Philodendron Majesty is a rare species of the genus Philodendron, the second biggest genus in the Araceae family after the genus Anthurium. In North America, Philodendrons are popular houseplants and garden plants. Their lengthy, rich crimson foliage will give a lot of beauty and appeal to your indoor spaces. It’s a cross of Philodendron Verrucosum and Philodendron Sodiroi and it exhibits the best of qualities of both of its parents.
Philodendron Majesty Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Sub-family: Aroideae
- Genus: Philodendron
Origin and Distribution
Philodendron Majesty itself is native to no area. In general, Philodendrons are indigenous to Central and South America, as well as the West Indies. They’re most commonly found as houseplants or in gardens.
They are also found in Australia, several pacific islands, Africa and Asia, despite the fact that they are not native to these areas and were imported or accidentally escaped.
Features of the Philodendron Majesty Plant
Foliage:
Philodendron Majesty is one of the very few Philodendrons with dark foliage to exist. It’s a climber with dark Maroon or Copper colored leaves that thrive in bright sunlight. The leaves have a triangular shape and are a little narrow and sharp. The leaves are usually 8 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide.
Size:
The mature plant’s size ranges from 8 feet to 100 feet with leaves that are 8 inches long and almost 4 inches wide.
Growth:
Philodendron majesty is a fast-growing plant. During its growing season, it can grow up to 10cm every week. It can reach a size ranging from 8 feet to 100 feet.
Toxicity:
Philodendrons contain up to 0.7 percent calcium oxalates. Although the consumption of its leaves is very unhealthy even if a person ingests them, the chances of it proving fatal are extremely low.
The symptoms are usually very mild and only appear if calcium oxalate is consumed in a large amount. General symptoms include increased salivation, a sensation of burning of the mouth, swelling of the tongue, stomatitis, dysphagia, an inability to speak, and edema. If the oil or the fluid of the plant comes in contact with the eyes, it can cause conjunctivitis.
Drought Tolerance:
Philodendron Majesty can go 2 to 3 weeks without getting water before it starts going dormant. The plant likes to be watered weekly after the soil has dried.
Maintenance:
Philodendron Majesty is a low-maintenance plant. It is the best plant to go for if you are a beginner or a busy gardener. The plant will itself tell you when it needs to be taken care of. It requires you only to take care of a few basic care requirements and your plant will be good to go.
Dormancy:
The plant does not like very cold weather and may go dormant if continuously kept under cold conditions. Philodendron Majesty thrives under temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Philodendron Majesty Care
The plant thrives when the soil is perpetually moist but it shouldn’t be soggy. Water your plant only when the top inch of the soil is dry. The plant cannot survive under cold temperature for a long period so it should be kept warm.
Fertilize your plant every six to eight weeks for best growth and place it under bright indirect sunlight. The temperature should be maintained between 55 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 40 to 80% should be maintained.
Quick Guide:
- Watering: Once a week.
- Soil Type: Well Draining Soil.
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade.
- Temperature: 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Humidity: 40 to 80%
- Fertilizer: Use balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer and fertilize after every 6 to 8 weeks.
Water Requirement
Watering plays a pivotal role in the growth of Philodendron Majesty. The plant thrives in soil that is perpetually moist but the soil shouldn’t get soggy or slushy. Water your plant only when the top inch of the soil is dry. Overwatering will damage your plant so make sure you don’t do that.
The growth of the plant automatically minimizes during the cold season so it wouldn’t require a lot of watering. If the leaves of your plant droop or start turning brown it means your plant isn’t getting sufficient water.
Soil Requirement
The plant prefers loose, organically rich potting soil. The soil should be well-draining. A potting mix of peat moss and perlite in equal amounts can be used. Another potting mix that can be used is to mix coco fiber with soil in a ratio of 1:1.
Sunlight Requirement
Black Majesty Philodendron grows excellently under bright indirect sunlight but it shouldn’t be getting excessive sunlight as it may cause the leaves to turn yellow. The older mature leaves of the plant change color to yellow naturally. Place it somewhere where it gets a lot of filtered sun.
Temperature Requirement
The plant grows excellently in a consistent temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the plant cannot survive in cold temperatures for long periods, if you live in an area where the weather is frequently below freezing then you should grow it as a potted plant indoors. It can resist higher temperatures if you water it regularly and keep the plant hydrated.
