The Philodendron Golden Dragon is one of the easiest to grow tropical vining plants among all the Philodendrons. It is commonly available in most garden centers and online stores.
Read our care guide to learn all about its growth and care requirements and how to grow it the right way.
Contents
What Is the Philodendron Golden Dragon?
Philodendron Golden Dragon is a cultivated, vining Philodendron variety that grows in the tropical rainforests. It is a fuss-free plant that needs a minimal amount of care, and it grows quite fast as a climber, making it a perfect choice to hang indoors.
Philodendron Golden Dragon helps in removing pollutants released in homes such as formaldehyde and benzene. It is sometimes also called Philodendron Lime Fiddle, Philodendron Golden Dragon Narrow Form, and Philodendron Camouflage.
– Size and Growth
Philodendron Golden Dragon is a prolific grower that grows well in both indoor and outdoor spaces. In the wild, it grows by clinging to the trees with the help of aerial roots. Moss or totem poles help in supporting it, and a shady tree outdoors is also a perfect spot to grow this plant.
The plant can grow up to 25 inches long if cared for properly, but usually, its length varies between 6 to 12 inches. With support systems such as moss poles, it can easily grow beyond 12 inches. It has clean, green petioles between the leaves and the stems.
Philodendron Golden Dragon juvenile form does not have its foliage like dragon heads. It does not have the lobes, which will only form later when the plant begins to mature.
– Leaves
The leaves of the Philodendron Golden Dragon are the reason why it has the name Golden Dragon, as they look similar to a dragon head. The newer leaves have variegation, and when mature, the plant’s foliage develops intricate patterns.
The mottling on the gold mottled leaves may come and go but as the plant matures, the leaves turn into a darker green shade. The leaves can be one to two feet long and eight inches wide. It can be wider depending on how mature the plant is.
– Roots
The Philodendron Golden Dragon has an established root system that goes deep into the soi. It also has aerial roots usually sticking out of the woody stems, which help in absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air. Having aerial roots also means that the plant can be easily propagated.
Quick Overview
Here is a handy table of this plant’s requirements.
| Requirements | Philodendron Golden Dragon |
| Light | Thrives well under bright, dappled light |
| Water | Water when the top few inches of the soil have dried |
| Soil | Needs airy and well-draining soil |
| Humidity | High humidity levels above 50 percent |
| Temperature | Temperatures ranging from 65 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize at least three times a year |
Philodendron Golden Dragon Care
Philodendron Golden Dragon is an extremely easy-to-care-for plant and perfect for lazy gardeners. Learn all about its care and growth requirements in this section.
– Light Requirements
Philodendron Golden Dragon plants need bright, dappled light to grow well. An east-facing window is a great spot to keep this plant in. If your plant is small and has not started to climb yet, you can keep it indoors in any bright spot. Add a trellis or a support system to keep the plant upright.
If you want your plant to grow with full potential, keep it outside in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. It grows bigger and glossier leaves when grown outside, as vining Philodendron Golden Dragon does better outdoors.
Protect the plant from direct sunlight. When it is left in a place with harsh, direct sunlight, you may notice the leaves turning yellow, and, over time, the browning of edges takes place. Harsh sunlight can cause leaf burns and eventually the plant may die if kept in direct sunlight for too long. You can also use grow lights to grow this plant.
– Water Requirements
Watering Philodendron Golden Dragon should be regular to keep the soil evenly moist at all times. Allow the soil to dry out a bit in between waterings as overwatering can kill the plant. Water again only when the top few inches of the soil have dried.
Reduce the watering frequency in the winter months as the plant’s ability to grow, absorb nutrients and water goes down. Check the upper layer of the soil to see if the plant needs water or not. Signs of overwatering include pale, yellowish leaves, wilted and soft mushy leaves, and fungal growth in the soil.
– Soil Mix Requirements
Philodendron Golden Dragon needs airy and well-draining soil to grow well. Use a regular potting medium mixed with some perlite in it. The standard potting mix for Philodendrons works well for this plant too.
Try to use terracotta pots rather than plastic ones. Terracotta pots absorb extra moisture from the soil and help in preventing the problem of overwatering, but it also means that you will have to water the plant a little bit more frequently.
– Temperature Requirements
Maintain the temperature level between 65 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit for the plant to grow properly. A temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit works well at night, but very cold temperatures can affect its growth negatively. Like other tropical plants, it prefers warmer temperatures.
With high temperatures, it becomes essential to keep the humidity levels high. Keep your plant in a spot where there is sufficient air movement and high humidity. Mist the plant to regulate the temperatures during the day.
Avoid keeping your plant in extremely low temperatures too. If the plant is kept outdoors, shift it inside to a bright, warm spot when the colder months arrive. Cold temperatures and frost are detrimental to this plant’s growth.
– Humidity
Philodendron Golden Dragon loves moderate to high humidity conditions. Anything above 50 percent is good enough, as it is a tropical plant which means that it thrives in warm temperatures and humid conditions. It can tolerate slightly lower humidity levels too, but very dry air can be problematic for its growth.
