Our planet is blessed with vast ranges of beautiful and unique plants. Each plant has its own specific nature and outlook. Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy is a rare yet popular hybrid houseplant admired and grown for its foliage. This Brazilian native plant is named after the landscape artist and rainforest conservation activist Roberto Burle Marx. Fantasy is an evergreen, slow-growing, tropical and perennial climber. It has beautiful dark or grayish-green leaves with prominent silvery gray venation.
In this article, we are sharing some interesting information regarding the un-researched Burle Marx Fantasy plant along with its propagation and estimated growth timeline.
Classification
The classification of the plant is mentioned below:
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Philodendron.
Cultivar: Burle Marx’s “Fantasy”.
Philodendrons are the second largest genus in their family Araceae. They are native to central and Southern regions and rainforests of America. They were officially introduced to the botanists of Europe after the mid of 16th century by Charles Plumier. However, they were already a part of folk art and medicine since the sixteenth century.
Philodendrons have large leaves and are popular as indoor plants. Indoors, the tallest varieties may reach up to a height of 3 meters. However, they can grow up to double this height in the wild environment. The total number of Philodendron species varies in different sources from 400 to 700. In 2015, the world checklist of elective plant families mentioned a total number of 489 species.
These plants are extensively hybridized to form a large number of varieties. On basis of growing habitat, philodendrons can be divided into climbers and non-climbers.
Climber Philodendrons:
The philodendrons with nature to climb up on nearby support are known as climbing or vining Philodendrons. Common examples include Blushing and Heart-leaf philodendrons.
Non Climber Philodendrons:
These plants don’t climb but grow in a horizontal direction and are called self-heading or non-trailing philodendrons. Common examples include Bird’s nest philodendron and Lacy tree philodendrons.
Foliage
The leaves of the plant are different in their juvenile and adult forms. However, the adult form of the plant is not very common. The reason is that the plant needs a long time span and a wide space to reach its mature form. Thus, this plant is commonly found in its young or form and you will rarely see a mature plant.
- In juvenile form, the leaves are small and elongated with a length of around 4 to 8 inches. These are dark green in color with prominent silvery gray web patterned veins. Sometimes these leaves have brownish spots as well.
- An average plant gets up to 12 to 20 inches in height.
- The plant grows well with support or driftwood to grow.
- It forms a perfect plant for terrariums and vivariums where the leaves don’t exceed 4 inches in general.
- The adult form of the plant has big bluish-green leaves with no prominent markings or webby veins. Mature leaves may grow up to 9 inches in length.
Difference between Burle Marx Fantasy and Burle Marx Plant:
These are two different plants often confused due to similarity in names. Philodendron Burle Marx is a plant with a similar origin but a different appearance. It is a large plant with big, shiny, dark green leaves with a shape somewhat like the elephant ears.
Toxicity
Like the majority of philodendrons, fantasy philodendron is also toxic in nature. Ingestion of any part of this plant may lead to ulceration of the throat and esophagus. Thus, we advise you to keep your pets and kids away from this plant.
Burle Marx Fantasy Care
How to take care of the Burle Marx Fantasy Plant is a common question. This is an easy to grow and low maintenance plant. In this section, we are sharing the basic requirements of the plant.
Water Requirements:
These plants need water in average quantity. Thrice a week watering is a suitable frequency in summer. However, in winter you may reduce it to once a week in summer-winter. Always check that the top 2 inches of the soil should be dry before watering the plant again.
Over-watering may lead to plant issues like discoloration, fungus, and root rot.
Humidity Requirements:
The philodendrons are adaptive to a range of humidity levels. Thus, this plant is resistant to a variety of humidity levels. However, it will show healthy foliage in humid environments.
Substrate Requirements:
The plants prefer well-drained soil. Their roots usually like something to grip upon. Thus, putting a cork or post shows better results in the growth of these plants.
Sunlight Requirements:
Philodendrons are adaptive towards bright indirect light and a warm environment. If you are thinking about where to place your Burle Fantasy plant, then select a place with partial shade or indirect light.
Temperature Requirements:
These plants prefer warm temperatures. Optimum temperature ranges for the plant are 18 to 30 degrees centigrade.
Fertilizer Requirements:
To enhance growth, you can add some suitable house plant fertilizer. Furthermore, you can use all-purpose fertilizer in its liquid form. A slow-release fertilizer that is available in the form of small beads is also a good option.
Growth Zones:
The plant thrives best in the USDA Zone 10 to 11.
Zone 10a: to -1.1 degrees centigrade.
10b: 1.7 degrees centigrade.
Zone 11: Above 45 degrees centigrade.
Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy Propagation
Just like the other members of the genus Philodendron, these plants are also easy to propagate. Spring and early summer are suitable seasons for the propagation of these plants.
Common methods of propagation include;
- Herbaceous Stem Cuttings.
- Air layering.
Propagation by Cutting:
This is a common method used to get new plants in this genus. Important steps are as under:
- Cut about 6 inches from a part of the stem. Check for tiny bumps on the stem, the nodes. Don’t forget to cut a little lower (about ¼ of an inch) from the nodes. It is better to take the cutting from the tip of plants. Always make sure you use a sharp knife or shears for this cutting purpose.
- Remove the leaves from the upper region of the stem cutting except two to three of them.
- Now put the stem inside the moist soil or water. Make sure you keep the leaves upright and out of the jar. At least one of the nodes should be submerged inside the growing medium.
- The growing medium can be soil or simple tap water in a jar. In the case of water propagation, it is better to plant after keeping the jar for one night. It will let the chlorine settle down.
- Now put the jar with the cutting in warm temperature and low-intensity indirect sunlight. Partial shade is also suitable. A temperature range of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is optimum for root formation.
- Roots will sprout out in about 2 to 4 weeks.
Propagation by Air Layering:
This is a common method for the cultivation of vines. We are giving a brief explanation of the method below:
- Cut the stem of a healthy plant at an upward angle just below a node. Makes sure it is just a cut and you don’t sever the stem completely.
- Now wedge opens the cut using a wooden toothpick and covers the cut with soil or moss.
- You can also add a little quantity of growth hormone in the cut before the soil. This will enhance the process.
- The node is then placed in a small bag of moist soil and tied. You can also use moist sphagnum moss in place of soil. The stem remains attached to the plant.
- Roots and shoots start emerging from the layered stem. Now remove the soil bag and cut the layered stem from the parent plant to transfer it to a separate pot.
Note:
Please make sure you use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after handling the plant. This is important to avoid any kind of toxic effects on your body.
Burle Marx Fantasy Timeline
We are sharing an estimated guide about the growth pattern of the slow-growing plant. However, the growing frequency of plants varies among individual plants. Additionally, it depends upon many factors including the soil type, weather, light, and humidity. Thus, you need to keep observing the plant and adjust the requirements accordingly.
- Day 1: Planting a stem cutting or a layered plant to the growth medium.
- Day 3 – Day 20: Provide slightly warm and indirect low light. In water, the cutting does not need any further care at this step. However, in case of soil propagation of the cuttings or baby plant from the layering, you need to keep the soil slightly moist.
- Day 20 – Day 50: Keep the baby plant under observation. Provide water according to the soil conditions.
- Day 50 – Day 90: Roots and shoot will start coming from the cutting. In the case of the baby plant from layering, roots will be already developed and tiny leaves will emerge. In water propagation, you can see the roots in water. The baby plant at this stage still needs your attention.
- Day 90: In case of water propagation, you can transfer the water plant to the soil by now.
- Day 90 – Day 170: (the plant is growing) New leaves would be grown. Plant height and strength should be enhancing. The watering frequency of soil-plant can be twice or thrice a week at this stage. This should be according to the soil condition. The top 3 inches of soil should be slightly dry. You can add a little quantity of mild fertilizer as well. Avoid over-fertilizing.
- Day 170 – Day 190: (Plant is getting stable) The plant does not need much attention now. Just provide the basic requirements of light, temperature, and water.
- Day 190 – Day 300(first winter): In winter it is better to transfer the plant in to warm region. Decrease the watering routine to twice a month or according to the soil conditions.
- Day 300 – DAY 350 (spring): in this season, you will notice quick and rich growth. The plant is beautifully growing up and becoming decorative. You can now add suitable fertilizer and increase watering to thrice a week.
- Day 350 onwards (summer): In Hot Summer days, never forget to provide adequate water supply. Watering on alternate days is a good frequency. However, you need to consider the soil condition as well. By this stage, many of the baby leaves will be turning into the typical, elongated bluish-green leaves. Now, simply fulfilling the typical basic requirements of the plant is enough. We always recommend having a monthly close examination for better plant health.
Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy for Sale
Are you looking for a Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy plant? These plants are popular houseplants and in high demand. You can easily get them from online nurseries. These rare plants sometimes get short on many online selling platforms.
Conclusion
The beautiful Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy is a slow-growing, low maintenance, and rare philodendron. It is an admired attractive houseplant and has elongated bluish-green leaves with prominent gray veins and sometimes spotted patterns. These are attractive enough to decorate any corner of your house.
