The Hope Philodendron is a beginner-friendly indoor plant and is a great air-purifying plant perfect for large corners.
Its giant, glossy leaves are amazing at increasing the oxygen levels around and absorbing harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde.
Learn all about its care requirements from our complete care tips.
Contents
What Is the Hope Philodendron?
Philodendron Hope Selloum is a gorgeous landscape plant native to the jungles of South America. It belongs to the Araceae family.
Some of its other commonly known names include the Split leaf philodendron, Philodendron Selloum and the Lacy Tree Philodendron. The scientific names are Philodendron Bipinnatifidum and Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum.
Philodendron Hope Care
– Water Requirements
This tropical plant prefers a slightly moist soil at all times but cannot stand in soggy soil for long. If you want your plant to have glossy green leaves, water it only when the top two to three inches of the soil dry out. The roots hate to have wet feet and water-logged soil conditions for longer periods.
If you tend to overwater your plants, it might be better to invest in a moisture meter to accurately determine whether the plant needs to be watered. Alternatively, you can also use the finger-knuckle test to check if the plant needs to be watered.
To determine the water needs using the finger-knuckle test, insert a finger in the soil till the second knuckle. If it feels dry and the soil does not stick to your finger, water the plant thoroughly. Otherwise, wait for a few days and check back again.
– Light Requirements
Philodendron Hope Selloum needs almost full sunlight but can also grow well in bright light under partial shade. It can adapt and tolerate deep shade but if you want larger leaves with more splits, provide it with bright sunlight.
A north or east-facing window works well for its growth. Any spot where the plant can receive bright light during the day is good.
Do not place it in dark spots or corners where little light reaches. Lack of enough light will make the plant leggy and stretched out. It also increases the chances of rot.
Avoid exposing your plant to harsh sunlight especially during noon as it can cause leaf burns leading to yellowing and browning of foliage. The plant stems grow and bend in search of sunlight in the direction of light. Rotate the plant regularly for even and uniform growth.
– Soil Mix
The Philodendron Selloum plant needs a rich, alkaline soil mix that is good at moisture retention. A moisture-retentive soil mix does not mean that you have to keep it soggy all the time as soggy soil increases the chances of rot. The plant is not too fussy and can handle soils heavy in salt concentration too.
You can use a soilless medium like sphagnum moss to grow the plant as it is moisture-retentive and does not get soggy. Add lots of perlite to the soil to keep it draining and aerated.
To avoid problems related to overwatering such as rot and fungus, grow your plant in a pot that has enough drainage holes at the bottom. Also, choose a clay or terracotta pot instead of plastic pots as they are excellent at absorbing the excess water from the soil.
– Temperature Requirements
Temperatures between 65 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit work well for its growth. It likes being in moderately warm temperatures away from cold and hot drafty windows. Do not place it near air conditioner vents or heaters as the dry air with extreme temperatures can be detrimental to this tropical plant’s growth.
In winters, it is advisable to bring the plant indoors to a bright, warm spot away from frost. It is not frost-hardy, so bring it indoors in the winter months. In cooler temperatures, the structures aboveground die as the temperatures fall and grow again from the roots in spring.
– Humidity Requirements
Maintain the humidity levels above 50 percent for bright green and glossy foliage. The average humidity in most homes is good enough but if you live in a dry area with extreme temperatures in summers and winters, keeping a humidifier or a humidity tray might help.
Prepare a humidity tray by filling it with some pebbles and water and keep the plant above it. As the water will evaporate, the plant will absorb the moisture from the air. You can also mist the plant occasionally to increase the humidity around the plant.
Make sure you keep the air around your plant moving with high humidity. High humidity levels without proper air circulation cause fungus growth which can further lead to rot and other pest infestations.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilize your Philodendron regularly in the spring and summer months to keep it healthy. Feed it once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer or any well-balanced liquid fertilizer. It is key that you do not fertilize your plant in winters as the plant hardly shows any new growth and fertilizing in winters causes root burn.
Slow-release fertilizers work better for their growth as they reduce the chances of root burn due to salt build-up. Too much or overfertilizing leads to salt build-up that results in root and leaf burn.
– Pruning
To keep Philodendron Hope climbing, grow it with the support of trellis or moss poles. It helps the plant grow vertically making it perfect for corners. You can prune off the aerial roots if they seem to get unruly to keep the plant in proper shape.
Hope Philodendron is a hardy plant and can handle a good trim when it gets out of shape. Use clean cutting tools and wear gloves while pruning them to avoid any allergy or skin irritation. It does not need to be repotted every year.
It is once every two to four years when its roots outgrow the existing container or the soil mix begins to decompose.
Propagation
You can propagate the Philodendron Hope in water and soil, whichever medium suits your needs using stem cuttings. Water propagation can take more time and effort as you will have to change the water every few days to prevent rot.
Locate a healthy stem and make a clean cut below the node. The cutting should be a few inches long with two to three nodes so that root growth is guaranteed. Leave only the top one or two leaves and remove the rest.
For soil propagation, dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant it in a freshly prepared, moist soil mix. It will take a few weeks for the roots to grow. Once the roots have developed properly and you begin to see new growth above the soil, you can shift it to a bigger pot.
