If you’re thinking about planting Philodendron in your garden space, you might have questions about the amount of sunlight it needs to grow healthy, as it is an essential part of the growth and appearance of the plants in the garden.
It is a common question. Thus, a quick read about it might be enough to answer it.
Can Philodendron grow in shade or sun?
Philodendrons will grow healthy in both shade and sun. However, as it does not require direct sunlight, indirect sunlight in the shade is enough for their growth. Their leaves start to turn yellow when they are kept directly under the sun. Thus, it grows the best in shades or indirect sunlight.
In the forests, Philodendrons grow under the tropical canopies, reaching the forest floor. In that area, they receive patches of sunlight with almost no direct sunlight, and that’s where they grow the best. Hence, growing them under the sun will not be a healthy practice.
However, growing them under no sun or very little sunlight can be unhealthy. It will eventually result in the stems growing excessively long in an irregular manner. There will also be too many gaps between the leaves, leaving it dull in appearance.
Can Philodendron grow in sun/full sun?
Yes, many species of Philodendrons, such as the Split leaf or Selloum Philodendrons can grow in full sun. But it is better off with other larger plants in the garden growing around it as they will provide some protection from the full sun.
They should not be placed under the full sun because of their nature. Naturally, they grow under canopies and on the forest floor, receiving only a few patches of indirect light.
Under full sun, most of the Philodendron leaves will be more likely to turn yellow at once as the direct sunlight will cause burning on the leaves.
However, most species can tolerate full sunlight indirectly. So when it is scorching hot and sunny outside, place the Philodendrons near a window where there’s indirect bright sunlight.
Can Philodendron grow in shade?
Yes! Philodendrons grow healthy in the shade as they have the ability to use far-red light. It has thin leaves to trap more sunlight in shade. Their structure is adapted to shades as they naturally grow under the shadows of large trees in the tropical canopy.
Philodendrons are shade-tolerant as they also grow in full shade with little amounts of sunlight escaping into the shade. Their large structure leaves are adapted to trapping the highest level of sunlight, contributing to the growth of the plant.
The most popular species of Philodendron is the Heart Shape or Philodendron Scandens and it thrives in shades as it doesn’t require much sunlight and is better in low-light areas.
However, they cannot grow in a shade with no indirect sun. In such a condition, their stem will grow very long and skinny in an irregular manner, having long gaps between the leaves.
There will also be an irregular growth of leaves, leaving them with a long stem and fewer leaves.
Do Philodendrons grow in shade or sun?
Philodendrons grow in both shade and sun. But only one condition is a better option for these plants because of its nature.
Most Philodendrons grow better in shade than under the sun. The large structure of the leaves traps sunlight quickly so even when it is under a shade getting indirect light. Under the direct sun, it will absorb all the intense heat, letting the sunlight burn the leaves.
Whether it grows better in shades or sun also depends on its various species:
Xanadu Philodendron:
The Xanadu species grow better in bright indirect light or shade as it burns in full sun.
However, for this species to grow healthy, the shade should not be too dark, it should allow sufficient bright sunlight.
Split leaf Philodendron/ Selloum Philodendron:
The Split leaf or Selloum species prefers growing in full sun for proper growth.
It will also grow healthy in partial shade but it cannot survive in full shade as it will need some sunlight.
Philodendron Birkin:
The Philodendron Birkin will thrive in partial shade or indirect bright sunlight.
Hence positioning it near a window with indirect sunlight will be recommendable.
Philodendron Hope:
Philodendron Hope grows the best in part sun or part shade. It doesn’t require full sun and cannot grow properly in full shade.
In full shade, it can survive but its leaves are likely to turn darker green.
Philodendron Scandens/ Heart leaf Philodendron:
The Heartleaf Philodendron requires indirect sun or bright sunlight to spread in the garden.
It will grow in shades but the color of the leaves might start to fade as the color will not be bright green anymore.
Philodendron Micans:
Philodendron Micans or velvet-leaf Philodendrons also grow better in partial shade.
It will have leggy stems and small leaves when placed in full shade without any bright indirect sunlight.
How much sun does a Philodendron need?
