Do we all not love statement species that add an aesthetic element to our patios, balconies, or even drawing rooms? Well, from the family of Aracaea and the very famous genus, the Philodendron, you will find a plant that attracts anyone by its appealing look. Every plant-lover can relate to the fact that if a plant is stunning, low-maintenance, and not widely seen in every other person’s home, that is a perfect adoption choice.
Let’s welcome a very attractive and friendly Plant, Philodendron Paraiso Verde. It belongs to the tropical region of America and the West indies. They are usually seen growing under the shade of tall, tropical trees or on river banks. However, they are also perfect indoor plants since they do not demand a very specific environment to grow in.
It seems like this plant is fascinating to you. If you keep reading, you will get amazed by many jaw-dropping facts about the genus Philodendron as well as this particular Philo.
Philodendron Paraiso Verde classification
Family: Arum
Subfamily: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Genus Philodendron:
In the family of Araceae, the genus of Philodendron is the largest flowering plants genus with about 500 species. The breakup of the Greek word Philodendron is ‘Philo’ meaning love and ‘dendron’ meaning tree. This genus of ornamental, house-plants is epiphytic or Hemi-epiphytic.
Do you want to know what is so unique about Philodendrons? They do not have a single kind of leaf but instead, they have leaves of different variations. Some are oval-shaped, some heart-shaped.
Charles plumier was the one who classified this genus. Years later in 1829, Heinrich Wilhem named this genus Philodendron. All philos have beautiful foliage and are in different shapes and sizes.
Are you interested in learning about one of the Philodendrons, the Philodendron Paraiso Verde? You surely are. Let’s learn about this Phil and dig deep into how to help it grow into a healthy, happy plant.
Features of the Philodendron Paraiso Verde Plant
Size:
The pace of growth of these philos highly depends on the conditions they are growing in. The initial sprouting appears after few weeks only. If the environment is suitable enough, they can get mature within few months only. However, your priority should be healthy growth.
This tropical plant can grow up to 15 inches maximum when it is provided with excellent care. The growth is not hindered in any season as this foliage is evergreen. They stay happy throughout the year without much hassle.
Leaves/stem description:
These non-flowering gorgeous plants have long leaves in the shade of green. Sometimes variegation is pretty visible on the leaves that cause the surface of leaves to have different hues of green. ideally, under the right care, the leaves take up a single shade of green.
However, sometimes if you fail to provide appropriate sunlight levels to this Phil, you can see light or dark green patches on leaves. Overall, healthy leaves have 8-10 inches in length. Other than the foliage, the stems are short in height.
In fact, due to healthy growth, the leaves eventually have more weight and that causes the stem to face difficulty in holding up the plant upright. However, do not worry. This problem can easily be tackled by using a rod and tying a stem to it so that it can support the plant’s weight.
You must be wondering that this will look very unappealing if you plan to place this plant indoors. But, there’s another hack too. Just use a tall vase that matches the height of the stem.
Philodendron Paraiso Verde Toxicity:
Are there curious pets or children in your house who like to know about everything in sight? If yes, you should keep an eye on them. In short, you should ensure there is a safe distance between them and your adopted Philo. The reason behind this is quite simple. They hold a major threat to your health.
How exactly? The juice of leaves contains tiny calcium oxalate crystals that can cause you major harm. In case of ingestion or the plant being licked, these crystals can enter your body. Do you want to know what happens next? Starting from mouth to throat and then till stomach, swelling occurs. It escalates to inflammation and then severe pain. Thus, be very careful and avoid direct contact with the plant. Warn your children too.
Other than that, like every other plant, these also have the possibility of bacteria laying on the surface of leaves. The bacteria can cause many infections and can be fatal. Hence, you should focus on the plant’s cleanliness as well.
Pest/Disease Resistance:
Philodendron Paraiso Verde is not lucky in terms of safety from pest or disease attacks. However, you should know what makes them prone to get attacked. The answer is quite simple. Improper care and inappropriate conditions make them more sensitive.
The most common side effect of pest attack is the browning of leaves. This is often not paid enough attention however, anything abnormal shouldn’t be ignored. Due to pests, issues like mealybugs, spider mites often occur. You should try to avoid all such issues by maintaining the good health of the plant.
Observe and do timely checks to avoid excessive moisture in the soil. Despite all care, sometimes plant ends up catching diseases. In such cases, isolate and keep the plant separate to avoid further spreading of diseases. Now the question arises that how to treat the plant? There are plenty of insecticides, pesticides, fungicides that not only prevent but help in treating them as well.
Dormancy:
Philodendron Paraiso Verde’s growth rate during winter’s slowdowns. If you see the plant not growing much in this phase, do not get worried by thinking that you aren’t providing the right care. It is natural to happen. Give them space during this period and do not overwater or over-fertilize. When the growing period returns, during spring and summers, the plant again starts smiling.