Keep the plant in a shaded spot until it fully adjusts to the new soil environment. Also, do not let the soil dry out and keep it evenly moist at all times, at least for the first few weeks. Once it has adjusted, move it to a bright and warm spot.
Problems
This tropical plant is a fuss-free plant and does not face major issues unless ignored for a long time. Let us take a closer look at some of the common problems faced by this Philodendron.
– Yellowing of Foliage
Philodendron Hope yellow leaves could be due to underwatering or overwatering. If the leaves are yellow and crispy-brown from the edges, it is most likely due to underwatering. If they are yellow-brown and mushy to touch, it is due to overwatering.
Watch out for these symptoms and treat your plant accordingly. Maintain a regular watering schedule and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy at most times. Check the roots and replace the soil mix if root rot has started.
– Root Rot
Root rot is a very common problem in these tropical problems faced by most gardeners. If you notice small, dark green blotches on the foliage, it might be because your plant is suffering from rot.
To prevent your plant roots, leaves, and stems from rot, avoid overhead watering and water the soil directly. Water the plant only when one-third of the soil dries out in between the watering sessions. If the plant is rotting, remove the rotten parts and repot it in a fresh soil mix.
– Browning and Curling of Leaves
If the leaf tips have turned brown and started to curl, it might be because the soil mix you are using has way too much salt. It is due to overfertilizing that the plant suffers from root burn. To control the problem, always dilute the fertilizer before applying and change the potting mix if the problem continues.
– Pests
Philodendron Hope pests such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can be a problem occasionally but it would not be a major problem if you spot these pests early. Treat your plants with neem oil spray, insecticidal soap solution, and alcohol sprays to prevent the infestation.
Dust the plant leaves for better photosynthesis and to keep the pests at bay. Keeping the leaves clean using a wet cloth helps in keeping the pests away. Cleaning the leaves regularly also helps the plant absorb more sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us take a look at some of the commonly asked questions about this Philodendron plant.
– Is the Hope Selloum Toxic?
This plant is not dangerous but it can be toxic if ingested. We would recommend keeping it away from kids and pets. Chewing the leaves can cause mild irritation in the throat. Try to keep at some height.
– How Do I Make My Selloum Grow More Leaves?
Provide your Philodendron with the right lighting conditions for it to grow larger and healthier leaves. It becomes leggy and stretched out when there is little or no light. Feed the plant regularly in the spring and summer months to get green and lush leaves.
– Does the Philodendron Hope Bloom?
The Philodendron Hope plant rarely flowers and it takes about 15 to 20 years for it to grow up enough to bloom. It is nearly impossible to get this plant to flower in indoor settings. The flowers are small, white and petalless. The plant makes up for the lack of flowers with its beautiful foliage.
– How Big Does the Philodendron Hope Grow?
This plant is called the Tree Philodendron because of its tree-like trunk that spreads and covers a lot of land masses as the plant matures. In the wild, this trunk can be anywhere between 8 to 10 feet but the large droopy leaves hide the trunk.
The plant starts small and compact in most indoor settings but over the years, under the right growing conditions, it can easily grow up to five feet tall and two feet wide with some leaves two to three feet wide.
– What Is Special About the Foliage and Roots of the Philodendron Hope Plant?
The Philodendron Hope has dark green, large, lobed, and drooping leaves that are attached to long petioles. In the wild, the leaves can grow up to five feet long. The ruffle-shaped, deeply-lobed leaves grow in an outward direction but with the help of stakes, you can train the plant to grow upwards instead of outwards.
Another interesting point to note about this plant’s foliage is that the leaves can survive for many months in water. So the next time you prune off a healthy-looking leaf, keep it in a vase of water and add a tropical touch to the corners of your home. Just remember to change the water weekly to prevent rot.
As the plant grows and matures, its trunk also grows and sends out many aerial roots that help it to grow epiphytically. These aerial roots help in absorbing water and nutrients from the soil and air. Sometimes, the aerial roots appear as leafless, brown growths coming out of stems. They are normal and help the plant to climb upwards in search of more light and nutrients.
– When Is the Best Time To Repot the Philodendron Hope?
Remember that the best time to shift the plant is early spring when the plant comes out of its dormancy phase and begins to grow new leaves and stems. While repotting, always choose a pot that is just one size bigger than the previous one as potting in a very big pot can cause overwatering-related problems.
Conclusion
The Philodendron Hope can grow quite tall making it perfect for bright corners. Let us summarize the most important care guidelines once more.
- Philodendron Selloum is a fast-growing, perennial plant native to the jungles of South America. It has dark green, shiny, graceful, and lobed leaves that can grow large under appropriate growing conditions.
- It thrives in bright, warm weather conditions with high humidity and regular feeding during the active growth phase.
- Water the plant only when the top few inches dry out, usually watering once a week works well.
- You can propagate the plant easily by growing the stem cuttings in water or soil.
- It can face problems such as browning, curling, and yellowing of foliage. Deal with them as soon as you spot the issue.
Add this houseplant to keep the air around healthy and also make a statement decor piece. We hope our tips and tricks on the Selloum Philodendron plant care have helped you know all about the details of its needs and you will get one of these for yourself soon!
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