Are you looking for a beautiful low-maintenance plant for a small space? We are here with a suggestion; Philodendron Micans is your plant. This is a variety of hederaceum, botanically known as Philodendron hederaceum ‘Micans’. The small, velvety, heart-shaped leaves can be green, purple, or even rust, depending upon the availability of light.
The baby leaves further enhance the color around you by their pleasant pinkish borders. Grow the Mican Plant in hanging baskets, pots, or containers with supporting poles or hooks. Still with us? Keep reading to learn more about the Velvet-leaf Philodendron in detail.
Philodendron Micans Classification
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Philodendron.
Species: P.hederaceum.
Variety: Philodendron hederaceum ‘Micans’.
Philodendron Micans Common Names
This plant was formerly known as Philodendron scandens. Howbeit, this name is no more in use currently and is only known as a synonym.
- Heart-leaf Philodendron.
- Sweetheart Vine.
- Velvetleaf Philodendron.
These common plants are also associated with a few other plants including the Philodendron cordatum. However, both of these are different species and come from different parts of the world.
Features of the Philodendron Micans Plant
Size:
You will get different reports about the size of these perennial climbers. Basically, it depends upon the growing space and environment.
- Expect a length of 2.5 to 4 meters from these vining stems on maturity. Moreover, they can spread up to a width of about 50cm to 1meter.
- In confined spaces, you may observe them not growing more than about 12 inches in length.
- The closely growing foliage and nodes give a compact look to your Plant.
Leaves:
The heart-shaped pointed-tipped leaves can get about 8 to 12 cm and 6 cm wide long on maturity. Similarly, the leaves of the shorter ones remain around 3 inches in size.
Flowers:
These plants grow typical green and white Aroid flowers with spathes measuring around 15cm in length. They are fragrance-free and usually found in summer.
However, just like a large number of Philos, this one too blooms rarely, especially in the indoor plantation.
Toxicity:
Beware of the typical Philodendron toxicity. Higher levels of Calcium Oxalate in the foliage make it unsafe for us and animals. Close contact can cause skin allergies and rashes. Also, ingestion may lead to vomiting, nausea, and an upset stomach. Hence, keep an eye on kids and pets and don’t let them mingle with the plant.
Philodendron Micans Care
This is easy to grow and maintain, just like a typical philodendron. In addition, it is pretty suitable for all including beginners and those who can’t give much time and effort.
Quick Guide:
Water: Moderate (Water right after the upper layer gets dry)
Sunlight: The bright indirect sun.
Humidity: Love higher but tolerates lower levels
Fertilizer: Mild concentration in the growing season.
Without any ado, let us learn the requirements in detail;
Water Requirements
Moderate water requirements just like other members of the genus. Follow a simple strategy of watering the soil thoroughly. Afterwards, wait for the upper 2 inches to get dry before you water again. If you are a beginner, you can simply check the soil with your finger. The upper layer is almost equal to the first two knuckles. Don’t water, unless that soil feels dry.
The watering frequency varies with the weather, temperature, and sunlight availability. Plants in brighter light will require more water. Moreover, once a week is enough for the spring and summer. However, the soil gets dry quicker in the peak of the summer, wanting you to water about twice or thrice a week.
In winter, the plant’s activity and water requirements decrease prominently. So, watering the plant once every two to three weeks is sufficient for the cold days.
All the Philodendrons are highly intolerant towards over-watering. Wet and soggy soil may lead to root rot and fungus. Droopy leaves are one of the possible symptoms of over or under-watering. In case you find your foliage losing its vigour, reconsider and rectify the watering practice.
Sunlight Requirements
Bright indirect light is what your Philo Micans love. You can simply place the vine near a well-lit window. However, make sure the sun never touches the foliage directly as it can scorch out the foliage.
Soil Requirements
Choose a quick-draining soil for your plant. If you are a beginner or don’t want to do the mixing and hassle, getting a common houseplant mix from the market is a nice option.
Besides, sphagnum moss, soil-less mixtures like peat-vermiculite and peat-perlite are other good options.
