The Philodendron chinchamayense is an aesthetically pleasing species of Philodendrons. In fact, this species is one of the smallest variations of Philodendron. This species of Philodendron is native to South America and are commonly spotted in many countries. For instance Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, etc.
The Philodendron chinchamayense has dark green and lance-like leaves that grow up to 12 inches in length and gives rise to tiny white flowers. The leaves are quite delicate.
Under suitable conditions, these beautiful plants are relatively easier to look after. They generally require low humidity levels as compared to other species of Philodendrons.
Due to their low maintenance, these plants are quite a popular choice for indoor gardens. However many people also grow them in terrariums or a greenhouse. Read this article to know more about this plant and how to look after it properly.
Philodendron Chinchamayense Classification
Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
History
The Philodendron chinchamayense is one of the 489 species of Philodendron and is native to the tropical regions of South America. In 1913, a german botanist K. Krause described it. This species belongs to the family Araceae and subfamily Aroideae.
Features of the Philodendron Chinchamayense Plant
Structure
It is one of the smallest varieties of Philodendron species, having glossy bright green leaves. The leaves are large and narrow and are spirally arranged on a stem.
Furthermore, this plant also gives rise to tiny white flowers that bloom all around the year. These plants are extremely eye-catching and become an attractive addition to homes, offices, or even outdoor gardens.
Size
This tropical plant has pointed, lance-shaped leaves. If kept indoors this plant can reach up to 4 inches in length. However, in its natural habitat, and under suitable conditions, the Philodendron chinchamayense is reported to grow comparatively bigger. In the wild, the leaves of this tropical plant grow about 10 inches in length.
These plants grow at a relatively slower pace and they can either be terrestrial as well as epiphytic. It simply means that these plants can either live on land planted in soil or they can live as air plants, taking support from other structures or plants.
Leaves
The Philodendron chinchamayense possesses large, narrow, and bright green leaves that are arranged spirally around the stem. They are glossy, elongated, and tend to reach up to 2 feet long.
Flowers
This species of Philodendron gives rise to tiny, white flowers that bloom all around the year. Generally, this tropical beauty is quite easier to look after and can tolerate many climates.
Due to its aesthetic appearance, this tiny plant can make an extraordinary addition to any house or office as an indoor plant, or even in the garden as an outdoor plant.
Toxicity
It is a toxic plant that must be handled with great care. This tropical plant is packed with calcium oxalate crystals, therefore, making the plant toxic.
All parts of this plant are toxic and thus, the plant should not be mishandled. If any member of your family or your pet consumes this plant, then seek medical attention as soon as you can.
Symptoms that are caused due to ingestion of this plant involve oral pain, drooling, nausea, skin irritations, vomiting, and swelling of the throat, mouth, and tongue.
Dormancy
Unlike other Philodendrons, the species “Philodendron chinchamayense” does not enter into a dormancy period. This means that these plants can grow throughout the year.
Philodendron Chinchamayense Care
The Philodendron chinchamayense is relatively easier to look after. Their care mainly includes watering the plant sufficiently and placing the plant in an area having proper access to bright and indirect sunlight.
Aside from its eye-catching appearance, do you know that this tropical beauty also creates an aura of brightness that can make your home look bright and well-lit? Furthermore, this species of Philodendron also acts as an air purifier. There are numerous benefits of keeping this plant.
These tropical species do not need good amounts of water to survive they can survive in drought conditions as well. Although, they do need an area having high levels of humidity to thrive.
Quick Care Guide
- Water: Have relatively low water requirements.
- Soil: Prefers to grow in sandy and light soil
- Light: Similar to all Philodendrons, it requires bright yet indirect sunlight.
- Fertilizer: It generally does not require fertilizer. However, you can use water-based fertilizer after every 2 to 4 weeks.
- Humidity: Approximately about 60 percent to 80 percent.
- Pruning: As needed
- Repotting: It is a slow-growing plant and does not need frequent re-potting.
- Temperature About 65 degrees Fahrenheit up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water Requirement
These small plants have very little water requirements. It is surely, one of the most unchallenging species to look after. These plants tend to grow well in both high water as well as low water environments.
Sunlight Requirement
These species of Philodendron also prefer to grow in bright and indirect sunlight. Even though this species prefers to thrive in sunlight, it can be grown in a shaded environment as well.
Soil Requirement
This tropical plant grows in numerous types of soil. However, it thrives well in sandy and light soil. Due to its ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions, it can also grow in soils that are alkaline or acidic.
Temperature Requirement
Philodendron chinchamayense flourishes well in temperatures ranging from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a plant having minimum requirements therefore, it can also tolerate warmer or cooler temperatures. Although, it will not thrive well in such temperatures.
Humidity Requirement
This beautiful Philodendron prefers to grow in an area having high levels of humidity. This plant thrives well in the environment having approximately 50 percent to 70 percent humidity. However, it can tolerate higher or lower levels of humidity as well.
Fertilizer Requirement
These species do not require to be fertilized regularly. If you wish to fertilize your plant, then you can fertilize it after every 2 to 4 weeks using a balanced and water-soluble fertilizer.
Repotting Requirement
As mentioned earlier, these plants grow at a relatively slower pace, therefore, it does not need frequent re-potting as compared to other Philodendrons. If your plant has outgrown its pot or the pot becomes broken, then you can re-pot your Philodendron. To re-pot Philodendron chinchamayense, follow the below-given instructions carefully.
- Gently take out the plant from its current pot.
- Remove any dead or damaged leaves with the help of a sharp pair of scissors or knives.
- Repot the plant in a larger pot and use light and sandy soil.
- Water the plant.
Pruning Requirement
As slow-growing Philodendrons, these species do not require to be pruned regularly. However, you can always prune your plant whenever you feel the need. Remove any wilted or dead leaves to make your plant look healthy and fresh.
Philodendron Chinchamayense Propagation
If you desire to propagate your Philodendron chinchamayense, then there are certain methods that can be used. For instance, they can be propagated either by planting seeds, through stem cuttings, etc.
In order to perform propagation through stem cuttings, follow the below-given instructions carefully.
- Take a pot and fill it with soil.
- Remove a healthy stem from your Philodendron chinchamayense using a sharp pair of scissors or knives.
- Make sure that the cutting has two or more leaves on it.
- Remove the leaves from your graft.
- Soak the cutting in water for about half an hour.
- After removing it from the water, place your cuttings in a rooting hormone and plant them in a pot of soil.
- Cover the pot using a tight plastic bag in order to provide your cutting with a greenhouse effect.
- In about 2 to 4 weeks, roots will start to emerge from your cutting.
Summary
The Philodendron chinchamayense is a drought-tolerant, tropical plant that is native to South America. Luckily, this plant has very low requirements and can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
This species of Philodendrons removes the toxins from its surroundings and therefore, makes it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to inhabit a healthy atmosphere.
Being able to survive in more or less any condition, this plant is a highly sought-after species of Philodendron due to its being extremely low maintenance. It is a low-maintenance gem that needs minimum care.
