Philodendron lupinum growPhilodendron lupinum is a climber plant that is unique for its progressive transformation as it grows.

The ever-changing nature of Philodendron lupinum will assure you of a different touch, look, and vibrancy to your home from time to time as it grows.

Such a special plant obviously has special but not energy-draining care requirements.

This article will provide you with tried and tested ideas for nurturing your ever-changing, climbing philodendron as your expertise transforms together with it.

Philodendron Lupinum Overview

The leaves of the young Philodendron lupinum are usually about two inches in size. At this stage, the tops of the leaves are velvety, while the lower sides are maroon. Philodendron lupinum leaves can grow up to 12 inches.

As the leaves grow in size, the upper sides adopt a glossy corrugated pattern, while the undersides retain their maroon appearance. The young Philodendron lupinum plant looks different in appearance when compared to the older version of the plant.

The velvety appearance of the leaves of the young plant is an adaptation for catching and refracting more light than the glossy leaf surfaces in older versions of the same plant. This explains why this vining plant is described as transforming or ever-changing.

It is also important to note that Philodendron lupinum is an epiphyte because it starts its early life in the canopy and gradually turns to its roots. Indoors, you can grow Philodendron lupinum in hanging baskets or pots.

If you grow your plant in a pot, dipping a burlap-wrapped pole or mossy post in the soil for the plant to climb works like magic in enhancing vigorous growth. Outdoors, Philodendron lupinum does well as a tree-wrap or ground cover.

Philodendron Lupinum Care

Philodendron lupinum requires little care in both indoor and outdoor settings. Let’s find out the dos and don’t for taking care of this plant in this section.

  • Light Requirements

The light requirements for Philodendron lupinum are higher than those of other houseplants. It requires about 70 to 80 percent sunlight exposure. Filtered light produces better results of growth than bright, direct light. If you expose your plant to bright direct light, its leaves might suffer sunburns.

It is always essential to inquire about the light condition under which your plant was being nurtured in the nursery. This way, you have an idea of the light ranges to avoid.

  • Water Requirements

Moist soils are conducive for the proper growth of Philodendron lupinum. However, in the event that you don’t water the plant for some reason, Philodendron lupinum is very drought tolerant. For this reason, it is suitable for offices where it can stay unattended for extended periods.

When you water your Philodendron lupinum, do so thoroughly until water begins to leak through the pot’s drainage holes. Ideally, the soil should be evenly moist throughout. Watering your plant from below is also another viable option.

This watering method makes the roots of your plant stronger as they reach down to get water. Moreover, watering from below reduces the chances of fungal infection on the topsoil.

If your plant seems so thirsty and its leaves drop, simply water it more regularly until it bounces back.

  • Soil Requirements

Philodendron lupinum requires soils that can drain well while retaining some moisture that the plant needs for its growth. Ideally, the soil for Philodendron lupinum should be rich in organic matter. Avoid soggy and too thirsty soils. Sandy soils are also not a good idea because they over drain and leach nutrients.

To prepare the soil for your plant, mix the same amounts of regular growers mix, orchid bark, and perlite. This soil mixture will allow for proper drainage and moisture retention while providing enough aeration for the roots. Another viable soil mix is made by combining equal amounts of vermiculite and peat moss.

Another interesting option is 100 percent moss. Going for this option widens your variety with regard to where you can grow your Philodendron lupinum. For example, you can use moss on bark or in a glass container, and your plant will still do extremely well.

  • Temperature Requirements

Temperature ranges between 55 F and 80 F are favorable for the healthy growth of Philodendron lupinum. These temperatures are easy to achieve in most home settings.

Philodendron lupinum is highly sensitive to frosty conditions. If your climate has low temperatures, we recommend that you keep your plant indoors, especially during the winter. Freezing and frost temperature are an outright “no-go” for Philodendron lupinum. Temperatures above 80 F will cause your plant to wilt.

Philodendron lupinum is not highly affected by drafts, but they don’t make your plant happy either. Therefore, avoid placing your plant close to heat sources.

  • Humidity Requirements

The hairs on the surface of the young Philodendron lupinum plants are also responsible for moisture-wicking. They make it impossible for moisture drops to sit on the plant’s leaves and come into contact with plant tissues. Stagnant water on leaves may cause molds and other problems.

Simply put, the velvety appearance on the surface of Philodendron lupinum leaves is an adaptation that enables the plant to survive conditions of high humidity. However, this plant still does well in humidity levels that are available in many homes. Your Philodendron lupinum will thrive well in humidity conditions above 60 percent.

If the humidity conditions in your home are very low, get your plant through a gradual change until it adapts. You can use methods such as misting to create a more humid environment for your Philodendron lupinum. Gradually reduce the humidity with time until it adapts to the conditions in your home.