Humidity Requirement
Being a tropical plant, Philodendron Majesty loves high air humidity. It thrives under humidity levels ranging from 60 to 80%. To increase the humidity of your plant you should mist it from time to time or you could also use a humidifier to increase the relative humidity.
Fertilizer Requirement
You can fertilize your plant monthly during the summer or spring season as it grows best at that time using a balanced liquid home plant fertilizer that contains all the macro-nutrients that the plant needs.
During the winter or fall season, you can fertilize it after every six to eight weeks. If the leaves are smaller than what you anticipated or if the plant isn’t growing properly, it is due to the lack of fertilizer. Excessive fertilizer can cause the tips of the leaves to curl or turn brown.
Repotting Requirement
You will need to repot your plant when it outgrows its pot. Make sure the pot you choose is 2 inches larger. It should have proper drainage with clean stones and pebbles.
Repot your Philodendron Majesty before its active growth season begins during the winters or spring season. After you re-pot your plant you will need to water it thoroughly during the first few months but make sure it doesn’t get mushy.
Pruning Requirement
Pruning will prove beneficial for your philodendron black majesty plant as it will help in removing the damaged and old leaves, control the size of your plant and revitalize the growth of its leaves.
You can always shorten your plant whenever it becomes very long or leggy. The best time to prune your plant is during the early spring.
How to Propagate Your Philodendron Majesty
Here is a step by step guide on how to propagate your black majesty philodendron plant:
- Under the leaf node, cut the top of the stem, which should be at least 5 inches long at a 45-degree angle.
- Remove all the leaves from the lower area leaving only 2 or 3 leaves at the top.
- Cover the cuttings with a plastic bag and put them in a pot with a damp mixture of soil and perlite.
- Now place your pot in a place that is warm and lit.
- To ventilate the cuttings and maintain a balanced soil mixture, expose your plant to air every two to three days.
- You will see new roots developing in three to five weeks, remove the plastic cover immediately after you see a new leaf develop and now grow it as the adult plant.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Philodendron Majesty is a resistant plant that is not prone to diseases if it is kept under its favorable conditions but if the conditions aren’t favorable then some problems can occur which are:
Root Rot:
Root rot is caused by excessive water or water confinement. Take the plant out from the pot and examine the root system, if you detect an unpleasant decay odor that develops around the plant and the stem starts to discolor and lose its sturdiness. Remove all the damaged parts and place the plant in a new soil mixture.
Leaf Spot:
Leaf spot can be caused by over-exposure to the sun or by an excess of water. The leaves of the plant may go yellow. It can also be caused by fungal diseases transferred from other plants.
Pests:
The plant isn’t often attacked by pests but it isn’t pest-free. Like most of the plants, philodendron majesty is attacked by pests too.
Spider Mites:
Spider mites are little insects with brown markings around their leaves and a velvety web beneath them. They become noticeable if you spray them with water.
Spider mites can not damage the whole plant but can cause some ugly marks on leaves. To remove them clean the leaves with water and soap.
Thrips:
Although thrips rarely attack the plant still they are one of the most dangerous pests. They can cause the plant to go dry and the leaves may start to fall off.
Aphids:
Aphid is a type of pest that can travel from other species to your plant. They eat the sap from the cells and may cause the leaves of your plant to curl. They are usually present in the form of a cluster and are green and white in color.
You can use lukewarm water to wipe them if they aren’t too many but if they’re present in a large amount then you can use neem oil or a block of insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Philodendron Majesty
Where should I place my plant?
Black Majesty Philodendron thrives under medium bright sunlight. It does not like a lot of sunlight as it can cause its leaves to turn yellow so you should place it near a window where the sun rays cannot touch its foliage.
Is it a rare Philodendron species? Can I grow it as a beginner?
Yes, Philodendron Black Majesty is a rare species. It is a hybrid of its parent plants, Philodendron Verrucosum and Philodendron Sodiroi, and exhibits the qualities of both. Despite being a rare species it is a low maintenance plant. You only need to take care of a few basic care requirements.
Does this plant need repotting?
Yes, the adult plant needs to be repotted after every 3 to 4 years. Make sure you choose a 2 inch bigger pot when you’re transplanting. The young plant might need to be repotted every spring.
Conclusion
If you’re new to the world of gardening then Philo Majesty is one of the best plants to start your journey with. Despite being a rare plant it is one of the easiest to deal with plants.
It requires only a few basic care requirements which the plant will itself tell you when to perform and it’ll be thriving. The striking lengthy, rich crimson foliage will provide your indoor spaces with an exuberant look.
