Philodendron is a popular genus and comprises a vast range of plants adaptable to both indoor and outdoor environments. Another popular broad-leaf philodendron is under discussion here, the Philodendron Brandtianum plant. This plant can grow in multiple forms. You can see it growing as an epiphyte, a hemiepiphyte, or a terrestrial plant. Interesting! Isn’t it? Let us learn more.
It has olive-green elongated heart-shaped leaves with plentiful and prominent silver or greyish-white striations. The juvenile leaves look colorful due to the orange hues which morph to the tones of dark-green and olive. Moreover, the fast-growing cascading climber is suitable for not so spacious places indoors and makes perfect hanging baskets and terrariums.
In addition, you can also make a beautiful terrestrial pot by making it climb on a supporting totem. In this article, we will share more information about the Brandtianum plant along with the Philodendron brandtianum Care.
Philodendron Brandtianum Classification
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Philodendron.
Species: P. brandtianum.
Common Names of Philodendron Brandtianum
- Silver leaf Philodendron. (Because of the white or silvery patches on the leaf surface.)
- Brandi Philodendron.
Growth Habit of The Philodendron Brandtianum
- The plants are tropical and perennial climbing vines.
- The Brandi Philodendron grows in multiple forms. You can see it as an epiphyte, a hemiepiphyte, and a terrestrial plant.
- This plant is much busier as compared to other philodendrons and leaves grow in a compact manner.
It is important to mention here, that features like plant height and leaf size are variable and depend upon the environment and growing conditions.
- In an indoor environment, the mature vine usually reaches a height of about 4 to 5 feet. However, in the wild, they can get much taller.
- The length of an average leaf is about 4 to 7 inches. While a mature leaf may get as long a up to 12 inches.
Philodendron Brandtianum Toxicity
We always advise you to keep your pets and kids away from the philodendrons. All the parts of the plant are toxic and lead to allergic reactions to ingestion.
Philodendron brandtianum Air Purification:
Apart from giving a decorative look to your living room, this plant will further benefit you as an air purifier.
P.brandtianum Vs. P. variifolium
Brandi Philodendron is often confused with another philodendron variifolium plant. While the latter is a type of Philodendron delitoideum, having three lobes.
Philodendron Brandtianum Care
This is one of the easiest-to-care plants and a good option for easy-going and beginner philodendron lovers. In this section, we will share the basic requirements of the Brandtianum plant.
Water Requirements
Just like other philodendrons, this plant needs frequent watering. In summer, you need to water mildly about thrice a week. However, on cold days, you can reduce the frequency to once a week.
Allow the upper layer of the soil to get dry before you water again. Moreover, always avoid overwatering.
Droopy and curly leaves are a possible sign of inadequate water supply.
Sunlight Requirements
One important part of Philodendron brandtianum Care is exposure to bright indirect sunlight. You can select a North or East facing window to place your plant. But, make sure the window is not blocked by external obstacles like huge buildings or some tree.
These plants will dwell well in partial shade as well.
Keep the plants away from long exposures to direct sun at peak hours, as it will burn the leaves.
Temperature Requirements
Philodendrons prefer warm and non-freezing climates. The optimum temperature ranges between 50 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit( 10 to 35 C).
One important fact! Try to shift the plants to some warm point in the winters. These plants are not much winter hardy, especially in colder zones.
Humidity Requirements
Above-average humidity levels are suitable for the P. brandtianum.
If you feel dryness in your atmosphere, try using some ways to increase humidity by misting or using a pebble-water tray.
Make sure the plant gets dry with god aeration. Long hours of wetness may lead to fungus or leaf rot.
Soil Requirements
A good quality, well-drained, and rich soil are suitable for the plant. Make sure the plant pot has a drainage hole at the base to allow drainage.
Fertilizer Requirement
Philodendrons are foodies. Thus, they show good results with a suitable fertilizer.
You can use a suitable house plant fertilizer once a month in the growing season. On the other hand, the plants don’t need much fertilizer in winter.
Pot Requirements
You need to select the pot according to your requirement.
This plant will dwell beautifully in hanging baskets, terrariums, and terrestrial pots.
Pruning and Repotting Requirement
You can remove a few leaves from the lower region to maintain the outlook and enhance plant growth. This will be enough once or twice a year.
Moreover, if you see that the plant is getting too compact, you should repot it in some larger pot.
Growth Zones
The plant is winter hardy in USDA growth zones 9 to 11.
Philodendron brandtianum Propagation
Air-layering and herbaceous stem-cuttings are popular methods used for the propagation of silver-leaf philodendron.
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Summary
P.brandtianum is a broadleaf philodendron vine, popular as a houseplant. The heart-shaped leaves have an orange tint with fades out as the leaves mature to get dark to olive green with silver or white mottling. These are fast-growing, low-maintenance, and bushy plants.
The cascading silver leaf philodendron is a good choice to form hanging baskets, terrariums, and terrestrial pots. To avoid the dangerous toxic effects, we always advise keeping the pets and kids away from the Philodendron brandtianum plant.
