Philodendron Gloriosum: Everything To Know About This Creeping Plant

Philodendron gloriosum is an amazing houseplant with heart-shaped velvet leaves. This plant can be used for interior decorations and it also reinforces the ecosystems where it is placed. The Philodendron gloriosum plant is easy to care for but grows slowly so it requires someone who is patient enough to wait for a long period without seeing its glow.

Read this article to learn how to care for this fascinating plant.

What Is Philodendron Gloriosum? 

The Philodendron gloriosum is a rare creeping plant with large, green leaves that has white veins. The creeping makes it different from all other Philodendron plants, which are climbers. This tropical plant is originally from Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, America and Brazil. The plant belongs to the Araceae family and can grow up to eight inches tall and six inches wide. 

Many gardeners are tempted to add the Philodendron gloriosum plant to their collection of plants because of its white-creamy veins that make the leaves more attractive.

The leaves of this plant also make it the greatest part of the plant, considering that the biggest leaf can grow as large as the size of the whole plant, which is eight inches, while the smallest leaf is about four inches.

The leaves of the Philodendron gloriosum have the potential to grow up to 36 inches if it is not grown as a houseplant.

The tropical plant has rhizomes where the roots and shoots develop from a node to form a stem. The leaf on the stem takes approximately one month to open. The mature Philodendron gloriosum produces white flowers between the months of May and June after being taken good care of for 10 to15 years.

Take note that providing this plant with all the requirements needed for it to grow healthy does not mean it will flower earlier than expected.

Quick Overview

Here is a handy table of this plant’s requirements.

Philodendron Gloriosum Care

Parenting the Philodendron gloriosum plant is an easy task to do and is not at all expensive. The plant requires less of your time per day, although there is a need to be extra careful to avoid having a sickly plant.

– Light Requirements

The Philodendron plant grows well in bright, indirect light. We recommend that you place the plant close to an east-facing window where it will get five to seven hours of morning light that is not too harsh for it.

If you place it near a south-facing window, you can filter the sun with a sheer curtain to prevent the Philodendron gloriosum from sunburn, which might cause the leaves of the plant to turn yellow in color. You can also place the plant away from the windowsill to avoid direct light as the plant leaves can be easily damaged.

If you want your Philodendron gloriosum plant to have big leaves with amazing veins, avoid placing it in dark places. Grow your plant indoors if there is 70 to 85 percent of sunlight. In case there is a shortage of light, you can buy a grow light to supplement it. The grow light should be at least two feet away from your Philodendron gloriosum plant to lessen the risk of burning it.

The Philodendron gloriosum plant can develop long, leggy stems if there is a shortage of sunlight, and the distance between leaves tends to increase as the plant will be trying to reach out for light. You should also remove dust from the leaves of your plant so that they can trap enough light that they need for photosynthesis.

The Philodendron gloriosum yellow leaves that are sunburned cannot manufacture plant food due to a lack of chlorophyll. Make sure you rotate your Philodendron gloriosum for an even distribution of light to all sides of the plant, a strategy that helps to promote healthy growth.

– Water Requirements

Philodendron gloriosum plants grow well in moist soil, but you should be careful with regard to when you should water your plants. During summer, you should water the plant once or twice per week depending on how moist the plant’s soil is.

Be sure to water your plant infrequently during winter, ideally twice per month because water evaporates slowly during this season. Use your fingers to check if the top 1 to 2 inches of the topsoil is dry, as this is the best time to water your plant thoroughly until the water starts exiting the pot through the drainage holes.

When watering Philodendron gloriosum, you should avoid using water that is either too cold or too hot as it will shock your plant roots. Filtered room temperature water is ideal for your plant’s growth. Fill your bowl with tap water and leave it overnight so that the chlorine can evaporate and the water will be free from salts that can damage the plant. 

The leaves of the Philodendron gloriosum plant are too soft and susceptible to leaf rot, so you should avoid watering over them. You should water at the base of the plant and if you mistakenly water the leaves, use a tissue to wipe water droplets off.

The Philodendron gloriosum can also suffer from root rot and yellowing of leaves if you overwater it.  Overwatering, as well as underwatering, can also cause the leaves to appear droopy.

– Temperature Requirements

The Philodendron gloriosum grows well when it is provided with temperatures ranging from 70 F to 85 F during the day and 60 F to 70 F at night. This plant is not cold hardy so it will struggle to survive in temperatures that are below 55 F.

We do not recommend that you grow your plant in very cold climates that experience low temperatures between 40 F to 50 F and those with high temperatures above 95 F.

