Philodendron Camposportoanum: A Beginner-Friendly Care Guide

Philodendron camposportoanum is an exotic houseplant that can be a real joy to grow. As it matures, the plant’s iconic leaves transform, creating a stunning visual display.

Best of all, it’s a fairly user-friendly plant to grow at home. In this guide, our gardening pros explain how to keep it thriving for many years.

What Is Philodendron Camposportoanum?

Philodendron camposportoanum is a small epiphytic plant native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is popular among houseplant lovers due to its evergreen foliage, with a three-lobed shape and a velvety texture.

Like all philodendrons, the leaves of this plant will change appearance over time. When young, Philodendron camposportoanum leaves are small, oval-shaped, with a maroon shine visible in direct sunlight.

As the plant matures, the leaves will develop their characteristic three-lobed shape.

In the right growing conditions, the leaves can span out to almost 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.

Philodendron camposportoanum typically grows as tall as 8 inches (20 cm), but the vines can grow as long as 3 feet (90 cm) long. It is both a climber and a trailing vine, and you can grow it in hanging baskets as well as on a moss pole.

• Is Philodendron Camposportoanum Toxic?

The leaves of Philodendron camposportoanum contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, they can cause mouth pain, difficulty breathing, swelling, and nausea. We recommend keeping this plant where pets and kids can’t get to it.

Philodendron Camposportoanum Care Guide

Growing Philodendron camposportoanum indoors is not as complicated as you may think. Let’s start with the basics of caring for this exotic plant.

• Light Requirements

Keep your Philodendron camposportoanum in a pot with bright indirect light. A room with eastern or western exposure will be ideal for this plant. We recommend placing it about two feet away from the window to protect the foliage from the intense midday sun.

A couple of hours of sun in the morning or evening are fine, but keeping this philodendron in direct sun for long periods will scorch the leaves.

To reach maturity and develop its iconic, three-lobed leaf shape, the Philodendron camposportoanum plant needs two things: a moss pole and adequate light. The leaves of this tropical plant will change shape as they mature.

In its natural habitat, the leaves will grow bigger as the plant reaches upwards through the canopy. If your philodendron is growing in a shaded spot, the leaves will stay small. Not only that, but the plant will also struggle and develop leggy stems.

• Temperature Requirements

The recommended temperature range for Philodendron camposportoanum is between 65 and 82 F (18 to 28 C). Ideally, the temperature should not exceed 90 F (32 C), which is easy to achieve in the average home.

Similarly, avoid exposing your philodendron to temperatures below 55 F (13 C). This plant is not frost-tolerant, and low temperatures can stunt its growth and cause permanent damage.

You can grow Philodendron camposportoanum outdoors throughout the year if you live in USDA zones 10 and higher. In other regions, we recommend keeping it outside from late spring until early autumn. Remember to bring the plant inside if temperatures drop below 55 F (13 C) during the night.

• Water Requirements

Water your Philodendron camposportoanum abundantly and regularly. The aim is to keep the soil moist at all times but not soaked. If the soil is constantly wet, the roots will be deprived of oxygen, and pathogens will start building up in the soil, leading to root rot.

The watering schedule for Philodendron camposportoanum varies according to temperature, humidity, age of the plant, the size of the pot, as well as the season. During the hotter months, you can water your plant once a week, especially if the air in the room is very dry. In winter, you can reduce watering to once every 7 or 10 days.

We recommend using the soak and drain method to water your Philodendron camposportoanum. Slowly pour room temperature water over the soil until it starts dripping through the drainage holes.

Allow the pot to drain in a sink or bathtub before placing it back on its tray. Before watering it again, test the soil with your finger. If the top inch feels dry to the touch, it’s time to give your philodendron another soak.

• Humidity Requirements

High humidity is a must when growing Philodendron camposportoanum. This plant is native to the tropics, where it’s not uncommon to experience humidity levels as high as 100 percent.

When growing it indoors, try to aim for a humidity level of at least 60 percent. Although philodendron plants can grow in low humidity, they will not thrive, and they won’t produce the large, vivid green leaves that they’re famous for.

The easiest way to meet the humidity needs for Philodendron camposportoanum is using a humidifier. Alternatively, you can also place the container on top of a pebble tray half filled with water, and the evaporation will give it the air moisture boost it needs.

• Soil Requirements

Before we take a look at the ideal soil mix for Philodendron camposportoanum, it’s essential to understand how this plant grows in the wild. Unlike many species in the genus, Philodendron camposportoanum is mainly a terrestrial vine that develops an epiphytic habit as the plant develops.

Often, it will start life growing on the forest floor, then use its aerial roots to climb trees and reach the filtered sunlight available in the canopy. As a result, it needs a soil mix that’s aerated, moisture-retentive, and very well-draining.

Planting your Philodendron camposportoanum in a substrate that mimics the one it grows on in its native habitat is crucial to keeping it healthy. This plant should never be potted in just universal plant soil.

There are several aroid mixes you can find for sale. However, to provide it with the right balance of drainage, aeration, and nutrients, we encourage you to make your own soil mix.

