The Jungle Boogie Philodendron is a gorgeous air-purifying, perennial, tropical plant native to parts of South America.
Some of its common names include the Philodendron Tiger Tooth, Philodendron Crocodile Tail, Philodendron Henderson’s Pride and Philodendron Caramel Marble Green.
It helps remove pollutants commonly found in most households such as formaldehyde and benzene. Read our care guide to learn all about how to grow and care for it.
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What Is Jungle Boogie Philodendron?
Philodendron Jungle Boogie, also known as the Philodendron Crocodile Tail is a tropical, Thai hybrid plant with large, green leaves belonging to the Araceae family. Philodendron Jungle Boogie’s scientific name is Philodendron Jungle Boogie Narrow or Philodendron Narrow.
Philodendron Jungle Boogie Care
Philodendron Narrow Tiger Tooth is an easy-care plant with minimal care requirements, it can easily be taken care of even if you are an absolute beginner.
– Water Requirements
This Philodendron prefers a relatively dry soil medium at most times compared to its other Philodendron counterparts. Water the plant when the soil dries considerably. Allowing the soil to dry out helps in keeping the plant free from rot.
The watering frequency will depend on the temperature and humidity levels in your area. Water the plant thoroughly each time making sure that it flows out of the bottom drainage holes. Watering thoroughly ensures that it reaches and wets all the plant roots.
Always make sure you water the soil and avoid overhead watering to protect the narrow leaves from rot and fungal infections. Water sitting on the leaves for longer periods increases the chances of rot.
– Light Requirements
This narrow-leafed plant needs bright, indirect light to grow well. Any partially shaded spot that receives a little bit of direct sunlight in the morning and evening works well for its growth. A north or east-facing window works well for its growth.
Avoid placing your plant in direct sunlight as it causes leaf burns and may even kill the plant. Exposure to bright indirect light for six to eight hours is a must for this plant’s healthy growth. Watch the signs that the plant is trying to give to determine how much light it needs.
If the leaves appear scorched with brown burn spots, shift them to a shady spot away from direct sunlight. If the plant stems seem leggy and stretched out with fewer leaves, it is not receiving enough light.
– Soil Requirements
The Crocodile Tail plant needs a rich and well-draining soil mix to grow well. To prepare a well-draining and moisture-retentive soil medium, mix 30 percent soil potting soil with 35 percent coco coir and 25 percent vermi compost or any organic compost. Add some perlite for extra drainage.
Coco coir helps increase the moisture retention in the soil, helping the plant grow efficiently in dry areas. If you tend to overwater your plants often and live in a tropical area with high humidity conditions, add lots of perlite in your soil mix as it helps to make the soil aerated.
If you are new to gardening and often tend to overwater the plants, we recommend using terracotta or clay pots to grow your plants as they can absorb the excess moisture from the soil preventing problems like rot and fungal diseases. Plastic and ceramic pots cannot do that and there are high chances of rot if there is a lack of drainage.
– Temperature Requirements
This Philodendron thrives in the temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you bring the plant indoors when the temperatures outdoors fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit as it is not cold and frost-hardy.
Remember to keep it in a warm and bright spot away from airy and drafty windows so that your plant won’t be damaged in any way.
– Humidity Requirements
The Narrow Leaf Philodendron prefers highly humid conditions to grow well. The humidity levels needs to be above 60 percent to grow glossy leaves. Moderate and consistent temperatures help this tropical plant to grow glossier and healthier foliage.
Keep the plant far away from air conditioners or air vents, and heaters as dry air can make the leaves crispy and brown. To maintain high humidity levels, keep a humidifier or a humidity tray near the plant. Fill a shallow tray with some pebbles and water and keep your plant on it to prepare a humidity tray.
With high humidity conditions, make sure that the air around your Philodendron is moving. Lack of air movement increases the chances of rot and fungal infections. The spot should be well-ventilated with a balance of light, air, and humidity.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Extra nutrient boost at regular intervals can make your Crocodile Philodendron healthier. Use a well-balanced, liquid fertilizer to feed your plant from spring to summer. You do not need to fertilize it in winters as the plant hardly shows any new growth.
