Philodendron Micans | Features, How to Grow? Read the Guide
This vine, climbing plant – Philodendron micans is native to tropical regions and is easy to grow in Mexico and the Caribbean. This is a climbing plant that you may have come across in these regions. Velvety leaves, heart-shaped foliage, easy to grow, and less care-intensive make it a common house plant. It is also known as heartleaf philodendron for its velvet heart-shaped leaves.
They use aerial roots to cling to a pole or any surface and climb up. They can spread around in search of better light. This plant is not only gorgeous but easy to grow and requires less intensive care. Before going to know more about the planting features and care.
They are best for planting in hanging baskets or supports like totems like Vinca Vine. The leaves are dark green; thus, placing these hanging baskets with pink or orange walls all around will give a better look.
Features of Philodendron micans
The following table summarizes the features of Philodendrons
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hederaceus |
| Common Name | Philodendron micans Velvet-Leaf Philodendron, Micans, Velvets |
| Order | Alismatales |
| Family | Araceae |
| Native Region | Central America, North America |
| Plant type | Perennial, Climbing, VIne |
| Mature Plant Size | 8’ tall – 20’-24’ long |
| Soil Requirement | Loamy, well drained, moist soil with preferably acidic pH |
| Temperature Requirements | 70-85°F |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring to early Summer |
| Propagation | Cuttings (8-10 inches long) |
| Propagation Time | Early Spring |
| Hardiness Zone | 10-11 (10a, 11a, 10b, 11b) |
Care for Philodendron Micans | Guide
As we have discussed, it requires little care. This indoor plant rarely flowers in the contained environment and thus requires wild conditions for blooming. However, we will care for it in our homes to see the charming blooms. To behold its beauty, note the following aspects.
What Type of Soil is Required?
Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil favors this tropical plant a lot. If the Soil is laden with organic matter, it will favor growth. Moreover, if you can afford it, it is recommended to grow it in a container with potting soil mix. However, you can make potting soil mix at your home as well by adding potting Soil, orchid bark, perlite, pumice, fern fiber, and coco or peat moss in equal proportion.
Constituents of Soil Mix
- Potting Soil
- Orchid bark
- Perlite
- Coco or peat moss
- Fern Fibre
- Pumice
Note:
Add wood chips or coarse sand to the soil mixture for better drainage and aeration.
What are the Water Requirements?
Philodendron Micans are sensitive to the water availability. In flooded and over-watering conditions, they may die. So always irrigate it when needed. You can manually check the water requirements of the Philodendron Micans by observation.
- Temperature requirements for the plant when the top 2-3 inches of the Soil get dry.
- Check the water status of the leaves. If they are looking dry and wilted, rinse it.
Note:
Plant these vines in Terra-cotta pots (clay pots). This will help you deal with overwatering issues. Keep the Soil well moist but not soggy with over-watering.
Temperature Requirements
The Philodendrons are native to the tropical area, areas with high temperatures and relatively high humidity. They can survive in temperatures as high as 70-85°F. However, as an indoor plant, try to keep these plants in direct or indirect bright sunlight near the window. Temperature lower than 60°F will reduce their growth (stunted growth). Particularly, in the North, place the pot or hang the basket near the window.
Additionally, for higher levels of humidity (40-50%), use any humidifier or water sprayer for the plant. You can apply water spray to the leaves of the plant or keep the humidifier in the room for it.
Light Requirements
This climber is native to tropical areas, so it requires medium to high light intensity. However, bright indirect light can give you better results in the form of sprouting and blooming. High intensive light may cause burning of the young leaves, so keep them in light for only 5-6 hours a day.
The light intensity is important in giving color shade to the foliage. In bright and direct light, you will observe – a maroon shade of leaves, while low light will result in a deep green color. It is recommended to care for the light requirement as per the preference of the leaf color.
Fertilizer Requirements of Philodendron
In the first lines, we have talked about the care requirements. The plant requires less intensive care, and thus, there is no need to add extra fertilizers. However, you need to add a well-mixed proportion of all the soil mix components.
For better results, add potting Soil 1 part, orchid bark 1 part, perlite or decomposed leaves 1 part, and peat moss 1 part.
