The Philodendron Patriciae is an epiphytic aroid native to Choco, Colombia, where it typically grows in rain forests. The leaves of this plant are undoubtedly their most fascinating feature. These heavily textured structures beautifully drop down from the plant’s stems like drapes.
Each leaf is about 48 inches in length and sports rippled, dark green leaves that form an unparalleled spectacle in any setting they are planted in. This plant is for you if you collect rare plants of exceptional appearance for your home garden.
Main Characteristics of the Philodendron Patriciae Plant
Bloom
Generally, the Philodendron Patriciae do not bloom any flowers. However, some of these plants grow inflorescences, clusters of horizontally arranged flowers. However, it takes a good 3 or 4 years for this plant to show any such growth.
The inflorescences start as a shade of pale green that gradually transforms into a pink colour which may further morph into a shade of red or orange over time.
Growth
These plants are relatively easy to grow and maintain. Just make sure no environmental condition is taken to an extreme, and you’re good to go; the Philodendron Patriciae can pretty much take care of most of its needs once it has properly established itself.
Under proper care, the plant’s leaves can grow up to a staggering 48 inches in length and 11 inches in spread.
How to take care of your Philodendron Patriciae (5 tips)
Soil Needs
A plant’s overall health is deeply impacted by the kind of soil it is placed in. The Philodendron Patriciae is no exception to this rule.
For optimal growth, it is absolutely essential that you place this plant in soil with proper drainage that provides your plant’s roots to breathe and does not allow for waterlogging.
We recommend the use of moist, arable soil, which is slightly acidic in pH (5 – 6). You can easily make your own perfect soil mix for your Philodendron Patriciae plant by adding ingredients like compost and moss (or, alternatively, peat).
The ideal soil mix will have about 30 % potting soil and 40 Orchid bark and Charcoal. A soil of this composition is bound to meet your plant’s soil needs.
Water
A plant’s watering needs are arguably the most essential to its growth. So, it is really important that you pay attention to this section and make sure you understand how much you should water your Philodendron Patriciae plant.
The Philodendron Patriciae are typically found in rain forests. Despite this fact, though, these plants do not handle overwatering well at all. When overwatered or kept in waterlogged soil for prolonged periods, their oxygen supply risks being cut off, and their roots may begin to rot.
The Golden rule for watering your Philodendron Patriciae is to exercise moderation. Typically, watering these plants once a week should be fine.
However, as with any other plant, you must always stay vigilant and look at what your plant is trying to tell you. If you see signs of underwatering, you must water your plant with a greater frequency. If not, watering them once a week is usually sufficient.
Lighting needs
Much like other Philodendron varieties, the Philodendron Patriciae is also a natural climber that grows tall towards sunlight in its natural environment.
Typically, keeping your plant exposed to bright, indirect sunlight should do just fine in meeting its lighting requirements.
If you can not find such a place outdoors, don’t worry. Your plant -with its large leaves rich with Chlorophyll, is well adapted to surviving in different lighting conditions.
If you want to grow this plant indoors, though, we recommend you place it near a large window covered by a thin curtain that allows light in.
Whatever you do, do not expose your Philodendron Patriciae to direct sunlight, or its leaves will scorch.
Temperature needs
Meeting your plant’s temperature requirements can be crucial to its proper growth. If kept in extremely high temperatures for prolonged periods, your plant can suffer from heat stress and become prone to infectious attacks and diseases.
Optimally, your plant’s surrounding temperature must be kept below 32 degrees Celsius at all times. If you live in regions with extremely hot climates, it is best to transfer these plants indoors during summers, where they can be kept in cooler environments.
The Philodendron Patriciae are also frost-sensitive. Temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius may result in long-lasting internal damage to your plant. So, the key (if you want to play safe) is to keep the surrounding temperature hovering between 17 – 31 degrees Celsius.
Humidity
As we mentioned earlier, the Philodendron Patriciae are native to rainforests. This means that they are adapted to high levels of surrounding humidity.
Optimally, your aim should be to keep the surrounding humidity level at or above 75% for proper growth of its foliage. Of course, if you can attain a higher level of humidity, you should definitely go for it. Your Philodendron Patriciae will surely thank you for it.
However, you must try never to let the humidity level fall below 75%, or your plant will experience stunted growth.
How to propagate a Philodendron Patriciae Plant indoors
In this section, we will discuss 2 different ways you can easily propagate your Philodendron Patriciae plant indoors. These are, namely:
- Propagation of Philodendron Patriciae using soil.
- Propagation of Philodendron Patriciae using water.
Soil Propagation Method
This is considered to be the most popular way to propagate your Philodendron Patriciae. Here are the steps:
- Start by sanitizing your equipment
- Then, chop off a healthy piece of an existing Philodendron Patriciae mother plant.
- Take your branch cutting and make an angled cut on it such that you still have around 4 to 5 leaves intact.
- Place your cutting in a nutritious soil mix that drains well (a mix of manure or sphagnum moss should do the trick).
- Observe your plant as it shows signs of growth after about 2 weeks.
Water Propagation Method
Here are the steps:
- Start by taking a branch cutting the same way you did for the soil propagation method (outlined above).
- Place your cutting into a transparent jar with clean water.
- An added benefit of propagating using a transparent container is that you will be able to observe as your plant’s roots develop.
- Now, wait for a couple of weeks and let nature do its trick.
Summary
The Philodendron Patriciae are rare epiphytic plants with exceptionally long leaves that drape down on the plant like curtains. Overall, these plants can pretty much thrive in most environments once they’ve established themselves.
However, if you want to optimize their growth, keep the soil nutritious and well-draining, water them once a week, make sure the surrounding temperature is between 17 – 31 degrees Celsius, and that the surrounding humidity is always above 75%.
To Propagate this plant, you may use the 2 methods we’ve outlined above, namely:
- propagation via soil, and
- propagation via water.