Philodendrons do not need much sun as they grow best in medium light and bright indirect sunlight in a partial shade. If they are directly exposed to the sun or if they get more sun than they require, most of their leaves will turn yellow instead of growing bright green.
However, some Philodendrons might need full sun. Some species of Philodendron such as Selloum Philodendron, commonly known as the Split leaf Philodendron, need full sun and bright light to grow properly with large-size leaves.
On the other hand, most species such as Xanadu Philodendron need the sun partially. They need their bright indirect light to grow well in the garden.
How much sun can a Philodendron take?
Some Philodendrons can take up to the full sun, such as the Selloum Philodendron or Split leaf Philodendron. The other species of Philodendron cannot take full sun due to their inability to adapt.
Most species of Philodendron cannot be exposed directly to the sun. This is because it will only cause its leaves to change their color, and all its leaves will become sunburnt and yellow.
Do Philodendrons like direct sunlight?
It mostly depends on the species of the Philodendrons whether they like direct or indirect sunlight.
Philodendrons such as Selloum Philodendron like full sun, which is six or more hours of direct sun per day. Another type of Philodendron, the Philodendron Pink Princess likes direct sunlight for only two to three hours in the morning.
Some Philodendrons such as Philodendron Balaoanum likes small amounts of direct sunlight, given that it is not scorching hot or very sunny.
In contrast, most species such as Philodendron Verrcosum, Philodendron Rugosum, Philodendron Gualeanum, and Plowmanii do not like direct sun.
Instead, they prefer growing in partial sun. They change color and the shape of their leaves when exposed to direct sunlight.
Do Philodendrons like heat?
Almost all Philodendrons like heat and grow healthier in humidity but require maintenance in high temperatures.
For instance, the Philodendron Selloum or Split Leaf Philodendron and the other species is usually grown in a heated climate and temperatures above 55°F (12.8 °C).
What temperature does a Philodendron like?
Philodendrons usually like high temperatures as they cannot withstand cold temperatures below 55 °F (12.8 °C).
On average, Philodendrons like to grow well between 70 °F (21 °C) to 80°F (26 °C) and above 55°F (12.8 °C) at night. However, the temperatures might vary between different species, thus making it important to know about their species and their preferable temperatures.
The Philodendron Hederaceum can withstand up to 80 °F (27 °C), while the Xanadu Philodendron likes warm temperatures above 55 °F (12.8 °C) and can withstand up to 85 °F (29 °C).
Philodendron Rugosum likes temperatures between 55 °F (13°C) to 90°F (32 °C) and the Philodendron Plowmanii prefers 55 °F (12.8 °C) to 88 °F (31 °C). Lastly, a Philodendron Birkin likes growing between 65 °F (18 °C) to 75°F (24 °C)
The other species will also prefer similar temperatures as these species. Hence, it will require warm temperatures up to 90°F (32 °C).
How cold is too cold for Philodendron?
As Philodendrons are tropical plants, they grow near the equator, where it is as warm as 88 °F (31 °C).
They cannot withstand cold temperatures for a long time. Hence, temperatures below 55 °F (12.8 °C) are considered too cold for Philodendron.
As a result, they might not survive in extended winter periods. The snow or frost in winter will eventually end its lifespan, especially if it doesn’t receive at least three to four hours of bright, indirect light per day.
However, if at midnight the temperatures are slightly below 55 °F (12.8 °C), it might not be too cold for the Philodendrons as the low temperature will not last for many hours.
Can Philodendron go outside in the summer?
In the summer, if temperatures are not below 55 °F (12.8 °C) and not above 90°F (32 °C), Philodendrons can easily go outside as the temperatures are quite bearable.
However, they need to be planted under enough shade. Most Philodendrons require partial or full shades and in summer outside the house, there might be direct sunlight. Hence, it is very necessary to avoid direct sunlight outside in summer by using shades.
Nevertheless, planting Philodendrons in a shade or under the partial sun is a great method of growing them properly. It will have larger leaves and a proper stem height.
However, it is better to check the species and then decide whether to plant it in a shade or under the sun as not all the species have the same characteristics.
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