Here’s a great soil mix that we encourage you to use for your Philodendron camposportoanum:

• 1 part garden loam
• 1 part peat
• 1 part orchid or pine bark
• 1 part mix of perlite and horticultural charcoal

• Fertilizer Requirements

Philodendron camposportoanum needs a light fertilizer application throughout its growing season, from spring until autumn. Once a month, you can use a balanced fertilizer diluted to a quarter of the recommended strength.

A nutrient ratio of 12-12-12 or 13-13-13 is perfect for this plant. In winter, the plant enters a brief period of rest, so it won’t need any additional feeding.

 

• Pruning and Maintenance

Your Philodendron camposportoanum will need very little pruning. In spring, you can trim some of the old, yellowing leaves from the bottom of the plant. If your philodendron is growing too long, you can also prune some of the longer vines and use them to propagate the plant.

Pruning will also help give it a bushy look. Always use a sharp blade that has been sterilized to prevent spreading pathogens from one section of the plant to the other.

• Repotting Philodendron Camposportoanum

This small leaf philodendron is a fast grower, but it doesn’t need repotting too often. We recommend repotting it once every two or three years, preferably in spring. You can tell if the Philodendron camposportoanum needs a new pot if you can see the roots coming out of the drainage hole. Then, simply transplant it to a pot that’s one size larger than the old one.

When repotting your Philodendron camposportoanum, try to provide it with something to climb on, such as a stake or moss pole. Although you can keep it as a trailing plant in a hanging basket, allowing it to climb will have a truly spectacular effect on the foliage.

The leaves will grow bigger and wider, with well-defined lobes. Without a moss pole, the leaves will stay small, and although they’ll still look charming, they won’t develop to their true potential.

Philodendron Camposportoanum Propagation Guide

Philodendron camposportoanum can be propagated through stem cuttings or air layering. The best time to propagate this plant is in spring, which allows it to use the rest of the growing season to become established.

For both methods, we recommend using healthy vines without any signs of pests or damaged leaves. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need for each method.

– Philodendron Camposportoanum Stem Cutting Propagation

1. Find a stem section that has at least one growth node at the bottom of the leaf petiole. The node will also have a couple of aerial roots growing out of it.
2. Use a sharp, sterilized blade to cut the stem, leaving only a half-inch section both above and below the growth node.
3. If you have a very long vine, you can cut it in as many sections as there are growth nodes with leaves attached. Each node will develop roots, and for each section, you’ll get a new philodendron plant.
4. Place the cuttings in a glass with water. Cover the glass with a transparent plastic bag to preserve humidity, and keep it in bright, indirect light. Some guides suggest letting philodendron cuttings develop a callus; however, this is only likely to cause the stem to wilt, which will decrease the chances of rooting.
5. Your cuttings will start growing roots after about a week. Keep them in water until the roots are at least 2 inches (5 cm) long, then you can plant them in a well-draining soil mix.

– Philodendron Camposportoanum Air Layering Propagation

1. Find a section of the stem that has at least one growth node. If the stem already has well-developed aerial roots, this will make propagation much faster.
2. Take some damp sphagnum moss and loosely wrap it around the node. You can secure it in place using plastic wrap, which will also help keep the moss moist. Leave a bit of open space at the top so that you can water the moss when needed.
3. Check the moss every day to make sure that it doesn’t dry out. If it feels dry to the touch, gently pour some water on it without removing the plastic wrap.
4. After a month or so, you will start seeing roots coming out through the moss wrap.
5. Using a sharp, sterilized blade, cut the stem half an inch below the growth node, then plant your baby philodendron in a well-draining potting mix.

Common Pests and Problems

Here are some of the pests and problems that you’ll come across when growing Philodendron camposportoanum.

– Soft, Brown Leaves

This is a common symptom of overwatering and could also indicate root rot. Make sure that your Philodendron camposportoanum is planted in a well-draining potting mix, and allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before watering the plant again.

– Leggy Growth

If your Philodendron camposportoanum has long, bare stems, it means it’s not getting enough light.

Keep it in a room where it can receive bright indirect light throughout the day, but avoid exposing it to the scorching midday sun.

– Pests

Spider mites and mealybugs are common pests for Philodendron camposportoanum. They both form colonies underneath the leaves, causing foliage discoloration and stunted growth.

To remove them, spray the plant with a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol once a week for a month, or until all signs of infestation are gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Philodendron Camposportoanum a vine or a shrub?

2. How can the growth of Philodendron Camposportoanum be controlled?

3. How do I train Philodendron Camposportoanum to climb a trellis?

Conclusion

Caring for Philodendron camposportoanum can be very fun and easy if you provide it with the right growing conditions. Let’s do a quick recap of what you need to know.

• Philodendron camposportoanum is a tropical houseplant native to Central and South America.
• You can grow it as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or on a moss pole.
• The plant’s leaves will develop their characteristic three-lobed shape if you give it plenty of bright indirect light and something to climb on.
• High humidity levels and a well-draining potting mix are essential for healthy growth.
• This plant contains toxic calcium oxalate crystals, so keep it away from pets and kids.

 

With these tips and tricks, it’s never been easier to grow Philodendron camposportoanum. So, now all you need to do is find a spot for it!