Philodendron Micans Temperature Requirements
A moderate temperature is ideal for these plants. Moreover, they are super intolerant for colder temperatures. Keeping them below 55°F can freeze and even kill the plant. Thus, don’t forget to transfer your plants to some warm indoor spot before nature gets fierce in autumn.
Your comfortable room temperature is fine to keep your plant happy. To be precise, a range of 65 to 85 °F is ideal.
Humidity Requirements
These natives of the Caribbean and Mexico, love to stay in high humidity. Besides, they go pretty well with the average humidity levels.
In dry weather, your Philodendron Velvet will demand some extra care. You need to maintain an adequate moisture level by following any of the several methods. Mildly misting the plant every week is an easy method. Howbeit, make sure the plant is placed in a well-ventilated place. Foliage staying wet for longer hours can invite enemies like fungus, rot, and pest attacks.
You can also group a few plants to enhance the combined moisture level around them. Moreover, using a pebble-water tray under the pot or a room humidifier are other helpful options to ensure adequate humidity.
Fertilizer Requirement
Use a well-balanced houseplant fertilizer in moderate concentration once a month in spring and summer. These fertilizers are commonly available in the market.
Experts always advise using a low concentration preferably half of the stated dose. This helps to avoid excessive fertilizer usage which can scorch and even kill the plant.
The hassle of fertilizer just stays on the warm days. The dropping temperatures reduce the plant activity and consequently it’s nutrient requirement. Hence, don’t fertilize the vine after the end of the summer.
Pot Requirements
The vine is happy to stay in a medium-sized pot with drainage holes. If you are growing them in pots or containers, don’t forget to add a sphagnum moss pole in the pot. This will help your climber to nurture its nature and grow happily.
Re-potting Requirements
An average period of 2 years is fine to let the plant grow without needing to be repotted. However, you can refresh the soil annually to enhance growth.
Roots growing out from the drainage holes are another sign that your plant baby needs a new pot.
Pruning Requirements
Cut the damaged and unhealthy leaves to keep the plant look and grow healthy. Moreover, you can maintain the desired size and a nice shape by cutting the vines one in a while.
Philodendron Micans Propagation
Want to try making some more Philodendron Velvet plants to enhance your collection? Not much tricky, you can try the following methods;
- Stem-cuttings.
- Air layering.
Propagation by Stem-cuttings:
This is an easy and quick method as compared to the other ones. The time between mid-spring and mid-summer is the best to propagate these plants.
Method:
- Use sterilized shears to cut a 5 t 8 inches long stem from the plant. Make sure you are adding at least two nodes and leaves at the top. You can even remove some of the leaves from the lower ends.
- Moreover, it is better to take a few cuttings to ensure successful propagation. Now, plant these cuttings about 3 inches deep in moist, well-draining soil/growing medium. The nodes should stay under the soil.
- Place the pot in a warm place with indirect light.
- Keep watering the soil moderately every once or twice a week.
- Development of baby shoot after a period of 4 to 6 weeks will be there to bring a smile.
- You will eventually get a young Philodendron Micans after about 3 months. After that, you can simply follow the Philodendron Micans Care to keep your plant healthy.
Water Propagation:
- The majority of Philo plants are good to root in water. Many people prefer to plant the cuttings in water instead of the soil. Just don’t forget to change the water every week to avoid fungus and rotting.
- The first root will be seen after the initial month. Additionally, this will be followed by a little complete rooting system in 2 to 3 months. Now, you can simply plant them properly in your desired pot with the growing mixture.
Precautions: Wearing gloves before cutting and handling the Philodendrons is always recommended to avoid toxic reactions.
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Summary
Philodendron hederaceum Micans is an Aroid vine coming from the Caribbean and Mexico. This is a good choice for a low-maintenance vine with compact foliage, ideal for confined places. The plant can get about 2 to 4 meters in the 5 years of maturity. Leaves are heart-shaped with pointed tips and a velvety texture. Moreover, the amount of light available can make them grow in any color from dark-green, purplish, or brown.
Get some for your hanging baskets, pots, or containers with pole support. Moderate watering, indirect light, and humidity are what you have to provide for these plants. We cannot forget to mention the toxicity while summarizing. Kids and pets should not come in close contact with your Philodendron Micans Plant.