Put your plant away from heaters, fans and other appliances that produce heat. These increase the room temperature and increase the rate at which moisture evaporates. You will then need to water the Philodendron gloriosum plant more often, otherwise, your plant will eventually die. You should also not expose your plant to sudden cold draughts when you place it indoors.

– Humidity Requirements

The Philodendron gloriosum thrives well under a high humidity level of about 60 to 80 percent. Your plant will become greener and fresher under these conditions, and although the Philodendron gloriosum plant can tolerate low humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent, we do not recommend growing it under these conditions.

Low humidity is prominent in winter as there will be dry air in the house due to the use of gadgets that produce heat. Because of this, Philodendron gloriosum leaves may become discolored and the plant’s risk of being attacked by red spider mites increases.

If your Philodendron gloriosum is stressed, you can revive it by misting it a couple of times every day. Do not overdo the misting to avoid fungal infections and leaf rot. Place your plant in a well-ventilated area so that the circulating air will dry the plant leaves after misting. You can also use a humidifier for an effective method to increase your room’s humidity levels.

Pebble trays can be used to improve the humidity levels around your Philodendron gloriosum plant. Place the pebble tray that is filled with water under the pot of your Philodendron gloriosum plant and make sure the pot is not directly sitting in water to avoid creating a soggy potting mix. The level of humidity is boosted as the water evaporates gradually. This method produces the best results and is also cost-effective.

– Soil

The structure of the soil is very crucial when growing your Philodendron gloriosum. Like other Philodendrons, this plant requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Make sure the Philodendron gloriosum soil can retain moisture for some time.

We advise you to use an orchid potting mix for your plant because it is free from pests and diseases, considering that it does not contain natural soil. 

The potting mix for your Philodendron gloriosum plant should contain perlite, sphagnum moss, horticultural charcoal and orchid bark to improve aeration, drainage and moisture retention.

The Philodendron gloriosum can grow in a pot with sphagnum moss only but it might be expensive as there will be a need for you to frequently add fertilizer to the plant. On its own, sphagnum moss does not contain much of the nutrients that are needed by your plant. Charcoal is also important as it sweetens the soil and eliminates toxins.

The acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic to neutral for the Philodendron gloriosum plant to thrive well. A pH level of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal. Soil pH enables you to know the chemicals and nutrients that are soluble in soil water, which will determine the nutrients that are available to your Philodendron gloriosum plant.

You should test your soil to measure the acidity or alkalinity of it, but take note that the Philodendron gloriosum prefers neutral soil conditions that allow most nutrients to be available to the plant.

– Fertilizer

Philodendron gloriosum plant requires more nutrients for optimum growth and beautiful foliage. You should supplement the nutrients by adding a balanced liquid fertilizer like NPK 20-20-20. Dilute the fertilizer to half the strength that is recommended on the package. Make sure to apply the fertilizer to moist soil to avoid burning the roots and leaves of your plant. 

Root burn can also be a result of too much mineral salts in the soil, which is caused by overfertilizing the plant. 

The Philodendron gloriosum is active during summer and spring so you should apply fertilizer once per month during this season. The plant will be generating food during this period and that’s when the leaves will grow vigorously. You are recommended not to apply fertilizers during winter as the plant will be in its dormant stage, so fewer nutrients are used. 

– Pruning

Philodendron gloriosum grows so slowly that you rarely need to prune it. You can only prune the plant to remove old dead leaves and those affected by pests and diseases. If the Philodendron gloriosum plant is now taking more space than what you want it to cover, you can trim it to reduce its size. Pruning the plant can make it have a good-looking shape.

Pruning has an advantage to the Philodendron gloriosum as it will grow new, healthier shoots. Disinfect your pruning shears and make sure that it’s sharp and clean to prevent infecting your plant.

Your trimming tools should be sharp so that you cut unwanted parts smoothly without severely damaging the plant. Water your Philodendron gloriosum after pruning it as a way of minimizing stress.

– Repotting 

Philodendron gloriosum does not need to be repotted regularly. You should repot the plant when you notice that the Philodendron gloriosum growth rate has reduced. The growth rate can be affected if the soil is no longer draining water effectively or when the pot has become too small for the plant. If the nutrients are exhausted, stunted growth can be a sign that the potting mix is now old enough to be changed.

You can also repot if the Philodendron gloriosum plant has grown over the pot. Since this plant grows slowly, you can repot it once every two to three years. Summer is the best time to repot your Philodendron gloriosum because it’s the plant’s growing season. The plant will establish itself quickly and the chances of failure are slim.