Fertilizing the plant once a month during the period of active growth helps keep the plant healthy. Avoid overfeeding your plant as too much fertilizer causes the salts to accumulate in the soil leading to root burn.
Signs of overfertilizing include leaf drops, yellowing and wilting of leaves, and a white fertilizer crust on the soil surface. If you suspect root burn in the plant, remove it from the soil and replace its soil mix.
– Pruning
The Crocodile Tail Philodendron needs pruning at regular intervals for proper growth. Use the pruned cuttings for propagating the plant. Prune the dead or damaged leaves to let the plant focus its energy on the rest of the plant. Use clean and sterilized cutting tools to prune the plant.
Propagating the Jungle Boogie Philodendron
The Crocodile Tail plant can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. You can propagate the cutting in soil and water. Choose the medium according to your preferences. The ideal time to propagate the plant is in early spring when the plant comes out of dormancy and produces new growth. Let us take a detailed look at both methods.
– Soil Propagation
Choose a healthy and mature stem to take the cutting. It should be at least four to six inches long with two to three nodes. Make a clean cut below a node using a clean pair of scissors. A node is a point from where the roots grow.
Remove the leaves from the bottom leaving only the top one or two leaves. Prepare a well-draining soil mix and place the cuttings in the soil, firming the soil around the nodes. Make sure you keep the soil moist at all times initially.
Keep the planted cuttings in a bright but shaded spot away from direct sunlight. Let them acclimatize to the new soil environment. Wait for two to three weeks until the roots develop. It takes about a month for the roots to fully grow.
– Water Propagation
Propagate your Philodendron Henderson’s Pride in water if you enjoy the process of root growth. Take the cutting and place it in a jar of water keeping the nodes dipped in water. Choose a transparent jar or glass so that you can keep a watch on root growth.
Make sure you change the water every two to three days to prevent rot. Always take three to four cuttings for propagation so that even if one or two cuttings rot, you still have more cuttings successfully rooting.
Place the jar of water in a bright spot and once the roots are about an inch long after a month or so, shift it to an airy soil mix. After planting the cuttings, you might notice them wilting, but it is normal. It is due to transplant shock. Just make sure you keep it in a bright shaded spot and the soil should be moist at all times.
Problems
The Narrow-Leaf Philodendron is a problem-free plant but there can be some minor issues that you can face if the plant does not receive the optimal growth conditions. Let us take a look at some of them so that you can diagnose the problem and treat it accordingly.
– Root Rot
Root rot is a very common problem faced by most plants. It is not easy to control rot but if spotted early, you can save your plant. If there seems to be an overwatering-related problem, check the plant roots and replace the soil mix.
Make sure that the soil and container you are using to grow the plant have sufficient drainage. Always check the soil before watering. It helps prevent problems related to both underwatering and overwatering.
– Yellowing and Browning of Leaf Tips
There could be many reasons behind the yellowing and browning of foliage. It could be due to low humidity, high temperatures, too much fertilizer, or a poor watering schedule. Look out for the signs your plant is trying to give to you and treat them.
Maintain high humidity with moderately warm temperatures to keep the plant healthy. Yellowing is often caused by too much light. Shift your plant to a shadier spot that receives indirect light.
– Leaf Drop
Leaf drop or drooping of leaves happens when the plant is thirsty and has not received water for quite some time. A quick watering would solve the problem but do not let the plant reach this stage as constant droopiness can make the plant weak.
Sometimes, pest-infected plants also face curling and drooping in leaves. Carefully watch the symptoms and act accordingly.
– Mealybugs
Mealybugs can cause major problems for your plant if you ignore their initial symptoms. They secrete honeydew that causes sooty mold on the foliage. Mealybugs cause yellowing and drooping in the leaves.
Use an alcohol-dipped cotton swab to rub on the affected parts to remove the insects. Repeat this process regularly until all insects die. Use a neem oil spray and spray it as a preventative measure.
– Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking insects and range in different colors from black to red to green. You can find these pests on the leaf undersides and around the tender stem regions. These insects can spread to other houseplants if you do not isolate the infected plant.
To get rid of aphids, wrap the soil with plastic first. Then give the plant a good wash outdoors. Most aphids will simply wash off and would not cause much of a problem. Use neem oil spray or horticultural oil regularly to eliminate them.
– Spider Mites
Spider mites are quite common in most houseplants. They initially cause brown and yellow dots on the foliage but when they spread, you will see sticky webs on the leaves and stems. If ignored for long periods, the plant can suffer hugely.
To reduce the spider mites, wash off the plant with a steady stream of water. Giving a good soak helps to dislodge these unwanted pests. If it does not work out and the infestation is severe, use neem oil sprays or insecticidal soap solution. Increase the humidity levels around the plant to keep them at bay.
– Fungus Gnats
These small, gray-black insects feed on the organic matter present in the soil around the root system. They can be detrimental to the plant if ignored for a long time. If you notice the grayish-black insects on your plant’s leaves, reduce the watering frequency.
Let the topsoil dry out completely in between watering as gnats are attracted to wet soil conditions. Spray the plant and soil with hydrogen peroxide to kill the gnats.
– Scale Insects
Scale insects look like small green, gray, and brown lumps on the foliage and stems. These insects usually do not move and are stationary once they stick to the plant. Use neem oil spray if the infestation is mild.
Dilute the neem oil or any horticultural oil in water and spray it on the affected parts of the plant. Use these regularly to reduce their spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Is the Philodendron Jungle Boogie Variegated Toxic?
The Crocodile Tail Philodendron is toxic to both humans and pets. It can be poisonous if ingested. We would recommend keeping it away at a height from kids and pets. Ingestion can cause swelling in the throat and tongue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
– Philodendron Jungle Boogie vs Ring of Fire – Are They Same?
The Narrow Philodendron has plain green leaves whereas the Philodendron Ring of Fire has narrow leaves with yellow, orange, and red patches.
– How Big Does the Jungle Boogie Philodendron Get?
When grown in pots and containers in indoor spaces, its height ranges between two to three feet, and its width can go up to 10 inches. The leaves grow in a zig-zag pattern giving the plant a groovy look. It grows actively from spring to summer and slows down in fall going into dormancy in winters.
The Crocodile Tail Philodendron is an easy and fast-growing plant with a moderate growth rate. Even though its parent plants come from the rainforests of Mexico and parts of South America, this hybrid was created in Thailand. It is a mix of Philodendron Tortum and Philodendron Wendlandii.
– How Do I Repot my Philodendron Jungle?
This plant needs to be repotted every one to two years depending on how much its root system develops. Whenever the plant gets top-heavy and its roots start coming out of the drainage holes, make sure you shift it to a larger pot.
While repotting, make sure that you do not disturb the main root ball. If the plant was previously in a six-inch pot, repot it in an eight to 10-inch pot in a rich and aerated soil medium. Go only one size up in pots as potting the plant in very big pots can make the plant susceptible to root rot.
– Why Are the Roots of the Philodendron Jungle Boogie Important?
The Philodendron Jungle Boogie has an extensive root system that overtakes the plant every two to three years, which is why the roots have a crucial role in the plant’s growth. The roots run deep into the soil.
It also has aerial roots that grow and climb over other moist surfaces of large trees. These aerial roots help in absorbing moisture and nutrients. Whenever you water the plant, mist these roots for added moisture and increased humidity.
Conclusion
Let us sum up all the important points you need to remember before growing this beauty.
- The Narrow Philodendron is a tropical plant with narrow, green tiger-toothed leaves with serrated edges.
- It thrives in bright indirect light under warm and humid growing conditions.
- Feed the plant monthly using a well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer from spring to summer.
- It can face problems like pests and issues like leaf drops, yellowing, and browning of leaves but it can be treated if spotted early.
We hope our care tips have helped you know all about this gorgeous Philodendron, you will get one of these for yourself!
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