The Velvet Leaf Philodendron – Philodendron Micans

With beautiful bronzy color and velvety texture, this trailing or climbing houseplant thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Water when the top couple of inches of soil feels dry. Use distilled or rainwater to avoid adding too many salts to the ground.

Philodendron micans are susceptible to spider mites and aphids. To eliminate these insects, spray the plants with neem oil or organic insecticidal soap.

Plant Velvet Leaf

The velvet leaf philodendron, or philodendron means, is an extremely popular houseplant because it’s easy to care for and produces abundant leaves and vines. It can trail on the ground or be trained up a moss pole or other climbing structure. It also grows well in a terrarium or hanging pot, although it may lose some of its iridescent colors. It’s a great choice for small spaces because it has no fragrance and effectively filters formaldehyde, benzene, and other air pollutants in the home.

This tropical plant is native to rainforests and prefers bright indirect light, between 10,000 to 20,000 lux. It will tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can burn the leaf margins. It can grow in low light conditions as well, but the leaves will be smaller, and it will take longer to mature.

The ideal soil for a philodendron is a rich organic mix containing many humus. This will help the roots retain moisture, so it’s important to keep the potting mix moist at all times. It’s also important to avoid overwatering, as the potting mix will become soggy, and this can damage the root system. Water your Philodendron only when the top couple of inches of the soil is dry, and always let the pot drain completely afterward.

When watering your Philodendron, it’s best to use filtered or rainwater rather than tap, as the salts in tap water can harm it over time. A standard indoor liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength should be used regularly during the spring and summer to promote healthy growth.

Report your Philodendron every 2 or 3 years when the soil looks compacted. Philodendrons do not like being rootbound, and repotting will encourage the plant to put out new leaves and vines. Watch for signs of stress, such as yellowing or shriveling of the leaves and vines, which indicate that it isn’t getting enough nutrients from the soil.

Like other plants in the genus, philodendron micans are susceptible to pests, including spider mites and aphids, which can be easily removed with a hose or sink spray. It’s a good idea to monitor your Philodendron regularly for infestations of these pests, as they can quickly spread from one plant to another in the same household.

Variegated

Philodendron micans is a beautiful tropical houseplant with a special form of variegation that creates unique patterns in its leaves. It is a low-maintenance plant that grows quickly and easily in medium indirect light. It is a great choice for indoor gardens as it can be used in hanging pots or trained up a wall. This heart-shaped vine can also be grown outdoors in a warm and humid climate.

When growing a philodendron, the planting soil should be slightly sandy or loamy. This is because philodendrons are heavy feeders and need a good amount of nutrients in their soil. The potting mix should also have plenty of loose organic material to promote root growth and to allow water to drain well. In addition, philodendrons prefer to be planted in a large container as they grow quickly and need room to sprawl.

In the wild, philodendrons grow in rainforest-like conditions with bright sunlight and high humidity. To mimic this environment when growing a philodendron, provide plenty of indirect sunlight and a humid location when you plant your Philodendron. This will prevent the leaves from burning and help them thrive.

While philodendrons are easy-going plants, they need consistent, regular watering. During the summer, they enjoy being watered weekly with a general rule to let the soil dry out between waterings. This will help prevent overwatering and root rot. In the winter, you can water them less often, adjusting to the season.

As with many tropical plants, philodendrons are susceptible to some common household pests, such as scale insects and fungus gnats. Inspect your Philodendron regularly and remove any insect pests as soon as you see them.

Occasionally, the patterned leaves of a philodendron may start to discolor or fade. This is normal and can be caused by several factors. For example, fading can be a result of overwatering, or it could be due to a lack of light. Usually, simply relocating your plant or increasing the amount of light it receives will remedy this problem.

In some cases, a philodendron may lose its variegation entirely. This can be a very frustrating situation, but it is not uncommon. In most cases, if the plant is healthy and well-watered, it will regenerate its patterned foliage. To speed up the process, add a little rooting hormone to the soil when repotting your plant.

For Sale

If you want a gorgeous trailing or climbing Philodendron with iridescent velvety leaves that feel almost quilted to the touch, look no further than our variety of Philodendron means. The foliage starts bronze chartreuse with a hint of pink, and as it matures, the color deepens to a rich green or even purple with bronzy undertones. This easy-care plant is as striking as it is beautiful and will add the perfect pop of color to any decor style.

As a tropical plant, Philodendron micans likes warm temperatures and humid conditions. Typical household temperature levels should be fine, but avoid drafty windows or air vents. It will also require a fair amount of humidity to thrive but can tolerate the low levels typically found in an average home, especially during the winter months. Adding extra moisture to your space by placing it near other plants or using a closed terrarium can help boost its growth and maintain its variegation.

Like many other philodendron varieties, Philodendron micans is fairly resistant to houseplant pests. However, as with any plant, it is important to watch out for infestations of mealy bugs or spider mites and treat them promptly. For this reason, we recommend feeding your plant a light dose of a balanced fertilizer during its growing season to keep it healthy and free from unwanted guests.

For best results, place your Philodendron in medium indirect light to dappled sunlight. This will allow it to grow and develop its beautiful variegation while remaining the happiest. Lower light environments are acceptable but will cause the coloration to dull and the foliage to become less vibrant. Water your Philodendron weekly, waiting until the top inch of soil is dry to prevent overwatering and root rot.

Like many other philodendron varieties, the best way to propagate philodendron micans is through stem cuttings. When doing this, make sure to remove a stem with several leaf nodes (these are little nubs along the stem that are where new roots will form). Place your cutting in a glass of water until it starts more cores, or plant it directly into your soil in a terrarium.

Care

Philodendron Micans is an easy-to-care-for houseplant with a lot of growth potential. It’s a fast grower and tolerates a range of lighting conditions. However, you should monitor the plant carefully for signs of pests and other problems.

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. This Philodendron can handle occasional dryness, but a constant wet soil can lead to rot. If the potting soil feels dry, it’s time to water.

It’s best to use filtered or distilled water rather than regular tap water since it will prevent the buildup of harmful mineral deposits in the soil. If you’re not keen on using bottled water, you can also set aside a container of uncovered, unchlorinated water to use for watering the plant.

The potting soil with the plant is adequate and will support its growth. The best ground to use for philodendrons is an all-purpose potting mix that has good drainage and is rich in organic matter. This can be easily made at home by mixing two parts of universal peat-based soil with one perlite.

This Philodendron prefers bright indirect sunlight to thrive and to grow its lush foliage. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and reduce their beauty. If your plant is in a window that receives direct sunlight, move it to a spot with more indirect light or boost it with a grow lamp in winter.

If the soil is consistently dry, it’s time to repot your Philodendron. Generally, repotting should be done when the plants outgrow their current pot. This usually happens after a year or so. If your plant has outgrown the pool, you’ll know because there will be more roots than soil in the container.

It’s important to prune your Philodendron regularly. This helps to shape the plant and encourages new growth. To prune, use a pair of clean, sterilized scissors to cut the stems just above a growth node. These nodes are small lumps where the leaf petiole attaches to the stem. These nodes are where aerial roots will grow and where you want the new vines to branch out.