system. Oversized pots can lead to excessively moist soil around the roots, which is not ideal. When the roots fill the current pot, move the plant to a new pot that’s 2 inches larger in diameter, ensuring the new pot also has drainage holes.
Fertilizer
Philodendron selloum should be fertilized monthly, with the soil acting as its primary nutrient source. Opt for a nutrient blend rich in organic matter, such as compost.
Additionally, use a water-soluble, balanced NPK fertilizer to nourish your plant. A monthly application starting from spring through summer, concluding by the first half of fall, is generally sufficient.
If you notice the leaves turning yellow with green veins, a condition known as chlorosis, it indicates an iron deficiency. Treat this by watering the plant with chelated iron.
Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as doing so can lead to an accumulation of salts in the soil, potentially harming the roots.
Temperature
Philodendron selloum flourishes in temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Growth may halt if temperatures fall below 55°F (13°C).
For optimal health, move the philodendron outside only in summer or during warm nights. Keep it away from refrigerators or ice machines to prevent cold damage. Additionally, safeguard it from cold drafts within your home, as brief exposure to cold air can damage the leaves.
Humidity
Philodendron selloum thrives in humidity levels of 70-80%, which helps keep the leaves from drying out and prevents adverse effects. However, achieving this humidity indoors can be challenging, so steps should be taken to raise it.
A practical approach is to use a moisture meter placed near the plant to monitor air humidity easily.
Installing a humidifier is an effective way to boost humidity. Though they can be a bit pricey, humidifiers are a worthwhile investment for maintaining optimal moisture levels.
Another tip is to group your indoor plants closely together. This creates a microclimate where moisture from the leaves and evaporating soil helps to sustain higher humidity around the plants for a longer period.
It’s advisable to avoid misting the leaves directly, as this can cause brown spots on the foliage.
Pests
The most frequent pests attacking plants are aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. Despite their different appearances, they share the same damaging habit of sucking sap from the plant’s leaves and stems.
For minor infestations, manually removing the pests with your fingers or rinsing them off under running water is often effective.
In cases of more extensive pest invasion, applying horticultural oil to the plant can help. If horticultural oil proves ineffective, switching to insecticidal soap is the next step for controlling these pests.
Diseases
Just like pests, diseases can also affect your philodendron, with bacterial blight being a common issue. This disease begins as small spots on the leaves which quickly enlarge and lead to leaf rot, often accompanied by a foul smell.
To address this, remove any affected leaves right away. Avoid watering directly onto the leaves or misting them, ensure the plant is well-ventilated, and be careful not to overwater.
Another disease to watch out for is leaf spot, caused by various pathogens that damage the leaves, potentially causing them to yellow and wither if the infection becomes severe.
Combat leaf spot by spraying the affected leaves with a multi-purpose fungicide. It’s also crucial to maintain good air circulation around your philodendron and keep humidity levels below 80%.
Propagation
Just like pests, diseases can also affect your philodendron, with bacterial blight being a common issue. This disease begins as small spots on the leaves which quickly enlarge and lead to leaf rot, often accompanied by a foul smell.
To address this, remove any affected leaves right away. Avoid watering directly onto the leaves or misting them, ensure the plant is well-ventilated, and be careful not to overwater.
Another disease to watch out for is leaf spot, caused by various pathogens that damage the leaves, potentially causing them to yellow and wither if the infection becomes severe.
Combat leaf spot by spraying the affected leaves with a multi-purpose fungicide. It’s also crucial to maintain good air circulation around your philodendron and keep humidity levels below 80%.
Share This Post
Hello! I am planning to repot philodendron shangri from the nursery pot to my pot. What are the examples of aroid potting soil? If it very expensive can it be mixed with something else? Thank you.
Hello Sofya
Examples of aroid potting soil include mixes that contain a combination of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and/or bark. Some commercial mixes may also include ingredients like coir and sand. Aroid potting soil should have a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 to ensure optimal growth for your philodendron.
If aroid potting soil is too expensive or hard to find, you can mix your own using ingredients like peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and bark. You can adjust the ratio of each ingredient to create a mix that is suitable for your philodendron. Just make sure that the mix is well-draining and does not hold onto too much water, as this can lead to root rot.
Our philodendron sellom shows some black scales on the stalks and alittle on the back of leaves…what could this be, sap or a disease ?
Hi speranz! It sounds like your Philodendron selloum might be dealing with a pest issue, specifically scale insects. Scale insects can appear as black, brown, or otherwise colored bumps on the stalks and leaves of plants. They attach themselves to the plant and suck the sap, weakening the plant over time. The presence of scales can also lead to sooty mold, which thrives on the honeydew excreted by these pests, and this could be what you’re seeing as black scales.
For a mild infestation, you can physically remove scale insects. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently rub off the scales from the plant. This method is time-consuming but effective for small problems.
For more stubborn infestations, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. These are safer, more natural options that can effectively control scale insects. Make sure to follow the application instructions on the product label, and it might be necessary to apply multiple treatments at the recommended intervals.