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Philodendron Ilsemanii – 8 Caring and 5 Propagating Tips!

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Philodendron Ilsemanii, also known as Mottled Ilsemanii Variegata, is a plant that produces mesmerizing foliage and flowers. Philodendron is derived from “Philo,” which means love, and “Dendron,” which means tree.

They are quite famous for their climbing habit, as these plants can cover up the whole area with their beautiful foliage in no time if you set them free.

These plants belong to the Araceae family. Their leaves are evergreen, so you do not have to worry about fading leaves colors in the winter season when the plant becomes inactive.

Please treat your plant with special care in the winter season as its water and light requirements changes once they step into a colder environment. Detailed information regarding light and water requirements is provided in the caring tips section of this guide.

Philodendron Ilsemanii 1
Philodendron Ilsemanii – via Reddit

Characteristics of Philodendron Ilsemanii

Knowing your plant before buying is as important as caring, so make sure that you keep all the mentioned characteristics in mind before choosing this plant for your garden.

Foliage

They have bright green leaves with variegation. The variegation is stable in these plants, making them one of the most eye-catching plants of recent times. Every individual leaf has a different pattern of variegation, which sets a perfect contrast to enhance the overall look of the plant.

Height and width

Philodendrons can grow up to 3 to 20 feet in their growing season, so make sure that you provide them with enough space to spread themselves. The climbing nature allows them to extend their stems to reach and cover any medium placed near them, so you can utilize their ability to enhance the overall look of your room further.

Hardiness zones

These plants grow in hardiness zones 11 to 13. They prefer to grow under mildly warm temperatures but do not keep them under extreme climate conditions for too long as it can completely stop the growth of your precious plant.

Toxicity

They are toxic to pets and children, so make sure that you place them where your kids can’t reach the beautiful foliage of the plant. The consumption of leaves can cause irritation, swelling, and severe pain.

Please consult a doctor as soon as you notice your child or pet suffering from the symptoms mentioned. You can also train your pets not to consume the leaves of the plant and stay at a distance from them.

Philodendron Ilsemanii 2
Philodendron Ilsemanii – via Reddit

Caring tips for Philodendron Ilsemanii

Caring for Philodendrons is quite easy, but little knowledge about its basic requirements causes the plant to grow with various issues. To solve this problem, we have listed 8 caring tips to follow and make your plant flourish and thrive better than any other in your garden.

Sunlight

Keep the plant in direct sunlight for about two hours in the morning. Sunlight is less harsh in the early morning than the rest of the day.

After a couple of hours of morning sunlight, bring the plant inside and place it near a window where bright, indirect sunlight reaches the foliage. These plants can tolerate a maximum of 85 percent of sunlight exposure.

Soil

A slightly acidic soil that does not dry out quickly is ideal for your plant. We recommend that you use soil with high organic matter and fibers of sand and coconut.

A soil with a lot of nutrients will help the plant flourish and thrive in no time. Please make sure that you keep the pH of the soil between 5 and 7.

Water

We recommend you water the plant only if the top half of the soil feels dry. It would be best to water the plant more frequently in the summer season when it is actively growing and reduce the watering to every two weeks once the winter season arrives.

Please do not use extremely cold or hot water for your plant as it can cause discoloration of the leaves.

Temperature

A 55 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit temperature is ideal for these plants to grow healthy. An extremely cold temperature would wilt the leaves, so bring them inside the house in the winter season. Discoloration of the leaves also indicates that the plant requires a warmer temperature.

Humidity

A very high humidity level of 80 to 90 percent is recommended. However, it is quite difficult to get such high humidity levels inside a house, so we advise you to use a humidifier or fill a saucer with pebbles and water and place it under the plant’s pot to maintain humidity levels.

Fertilizer

Feed the plant every two weeks in the growing season with magnesium-rich fertilizer. Reduce the feeding in the winter season as it would do more harm than good.

Pruning

Pruning can encourage the growth of the leaves and make them look healthier with proper shaping. Remove the yellow leaves as soon as you detect them and trim the excessively grown ones. Make sure that you use thoroughly cleaned equipment before pruning your plant.

Pests and other diseases

Mealybugs and spider mites can make holes in the leaves of the plant. You can remove them with the help of soft cloth dipped in warm water, but make sure that you spray neem oil after you get rid of them to protect your plant from getting infected again.

Propagating Philodendron Ilsemanii

You can easily propagate your plant using the stem cutting method. There are a few tips that you can follow for the best results.

  • Leave a few leaves intact after you make a cut.
  • Cut the stem with a sharp and clean knife.
  • Place the cutting in water and keep it inside until the roots develop a few inches from the cut.
  • Please do not drown the leaves while treating the cut with water.
  • Plant the roots in the soil and water to keep them hydrated.

Conclusion

Philodendron Ilsemanii is an astonishing plant, but proper care would help it retain its beauty for a long time. For that reason, we have provided you with the best guide to keep your plant healthy and strong forever.