Philodendron Florida Bronze is a cross-breed plant that is created from the cross of Philodendron Florida and Philodendron black cardinal. This hybrid plant has sword-shaped leaves. As the leaves mature, their color changes from brown to grassy green. However, the petioles are dark red. You can grow this evergreen plant in your home to add to the beauty of nature. Let’s talk about the plant in detail.
Classification of Philodendron Florida Bronze
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Genus: Philodendron
Origin of Philodendron Florida Bronze
The first experiment of cross-breeding of this plant took place in America. But now, you can see it across the world, mostly in tropical regions.
Appearance
The appearance of Philodendron Florida Bronze includes:
Leaves: The plant produces bronze to orange color leaves that are of sword shape. Later on, the color turns green as the leaves mature.
Petioles: Petioles are dark red to crimson color.
Size: The full plant height is 18 to 30 inches.
Features of Philodendron Florida Bronze Plant
Following are some basic features of Philodendron Florida Bronze:
Growth rate
This plant grows fast as compared to other Philodendron hybrids. Within 1 to 2 years, it becomes double in size. In addition, the leaves are produced every month.
Drought tolerance
This is one of its best features that it is drought-resistant. It can survive in low watering conditions. So, don’t worry if you are at a job and don’t have enough time to see the watering daily.
Toxicity
The plant is toxic and harmful to toddlers and pets. So, you must place it where nibbling pets and young ones can’t reach. If they ingest it in a large amount, the leaves can cause irritation and GI tract problems.
Philodendron Florida Bronze Care
If you are fond of Philodendron Florida Bronze and want to grow it in your home or garden, there are certain things you must keep in mind. These points will keep your plant healthy and evergreen.
The plant doesn’t need daily water rather give it water weekly. Plant it in a loamy potting mix that must be well-drained. To keep the growth good, fertilize the plant three times a year. Remember, it is better to use balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Quick Care Guide
Watering: Once a week
Soil type: Loamy potting mix, well-drained
Sunlight: Indirect sunlight, medium to bright
Temperature: 15°C to 27°C
Humidity: Above 60%
Fertilizer: Houseplant fertilizer, three times a year
Repotting: Every 2-3 years
Watering Requirements
Philodendron Florida Bronze doesn’t need much water to grow. Remember, the topsoil of the plant should be dry between waterings. See if the topsoil of about 2 inches is dry, then give water.
However, watering also matters according to the season. For example, in the spring season, you can water once a week. In summer, give water two times a week. While in the winters, water it after 10 days. In addition, lukewarm distilled water is best for this plant to keep it healthy.
Soil Requirements
The loamy potting mix that is the mixture of clay, sand, and, silt is the best soil for this plant. It drains excess water but retains moisture.
You can have a second option to grow the plant and that is sphagnum peat moss which is best for indoor plants. This lightweight mixture holds nutrients that are necessary for the plants.
Sunlight Requirements
Philodendron Florida Bronze needs medium to bright sunlight that should be indirect otherwise leaves would be withered. Meanwhile, the plant doesn’t bear low light that is below the medium point.
It slows down the growth of the plant. If the plant is placed where enough light is not possible, you can arrange artificial lights to fulfill the need of the plant.
Temperature Requirements
The normal range of temperature for this plant is 15°C to 27°C. In the extreme seasons of summer and winter, the leaves can be dropped. So, you have to maintain the temperature for it. It does not mean arranging fans or heaters near the plant to increase or decrease room temperature. However, you can place it in the greenhouse.
Humidity Requirements
Humidity in the air keeps the leaves fresh and healthy. However, if your plant is placed in the room, you have to maintain the humidity or moisture. Normally, more than 60% humidity is a must for this plant to stay healthy.
In tropical areas, it is easy to maintain humidity levels. In extreme winters or summers when dry winds blow, the humidity level decreases which is harmful to the plants.
In these situations, keep misting the plant so that it may not dry. If you do a job and can’t mist your plant more often, you can place water in a bowl near the plant. It will increase the humidity level in the air and doesn’t allow plants to dry.
Fertilizer Requirements
Philodendron Florida Bronze needs fertilizer three times a year. Never compromise the quality of fertilizer. The reason is that cheap fertilizer proves harmful to the plants as it forms salt that damages the plants.
Before fertilizing, give water to the plant properly so that the moist soil saves the roots from damage due to the impact of chemicals.
It is better to dilute the fertilizer before applying the plant. Keep the fertilizer about 6 inches away from the bottom so that it cannot reach the roots.
Pruning Requirements
People keep pruning their plants to make them more attractive and impressive. But Philodendron Florida Bronze doesn’t need it because it is already beautiful in its natural shape. However, if you see the leaves dropping in the plant, clean them. Moreover, if the leaves fade away and turn their color yellow, cut them so that new leaves can grow fast.
Repotting Requirements
The plant is repotted when it grows enough to take up all the space in the pot. You can observe the signs when the plant needs repotting. If the roots reach out of the bottom hole of the pot, it is time to change its pot. Take a larger pot and shift your plant there with fresh soil.
Propagation of Philodendron Florida Bronze
If you have not propagated Philo ever, below are some guidelines you can concern before experiencing this activity:
- Take pruning shears or a sharp knife and sterilize it with alcohol.
- Take a healthy plant and cut its stem by 3-4 inches. The stem must have one leaf and two nodes one on its top and the other at the base.
- Now spray at the point where the stem is taken.
- Put the stem in water for a week and change its water daily.
- Within a week or two, you will see new roots producing from the stem.
- Wait until roots reach 3 cm long then take a small container and plant this stem into the potting soil.
- After 2 to 3 months, the cutting will grow and become a mature plant.
- You can take more than one stems from the mother plant and propagate many plants simultaneously.
Maintenance
The good thing about this plant is that it needs low maintenance. However, in the winter season, it can become dormant if the temperature is below 12°C. Another cause of dormancy is low light. To avoid this, keep the plant in a warmer place where light exposure is enough.
Philodendron Florida Bronze Problems and Their Solutions
If you grow this plant at your home or office, you can face the following problems. But don’t worry, we are here to tell you the solutions as well:
Pests
Your plant can get affected by mealybugs which are sap-sucking pests. They suck all the nutrients and make the plant weak and unhealthy.
They are normally found on the underside of foliage. Mealybugs are white and look like cotton substances. When the humidity in wind is high, the chance of these pests increases.
Solution: If you see mealybugs on your plant, rub alcohol or neem oil on the leaves.
Disease
The common disease of Philo plants is fire blight in which the leaves and stems turn their color black or brown.
Solution: There is no treatment for this fire blight except cutting the infected areas of the plant so that the disease can’t spread anymore. Additionally, if you practice the precautions so that your plant can be safe from this disease. For example, make sure that the knife or pruning shears are sterilized before they use for cutting the plant. It will keep the plant safe from infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this plant different from Philodendron Florida Ghost?
Both plants are different in variety. For instance, the leaves of the Bronze are orange when they produce and then turn green as they mature. While in Ghost Philo, the leaves are glossy-green when produce and remain the same even after maturation.
Why do the leaves of my plant turn brown?
It happens in the low humidity season. To avoid it, place water in a bowl near your plant to increase the humidity around it.
How can this plant remain healthy if I place it inside the room?
The room temperature should be normal with medium humidity. There must be enough light necessary for the plant and don’t give excessive water to the plant.
Summary
Philodendron Florida Bronze is a hybrid plant with beautiful leaves. It needs low maintenance and grows very fast. However, you should take care of the plant to protect it from pests as well as infections. It is a toxic plant so, take care of your toddlers and pets if you plant it inside your home.