When repotting a Philodendron gloriosum, the new pot should be two to three inches larger than the old one so that the plant roots will have enough space to grow. You should also have a fresh potting mix that can drain water easily.

You should gently remove the plant from the old pot, check the roots so that you can remove rotten ones, and then place it in a new rectangular pot. You should be careful when placing the Philodendron gloriosum plant in a new container to avoid damaging its roots.

How to Propagate Philodendron Gloriosum                  

Like many other plants, the Philodendron gloriosum is easy to propagate through stem cuttings, which is primarily used to multiply this precious plant. This method is effective and quick, but take note that propagation should be done during the summer.

– Stem Cuttings

You should have a sharp, clean, sterilized knife or a pair of scissors to cut the stem that is 4 to 6 inches long from the mother plant, prior to allowing it to dry for a couple of hours. You can wipe the blade using alcohol to eliminate bacterial infection so that the cutting and the mother plant will not be affected.

You should select a healthy stem that has two to four leaves on it or you can cut a rhizome only. Make sure you leave the mother plant with a lot of healthy leaves.

While waiting for the Philodendron gloriosum cutting to form a callous, we recommend that you put moistened sphagnum moss in a plastic bag or container and then plant the cutting after a few hours of drying. You should close the plastic or the lid of the container to increase the humidity required for the Philodendron gloriosum cutting to develop new roots and shoots and remember to place it in bright, indirect light.

Open the lid or plastic every two to three days for at least 15 minutes or more to allow air to circulate and to avoid the development of bacteria and fungi. The roots will develop within a month, starting from the day you put them in the container.

Once you see two to three new leaves growing, transfer your Philodendron gloriosum cutting to a permanent pot with a fresh recommended potting mix. Now, you can start caring for your plant the same way the mother plant is being treated.

Problems

Although the Philodendron gloriosum plant is easy to care for, it can be easily affected by pests and diseases. You should regularly inspect your plant so that you can identify problems as early as possible. Below are some of the problems that can affect the growth of your Philodendron gloriosum.

– Yellow Leaves

If the mature, old leaves of your plant start to turn yellow, there is no need to worry because this means their life is ending and they cannot grow further. But if new, small leaves are turning yellow, you should investigate and try to figure out the problem as soon as possible.

Philodendron gloriosum yellow leaves can be a result of overwatering or underwatering. Your watering should be monitored. Do not water when the topsoil is still moist to avoid waterlogging. If your Philodendron gloriosum is waterlogged, your plant is deprived of air circulation and root development.

Make sure that you provide adequate water each time you irrigate and that your potting mix is draining excess water properly. The pot should have enough draining holes. You should also be careful not to short-supply it with water. The plant should not stay long without being watered when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.

– Droopy Leaves

The causes of droopy leaves are the same as those of yellow leaves. Extra care is needed when it comes to watering for you to do away with these problems.

– Torn leaves

The Philodendron gloriosum can have torn leaves due to a deficiency of moisture and humidity. Mist your plant when necessary or you can place a humidifier near your plant. The Philodendron gloriosum’s beauty depends on the leaves so you should work tirelessly to avoid this problem and maintain the gorgeous look of your plant.

The increased humidity can also help the plant to unfurl its new leaves.

– Brown and Crispy Leaves

If your Philodendron gloriosum is directly exposed to heat, the leaves can suffer heat burn and become brown and crispy. You should place your plant under indirect sunlight. You can place your Philodendron gloriosum plant in direct sunlight during early mornings and late afternoons when the sun’s heat is moderate.

– Toxicity

The Philodendron gloriosum is toxic to both human beings and animals. It is dangerous if eaten or swallowed, and you may experience mouth pain, kidney failure, seizures, throat irritation, cramps or even lapse into a coma.

If consumed in large quantities, Philodendron gloriosum can even lead to death. Therefore, you should keep this plant out of reach of children and pets and seek medical attention immediately if someone ingests it.

You should also avoid touching the Philodendron gloriosum plant with your bare hands as it can cause irritation to your skin. Wear protective clothing like gloves when working with this plant, especially when pruning.

– Spider Mites

Philodendron gloriosum can be affected by spider mites. Check if your plant leaves have holes or look stippled because spider mites feed on the plant sap. When you notice these symptoms on your Philodendron gloriosum, look for the spider mites on the underside of the leaves. Another sign of attack by spider mites is a dust-like waste on the leaves.