Care of Philodendron Paraiso Verde
These days when every other person seems to be short on time, it becomes difficult to take care of houseplants. However, there is some good news for you. This appealing Phil does not demand much. It thrives well with very minimal care, money and time. This is why this plant is perfect for you especially if you have a busy routine.
Have a glance at easy and quick guidelines for Philodendron Paraiso Verde:
Water levels: high intake during summers, low levels during winters
Light: indirect sunlight
Humidity: high level 60-65%
Fertilizer: During growing season- summer and spring thrice a year. No fertilization during winters.
Water requirements
Although this plant needs you to water it regularly to stay hydrated, there is still a specific pattern that you should follow. The soil should be moisturized but not beyond a certain limit. How does one know if your plant needs water? The best way to know if your plant requires more water is by using either a moisture meter or your finger.
You must be confused about how to use your finger to check moisture. It’s pretty simple. Insert your finger in the soil and see if it comes out dry. If it does, do not hesitate and provide more water to your plant. Ideally, only the top level of soil should be dry.
However, also make sure the bottom of the pot is not drenched in water. This usually happens when the pot is not well-draining with enough holes. The seasons also play a major role in this. During summers, water needs increase as the hot sun causes water to evaporate off the surface of the soil. Lower the water levels during winters and your plant will thrive well.
Light requirements
It is safe to say that the Paraiso Verde Philodendron loves light. However, it does not demand direct sun rays falling on it. The leaves are sensitive to scorching sun rays and can get damaged if overexposure occurs. Let’s discuss all possibilities.
Overexposure can cause the deep green color of leaves to get faded leaving patches of different shades. It can also damage the texture of leaves or worst-case scenario, it can leave the leaves burning. Hence, it is highly advised to take care and do not place the plant under direct sunlight.
Due to their tropical nature as well, they like indirect sunlight through the shade. If you are unable to find a suitable shaded but bright spot for them, you can use shade cloth. Shade cloth cuts down the intensity of sunrays by blocking it partially.
Soil requirements
The foremost thing which you should focus on when it comes to choosing soil is that it should be well-absorbing. It should be able to absorb the water so that the plant can use it. The next thing that you should check is that the soil must be well-draining.
Do you want the soil to stay drenched in water? Certainly no, right? That will eventually cause the plant to die as the roots suffocate by not being able to breathe. Hence, do not compromise on the quality of soil by opting for a cheaper one. Invest in high-quality, nutrient-rich soil because that will directly have an impact on your plant’s well-being.
Temperature and humidity requirements
When it comes to Philodendron Paraiso Verde, there is no specific temperature that they require. However, as you know that these plants are tropical, hence they prefer warmer temperatures. Also, make sure your plant is not directly placed in front of a fan, air conditioner, or even a heater. The temperature changes should never be harsh or sudden.
In terms of humidity, these tropical plants are adapted to survive in high air moisture. It should at least be above 60% and even if it is higher than that, there is no issue. However, if you live in a region where humidity is often low, there are numerous ways by which you can increase it.
A very easy way is to mist the plants now and then to maintain high humidity levels. You can also place the plant in a pebble tray with water to boost up humidity levels. Are you interested in knowing another way? Install an indoor humidifier.
Fertilizer requirements
Keep in mind, exact fertilizing routines depend on which fertilizer you are using exactly eg fast release, slow-release. It is recommended to fertilize Philo Paraiso Verde not more than 3 times a year if you opt for a slow-release one. However, with the fast release one, the schedule is quite different. During the growing season (summer and spring) it is recommended to fertilize over 6-8 weeks using a fast-release one. Do remember one thing! Fertilize less often during winters as growth is at a slow speed during that time.
Repotting and Pruning requirements
When exactly should you re-pot? During the spring season, you should observe the plant if the roots are struggling to fit in the pot. If they are, that means the plant needs a larger pot. Usually, a need doesn’t arise very often. It is recommended to re-pot once a year or once in 2 years. Make sure you select a bigger pot with enough drainage holes.
You should keep your adopted babies clean and dust-free. You can use neem oil or pure, distilled water to keep your Paraiso Verde Philodendron disease and bacteria-free. In fact, this prevents the spread of infections and ensures your health’s safety as well.
Philodendron Paraiso Verde Propagation
Propagation can be easily done by using the method of stem-cuttings. The steps are pretty basic. Following are the steps explained in-depth:
- Choose a healthy plant that is clean and disease-free
- Using a sharp tool, cut few healthy stems from it. Also, make sure there are only 2-3 leaves on the cuttings.
- Place the cuttings in nutrient-rich soil
- Provide suitable growth conditions
Related Posts:
Summary
Philodendron Paraiso Verde is a rare Philodendron species that is difficult to get hands-on. However, it is worth adopting this aesthetic, ornamental plants can be decorated in your sitting rooms or patios. These tropical Philos add beauty to any room by their statement look. This low-maintenance plant is a perfect adoption choice even if it’s your first one.
