Who has not stressed about whether their Philodendron plants are being overwatered or underwatered? These tropical plants are great for enhancing indoor decorations, purifying your surrounding environment, and increasing greenery in your house.
However, the lack of water or excessive water intake may create a hindrance in their natural growth. Philodendrons if cared rightly with the right watering routine can bring good luck and freshness to your home.
How often and how much to water a philodendron?
Philodendrons don’t need abundant water to bloom naturally, rather they can flourish with very little water. Different philodendrons vary in water intake however, generally, you should give your philodendrons a good soak each time you water them and you should water them once every one or two weeks.
Philodendron plants have hundreds of species and are members of the Araceae family. These exotic and tropical plants offer a healthier environment for you by working as a natural purifier by removing toxins in the air.
Moreover, these plants do not require an over-the-top nurturing process, rather they can easily grow in your home with indirect sunlight, with house temperature, and with moderate watering routines.
Philodendron Cordatum:
Philodendron Cordatum with its heart-shaped emerald-colored leaves needs water when the soil is dried halfway.
In addition, you need to check for your plant’s condition before watering it as your Philodendron Cordatum will indicate when it needs water. However, these plants need 70 to 80% humidity in the environment.
Philodendron Birkin:
You need to water your Philodendron Birkin once a week. If you notice that one inch of the soil is dried up, you should consider this as a good indicator that your plant needs water.
In addition, they do not need a lot of water, just enough water to get to the roots and to have well-drained soil.
Philodendron Monstera:
Philodendron Monstera likes to be slightly moist and you should water Philodendron Monstera when the top two to four inches of the soil are dried up.
Moreover, you do not have to fill the whole soil pot with water, rather you can just water the soil until the top layer looks well moist.
Philodendron Hope/philodendron moonlight/ Philodendron Selloum:
You should water your Philodendron moonlight when the top 2 or a couple of inches of the soil is dry.
You do not need to water them much because they can really thrive if you water them once every 10 days. However, the amount of water you add should be just enough not to soak the soil.
Philodendron Brasil/heartleaf philodendron:
Philodendron Brasil/heartleaf philodendron should be watered every five to seven days with a pause in between watering. However, you should increase the water intake in case of increased light.
Philodendron Brasil/heartleaf philodendron does not like soggy soil rather enjoys evenly moist soil.
Philodendron Xanadu:
Philodendron Xanadu or “Winterbourn” needs to be watered until water seeps out of the drain holes and that is the indicator of how much water they need.
Moreover, you should water Philodendron Xanadu when the top 50 percent of the soil is dry. However, the winter season calls for less water intake.
Philodendron Micans:
Philodendron Micans should be watered when the top one-third of the soil is all dried up. You can water them once every one week to ten days.
In addition, whenever you add water to the plant pot, make sure to give them a good soak but do not fully submerge them in water.
Split leaf philodendron:
Split leaf philodendrons need to be watered when half of the soil from the top is dry. Another way of knowing when your Split leaf philodendron needs water is to look for wilted leaves.
These plants need moderate watering and enjoy moisture therefore, watering them thoroughly every 10-12 days will suffice.
Philodendron Pink Princess:
Philodendron Pink Princess needs plenty of water and you should water Philodendron Pink Princess until you see water coming out of the drainage holes.
Additionally, you do not need to water them often but when the topsoil feels dry to the touch, this is the indicator that your Philodendron Pink Princess needs water.
Neon Philodendron:
These beautiful vining foliage plants should be watered once every 7 days in case of normal temperature but in colder months, they should be watered once every 14 days.
Neon Philodendrons like moist soil but do not like fully wet soil therefore do not soak them fully in water.
Red Philodendron:
Red Philodendrons need a bit more moisture. In summer, you should water them once every 7 days and in winter, you should water them once every 12-14 days.
These types of plants like consistent moisture however, watering depends highly on the environment you live in and you should not overflow the soil.
When to water a philodendron?