To control spider mites on Philodendron gloriosum, spray Diatomaceous earth or Neem oil on your plants and make sure you clean the leaves to remove eggs, webs and bugs. The web protects the eggs from insecticides, so you are advised to wipe the leaves before spraying to expose the eggs to the chemicals.

The instructions on how to use insecticides will be written on the container. Read them to avoid mistakes that can be costly to your journey of parenting the Philodendron gloriosum.

– Whiteflies, Aphids and Mealybugs

Whiteflies are sap-sucking insects, and their deceiving name is derived from the mealy white wax that covers the wings of the adult whitefly. They are not flies as their name implies, instead, these pests look like mealybugs and aphids.

Whiteflies affect the leaves of the plant, leaving it dead if not controlled in time. These pests multiply rapidly during the summer months and they are difficult to control if the Philodendron gloriosum is heavily affected.

Whiteflies, aphids and mealybugs can all be controlled the same way as they are all sucking pests and the damage they cause to plants is almost the same. 

– What To Do

The Philodendron gloriosum is an indoor plant, so using natural methods of controlling these pests is best. This also helps prevent humans from being affected by insecticides upon inhaling them. You can use a garden hose to spray water on your plants to wash off the pests. Alternatively, insecticidal soap is also effective, especially if the plants are highly infected by the pests.

Neem oil and isopropyl alcohol are the commonly used interventions to control sucking pests on Philodendron gloriosum plants. You should buy diluted Neem Oil and spray it on your plants. Neem oil does not contain any chemicals in it, so you can spray it while the plant is indoors for two weeks. 

You can also rub the alcohol on every part of the plant like the foliage and stems every two to three days for a period of two weeks to kill everything, including pest eggs.

– Fungus Gnats

You can easily identify that your Philodendron gloriosum is infected by fungus gnats when you see adult bugs flying near the windows as they are attracted to light. Adult fungus gnats can be found on wet mulch, leaves or compost because they can easily get tired of flying, but take note that these adults are not harmful to the plants.

If you find them in your plant’s pot, they will be looking for moist places to lay eggs. Their larvae are the harmful ones as they feed on root hairs, compost, fungi and leaf mold.

An indoor Philodendron gloriosum is affected by fungus gnats because the plant’s soil can stay moist for a long time due to lack of direct sunlight. The larvae will damage the roots and if left untreated can affect the stems as well.

If your Philodendron gloriosum shows signs of wilting while indoors, check it for root rot. Plants grown indoors rarely wilt because evaporation and transpiration are limited as there is no direct sunlight.

You can use insecticides to control the population of fungus gnats on Philodendron gloriosum plants, but it might be difficult if the infection is at its peak. You can remove the infected roots and plant the Philodendron gloriosum in a new pot with a new potting mix. You should also avoid overwatering your plant as this causes waterlogging conditions, which, in turn, favor the growth of fungus gnats.

FAQ

Why is my Philodendron Gloriosum curling?

Philodendron Gloriosum may curl due to inadequate watering, low humidity levels, or excessive light exposure. It’s important to ensure proper watering, maintain adequate humidity, and provide indirect or filtered light for optimal growth.

Is Philodendron Gloriosum a hardy plant?

Philodendron Gloriosum is not considered a hardy plant. It requires specific care and attention due to its sensitivity to temperature, humidity, and light conditions. Providing the appropriate environment is crucial for its healthy growth and well-being.

What is the best potting mix for Philodendron Gloriosum?

Conclusion

After reading this article, you now have all the essential information that can make you an expert in parenting the Philodendron gloriosum. Below is a quick summary of the main points we learned today:

• The Philodendron gloriosum is a slow-growing crawling plant with unique, large, heart-shaped leaves.
• The plant grows well under indirect sunlight and high humidity levels.
• The Philodendron gloriosum thrives best in temperatures ranging from 65 F to 85 F.
• The plant requires more nitrogen so there is a need to add fertilizer.
• Repotting the Philodendron gloriosum is not frequently required as the plant grows slowly. Repot after two to three years when the pot becomes too small for the plant or when the plant is affected by pests and diseases.
• Pruning is done to remove unwanted leaves and when it becomes too big, as a way of making the plant look tidy and nice.
• Stem or rhizome cuttings are used to multiply or start growing the Philodendron gloriosum.
• The Philodendron gloriosum can be affected by pests and diseases like mealybugs and fungus gnats.
• The plant is toxic to pets and humans.

Expert tips and tricks for parenting the Philodendron gloriosum are now at your fingertips. Go on and make your house an eye-catcher with your healthy, gorgeous Philodendron gloriosum plant!

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