Trimming and Pruning
It is always recommended to keep a well-maintained stem-to-leaves ratio in the P. micans. It will help you get a healthy plant. To get rid of leggy and spreading foliage, prune your plant in the summer before the active period. These cuttings will act as a vegetative part for propagation.
How to Propagate Philodendron Micans?
The propagation of P. Micans is quite easy using stem cuttings, following the following simple steps to get healthy plants.
- Get a sharp scissor or shear.
- Use it to get cuttings from a health plant. Ensure that each cutting is 8-10 inches long and bears 4-5 leaves or nodes. Make cuttings with the top end horizontal cut and the lower end with a slant cut. This slant cut will help in burying the cuttings in the soil mix or water.
- Remove 3-4 lower leaves to expose nodes.
- Place the cuttings in soil mix or water with the leaves removed; the lower end is dipped in the water, and the top part is above the surface.
- Place the pot in bright sunlight.
- Roots will sprout from the cuttings in 2-3 weeks. Always check the water level in the pot.
- After 3 weeks, the roots will be 1-2 inches in length. It’s the time to transplant cuttings in the pot with soil medium.
- Add healthy Soil mixed with organic matter in the pot and rinse it. Make a hole add, cuttings in the hold, and press it to fix.
- Keep the Soil moist for 2-3 weeks to get a better start.
Pro Tip
Trim the plant under the node (nodules – swollen part) if you are going to use this cutting for propagation. This cut will increase the chances of sprouting in less than 7 days.
Pests and Disease of Philodendron Micans | Troubleshoots
As the plant loves moist Soil and humidity, there are greater chances of pest and disease attacks. The P. micans may face the following troubles.
Pests
House insects like Aphids, Mealybugs, and Scale may have attacked this house plant. It is suggested to observe the leaves to avoid severe attacks.
Fungus attack is the most common issue in the case of moisture-laden and humid environments with higher temperatures.
Leaf Curls
The plant loves water, and any deficiency can lead to the leaf curling. However, if you are providing sufficient water and the issue is still there, uproot the plant and observe its roots. If the roots are decaying or damaged, transfer the plant to water with balanced nutrients. This change will help the roots regrow, and the plant will get its healthy leaves back.
Note:
If the leaves are curling and not healthy, repeat steps 4-7 mentioned in How to Propagate.
Leaf Falling
Older leaves may fall in winter. You can also remove them while trimming and pruning. However, if the young leaves are falling and they are higher in number, you need to consider your irrigation schedule or the nutrient status of the Soil. Don’t let your plant run dry for even a single day.
However, avoid over-watering as it leads to mushy stems. Only try to irrigate less water to moisten only the upper 3-4 inches. Apply light but frequent irrigation.
FAQs
Is Philodendron micans pet-friendly?
The climbing vine is toxic to pets like cats and dogs. It is Foe for your domestic pets. It contains calcium oxalate that causes swelling on the tongue or in the stomach in case of eating. It also causes irritation on the skin or in the eyes when touched.
How do you compensate for the humidity of Philodendron micans?
P. micans are in love with higher levels of humidity. To compensate for this, you need a humidifier or a pebble tray with water to increase vapors and humidity in the vicinity. Moreover, placing a water tray under the plant pot may also serve the same. However, using a hand sprayer can only wet the leaves, and it is not a solution.
Why are new leaves of Philodendron spaced out and small?
Lack of proper light intensity and fertilization may result in leggy growth. Always check for all the recommendations in the “How to Care for Philodendron.
Which Philodendron is more expensive among the whole variety?
Philodendron ilsemanii is famous for its leaf shape and colors. it fetches higher prices compared to others.
What are the disadvantages of Philodendron Micans?
P. micans contains Calcium oxalates. These cause swelling on the tongue, irritation on the skin or in the eyes, and redness.
I’m Dr Qaiser Maqsood (PhD), a dedicated researcher and expert in Biological Sciences, Gardening, Bio-Diversity, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. I’m much concerned about Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Plantation, Gardening, and Global Warming. My passion is to explore innovative solutions in all these fields.
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