Philodendron Care: Light, Water, Pets and Yellow Leaves
Philodendron 'Congo' and relatives
Philodendrons come in climbing and upright forms. The Congo is upright and bushy, which is why it works as a floor plant, while heartleaf types trail from shelves.
How to care for a philodendron
Philodendrons like medium to bright indirect light. They tolerate lower light but grow thinner. Direct sun can scorch the broad leaves.
The Congo grows as a self-supporting, bushy plant with large, glossy leaves, so it fills a planter without a stake. Wipe the leaves occasionally, and give it room to spread.
Where a philodendron works
Lower light
It tolerates it, but growth gets thinner.
Medium to bright light
The best growth and the fullest leaves.
Direct sun
Direct sun can scorch the broad leaves.
How often to water a philodendron
Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, typically every 1 to 2 weeks, and let the excess drain. Soil that stays wet leads to yellow leaves and root problems.
Why philodendron leaves turn yellow
Yellow leaves are most often from overwatering. Lower leaves can also yellow as they age, which is normal for a few at a time.
Pale, stretched growth means the plant wants more light, and brown edges can come from dry air or inconsistent watering.
Pots, drainage and water
The Congo grows bushy and wide, so it fills a planter fast. Drainage keeps all that foliage supported by healthy roots.
- Rocks on a pot collar hide the rim of the liner and the soil line.
- The plant stays in its liner, a nursery pot with drainage holes, so water can leave the soil.
- A filler under the liner sets the height so the rim sits just below the top of the decorative pot.
- The decorative pot has no hole. Water that drains from the liner collects here, and has to be emptied.
My pot has no drainage hole. How do I water?
Use a liner with holes inside the decorative pot. Water at a sink, let it drain, and return it.
Yellow leaves, and the soil is wet.
Overwatering is the usual cause. Check that the liner drains and empty the outer pot.
How big should the pot be?
Philodendron Congo fills a planter, so choose one that allows growth. Go up one size when roots fill the liner.
Does it need a stake?
No. The Congo is self-supporting. A heavy pot keeps it stable.
Is a philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
Philodendrons are toxic to cats and dogs. The leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. Keep them out of reach. Pet-safety information here follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Philodendron in offices
Philodendron Congo fills a planter without a stake, which makes it easy to place in shared spaces.
In the plant list for a recent office install of about 120 planters, about 8 philodendron Congo were listed, mostly 14 inch.
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Plants for Friends designs, installs and maintains interior plants for commercial spaces and homes across San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles County. Every project starts with a walkthrough of the actual space, light, scale, traffic and access, before anything is chosen.
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