Philodendron pink princess 35cm

Philodendron Care
Philodendrons make great houseplants due to their generally low maintenance nature, but it is still important to maintain proper growing conditions to keep your plant healthy. Care for your philodendron by aiming to mimic its natural tropical environment: Provide plenty of heat and moisture near a sunny window. In hot weather, place philodendron houseplants outside in a shaded area to get some fresh air and natural light from time to time. Beware of direct sunlight; that can burn their delicate leaves.

Keep your plant's leaves looking their best and functioning properly by wiping them regularly with a damp cloth.

These plants have no serious problems with pests or diseases. But they can be susceptible to common indoor plant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips and spider mites. Treat infestations with a natural insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

Light
This species usually grows best in partial sunlight. Philodendrons need sun, but under a tropical canopy they naturally get subdued light rather than direct light. Place them indoors near a window that gets bright, indirect light. Too little light can lead to bony growth with lots of space between the leaves. But too much light can cause many of the leaves to turn yellow at once. (Just yellowing a few leaves is usually just normal aging).

Soil
Philodendrons like loose potting soil rich in organic matter. The soil must have good drainage. For container plants, it is recommended to replace your philodendron's soil every few years or so. These plants are sensitive to salts that build up in the soil through watering, which can cause leaf discoloration and yellowing. You can periodically flush out some of the salts by thoroughly watering your tank until water comes out of the drainage holes. But eventually the soil will need to be changed.

Water
These plants generally like a moderate amount of soil moisture. To determine how often to water your philodendron, find the right watering schedule by checking the soil: Water this plant when the top inch of soil has dried out. Both overwatering and underwatering can make the leaves droop, so measure when it's time to water by the dryness of the soil and not necessarily the leaves. Philodendrons don't do well in waterlogged soil, as that can lead to root rot. The non-climbing species tend to be slightly more drought tolerant than the climbing species. Reduce your houseplant watering schedule during the winter.

Temperature and humidity
The temperature tolerance of philodendrons varies according to the species. In general, they should not be exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees. Indoors, protect them from cool drafts, such as those from an air conditioning vent. These plants like humidity, so you may need to crank up the humidity around your philodendron if you live in a dry climate. To do that, you can mist the plant every few days with water from a spray bottle. You can also place the container on top of a water-filled pebble dish, making sure the bottom of the container does not touch the water, which can lead to root rot.

Fertilizer
Use a monthly balanced liquid fertilizer for your plant in spring and summer. For the amount to use, follow the directions on the product label. Then reduce feeding to every six to eight weeks in the fall and winter. If your plant is not getting enough food, growth will be slower than normal, and the leaves may appear smaller than usual.