Philodendrons naturally do not need a lot of water to thrive however, this can differ based on the environment.
If you have placed your philodendron in a place where the temperature is warm, then you should water your Philodendron more often. However, if philodendrons are placed in a cooler place, then you do not need to water Philodendrons as often.
In addition, in general, you should water your philodendron when the top-level soil is dried, especially if 50% to 70% of the soil is dried up, only then you will need to water your philodendron.
How long can a philodendron go without water?
Philodendrons are tropical plants which are one of the best houseplants that do not require much attention and can bloom abundantly.
As these are house plants, they naturally do not need much water to thrive and they can live on little water with intervals in watering time.
In addition, philodendrons can survive up to 1 or 2 weeks meaning 10 to 20 days without water however, this depends on the size of the plants, the environment philodendrons are growing in, the growing phase, and on the indoor conditions (humidity, temperature, airflow and so on).
How often do you water philodendrons in winter?
The winter months can be harsh for Philodendrons as the cold weather can decrease the growth process. Philodendrons have to be moist in winter however, it is better to keep the soil a bit drier in the winter seasons.
Nevertheless, you need to water your philodendron plants once every 10 days, especially in the cold weather. However, you need to make sure that water gets to the bottom of the pot.
Additionally, philodendrons generally have shallow roots which do not require that much water, and similarly, in the winter times, it is better to reduce watering to prevent soaking the soil with water.
Why is my philodendron turning yellow?
There are several reasons for philodendrons to turn yellow. Improper soil moisture can cause yellowing leaves.
Moreover, if there is a low humidity level in the environment, your philodendron will most likely turn yellow.
In addition, improper lights are another major cause of yellow leaves in philodendron. If you put your philodendron in direct sunlight instead of bright indirect sunlight, your philodendron’s leaves will turn yellow.
Furthermore, if your philodendron is exposed to bugs and pests, it can hinder the growth of your plant and can cause your philodendron to be yellow.
Do Philodendrons like to dry out?
Philodendrons like to dry out. Philodendrons thrive in a humid or moist environment, and they like to grow in an environment where there is brightly indirect light coming through.
In addition, these plants are prone to drying especially when philodendron is placed in direct sunlight for a longer period of time. This way, the leaves start to get dry and fall off.
Furthermore, philodendrons also like to dry out when philodendrons are deprived of water for a considerable amount of time. Philodendrons can also dry out fast if you do not mist them regularly or if the environment is not humid enough.
Can you overwater a philodendron?
You can overwater a philodendron. If you water your philodendrons once in 10 to 12 days, they will continue to nourish without a hindrance.
However, it is rather very easy to overwater a philodendron. While watering, if you fill up to the brim of the plant pot, you are exposing your philodendron to harm by overwatering.
In addition, when you see salt type build-up upon the soil, it is a sign that indicates you are overwatering your plant.
Moreover, if you are not letting the soil of your philodendron get dry after watering routines, chances are you are overwatering your Philodendrons.
What does an overwatered philodendron look like?
If your philodendrons are overwatered, you will notice some discoloration.
In addition, the leaves of the philodendron plants will turn to pale yellowish, brownish, or greenish color. This results from a hindrance in the photosynthesis process as the excess water is too much to handle for these plants which naturally need very less water.
Overwatered philodendrons can also have brown spots in them and will have molds on the leaves. Algae will also develop on the stem and on the soil which bears the signs of overwatering.
Additionally, you will also notice curled leaves, stunted growth in your philodendron and all these will be due to lack of nourishment.
To sum up, caring for philodendrons is one of the most rewarding things especially when you witness the result of your correct and routine care.
Philodendron is a very low-maintenance type of plant that nourishes the best when it is moderately watered. They can do comparatively better when they are underwatered than overwatered; however, the right amount of water intake can help them thrive amply.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Philodendron Grow in Shade or Sun?
Can Philodendron Grow in Water?
Can Philodendron Grow Outside?