If you want to see improvement in the leaf texture and make them look glossier and healthier, increase the humidity levels around your plant. Keep humidifiers or humidity trays around it. These are beneficial for cold and dry areas.
– Humidity Trays
Humidity trays are an inexpensive way to increase humidity levels. To prepare a humidity tray, fill a tray with some pebbles and water. Place the pot above the tray, and as the water evaporates, the plant will absorb the required moisture.
– Misting
Mist your plant regularly to keep the moisture level high around it. Misting should be within limits because too much misting can make the leaves wet and lead to the development of fungus and other bacterial infections.
Ensure constant air movement when the humidity levels are high. High humidity and warm temperatures without sufficient air movement can cause rot and other fungal disease problems.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Philodendron Golden Dragon needs regular fertilizer during its active growing period from spring to late summer. Fertilize the plant at least three times a year for best results, and avoid using low-quality fertilizer as it can do more harm to your plant than good.
The correct way to fertilize is by putting the fertilizer about five to six inches away from the base. If you notice the leaves turning yellow and it is not because of light damage or pests, your plant likely needs fertilizer. Feed the plant with a 20:10:10 or a 10:10:10 fertilizer.
Avoid over-fertilizing your plant and do not fertilize at all in the winter months. The tropical plant is dormant in winters, which means that it does not need extra nutrients to grow. Resume fertilizing in spring as over-fertilizing can cause salt buildup in the soil that leads to root burn.
Repotting
Springtime is ideal to repot the Philodendron Golden Dragon because it becomes easier for the plant to acclimatize to the new soil conditions. The plant also comes out of its dormancy during this period, so it is the best time to shift it.
Philodendron Golden Dragon does not need to be repotted frequently. Once every three to four years is good enough.
Propagation
Propagating Philodendron Golden Dragon can be easily done in both leca or moss. Since it is an epiphytic plant, it does not take a lot of effort for it to root. It may take a few months for the roots to sprout, but once they do, the plant will already have an established root system.
Leca is still not very frequently used to grow Philodendrons, but the Philodendron Golden Dragon is able to easily root in it. You can use regular soil mix with perlite. Take note that the leaves in your cuttings from a juvenile plant may not have the forking structure that the mature leaves have.
Plant the Golden Dragon into the soil mix after it has formed roots. Do not let the roots become too long because when thin roots get longer and you pot them in the soil, there are chances that the roots will be easily damaged and may snap off.
– Suitable Soil Mix
Add perlite to make the soil well-draining. These plants do not like to be bogged down or be too wet for longer periods of time. Aerated soil with wood bark and perlite helps in keeping the plant roots healthy.
– Planting
Choose a five to six inches long pot with lots of drainage holes at the bottom. Cover them with pebbles and start adding the soil mix. Make a hole in the middle that goes all the way down in the middle of the soil.
Place the plant gently in the hole and firm the soil around it. Water the plant properly and keep it in a bright but shaded spot.
Problems
If you follow the guide above and give your Philodendron Golden Dragon consistently good care, you will not be facing any major problems in its lifetime. Take note that both underwatering and overwatering, as well as under- and over-fertilizing, can lead to negative health conditions for your plant.
Like other Philodendrons, this plant is toxic to animals and humans if ingested in large quantities.
Other Useful Information
Is the Philodendron Golden Dragon Rare?
The Philodendron Golden Dragon is not very rare, but it can be slightly difficult to find in some garden centers. It is commonly available in online plant stores.
How Do You Care For a Golden Philodendron Dragon?
Maintain your plant’s health by keeping it in a well-lit space, preferably in a terracotta pot in a loose and well-draining soil mix. Water it regularly, especially during summer, and try to maintain humidity levels above 50 percent.
To keep the soil well-draining, add perlite and thick bark chips. If the soil is too loose and you want it to retain moisture for longer periods, add coco coir. This is helpful especially in dry regions. Fertilize your plant with a well-balanced fertilizer three times a year.
Repot the plant when it has taken over the existing pot and its roots start to come out of the drainage holes at the bottom. Repotting should ideally be done every three to four years.
Is the Philodendron Golden Dragon Variegated?
Philodendron Golden Dragon variegated is a beautiful plant with thick green leaves and with yellow variegation.
Some leaves also have white variegation with deep lobes.
Conclusion
- Philodendron Golden Dragon is a climbing plant known for its large, dragon-like leaves. It needs a moss or totem pole to climb up.
- It grows well indoors and outdoors in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun exposure.
- Water the plant regularly during the active growing seasons of spring and summer. Reduce the frequency in the winter months.
- Use a well-draining aroid soil mix to grow these plants. Add perlite to the soil mix for aeration and drainage.
- Temperatures between 65 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit work well for the plant’s growth.
- Try to maintain humidity levels above 50 percent to keep the plant healthy. Use humidifiers and humidity trays to do so.
- Fertilize the plant three times a year from spring to late summer and do not fertilize in the winter months.
- Repot the plant in spring when it has outgrown the existing pot. Use a well-draining soil mix.
- Philodendron Golden Dragon can be easily propagated using stem cuttings in both water and soil.
It requires little to no care and demands minimum care from your side, so if you are one lazy gardener, get this gorgeous plant for yourself.
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