  • Fertilizing Requirements

Fertilizing can increase the growth rate of your Philodendron lupinum. When applying the fertilizer, be sure to place it about six inches away from the plant’s base to avoid burning your precious philodendron. You can even water your plant before applying fertilizers for the same reason.

Opt for liquid fertilizers and dilute them to 50 percent of their strength before use. Apply the fertilizer once a month and reduce your frequency during winter. Steer clear from some cheap fertilizers that have high concentrations of heavy salts. Such fertilizers damage your plant’s roots and ultimately kill it.

Ideally, select fertilizers that are rich in calcium and magnesium. These two nutrients are essential to your Philodendron lupinum to the extent that their deficiency causes pale leaves.

Transplanting

When you receive your new plant, you can keep it for some time before replanting it in your favorite pot or hanging basket. All you need to do is place the Philodendron lupinum in a container with approximately half an inch of clean water in it. You can then add some mulch to support the plant and provide it with the nutrients it awaits replanting.

Whether you are using a patio or indoor container, choose a size that allows for unrestricted growth. Ideally, the container should have a depth of 10 inches and a diameter between 10 and 20 inches. The more room the roots of your plant have, the taller it can grow.

Once your Philodendron lupinum becomes rootbound, its growth becomes impeded, but this can be rectified by transferring the plant to a bigger pot.

Since the Philodendron lupinum is an epiphytic plant, it can be potted in a variety of ways. A terracotta pot, tree bark, or sphagnum moss in a glass container are some of the options that you can explore for growing your plant.

Philodendron lupinum humidity needs

Propagation

Just like other philodendrons, Philodendron lupinum is easy to multiply. We recommend using stem cuttings because the propagation procedure can be easily handled by a beginner. Moreover, the cutting easily adapts to the new soil and develops roots in no time.

To propagate your Philodendron lupinum through cuttings, select a healthy, mature, but not too old branch and check it for any type of pests.

Your cutting should have at least one leaf and one node, but it should never be bigger than 30 percent of the original plant. If you prefer cuttings with one leaf and one node, prepare your cuttings in such a way that the leaf remains attached to an intact node.

In case you choose the longer branch cutting, be sure to remove the bottom leaves from the cutting to expose the node.

Place your cutting in water, making sure that the node is completely submerged. Alternatively, wrap the node with sphagnum moss and leave the roots to develop until they are a few inches long.

You can then transfer your plant to the pot that you have prepared or leave it to grow in sphagnum moss permanently. Either way, expect new growth within the next four weeks.

Problems

With proper care, Philodendron lupinum can stay problem-free. If you want to protect your plant from obvious problems, some of the main things to consider are ensuring that the soil is well-draining and aerated.

Applying a liquid fertilizer once every month can also be very beneficial. Treating your Philodendron lupinum regularly with insecticides will protect it from attack by insects. Let’s discuss some of the relatively common problems of Philodendron lupinum and recommended strategies for troubleshooting them.

  • Yellowing Lower Leaves

If you notice that the bottom leaves of your plant are wilting and yellowing, this might be a sign that you are overwatering the plant. It could also imply that you are underwatering the plant.

If you have been watering your plant regularly, you might need to give it a break for a while. This will give your Philodendron lupinum time to recover while the soggy soils drain the excess moisture. Also, check to see if the soil has not become too compacted enough to reduce its draining capacity.

If it has been a while since you last gave your plant a drink, the yellowing leaves might be a sign that it is thirsty. Thoroughly water the Philodendron lupinum until water starts coming out through the pot’s drainage holes. Again, soils that drain too much might cause leaf yellowing because they can’t hold the moisture that the plant needs.

  • Bacterial Leaf Spot

Bacterial leaf spot is characterized by dark, damp spots on the leaves of your Philodendron lupinum. Isolate it from the other plants to avoid cross-infection once you notice that your plant has been affected by a bacterial leaf spot.

If the bacterial leaf spot is localized to a particular region on the Philodendron lupinum, cut off the affected part to save your plant. If the infection has already spread to other parts of the plant, there isn’t much that you can do to save the plant. However, incinerating the plant might help you to contain the situation.

  • Mealybugs

Philodendron lupinum is highly susceptible to attack by mealybugs. To reduce the chances of your plant being attacked by mealybugs, avoid unnecessarily and excessively applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Doing so creates a conducive environment for the mealybugs to lay their eggs and breed.

If you notice mealybugs at an earlier stage, they would still be in smaller, manageable numbers. You can dip a cotton ball in 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and dab the small insects with it. This alcohol dissolves the protective coating of mealybugs and their eggs, thereby destroying them. Watering an affected plant using a garden horse can help to wash the mealybugs and their eggs off.

Higher infestations of mealybugs require more harsh strategies for pest control. Controlling mealybugs using chemical treatment is difficult because the coating that covers these insects makes them resistant. Moreover, mealy bugs prefer hidden areas where insecticide sprays do not easily reach them. If you want to use insecticidal control for mealybugs, use Neem oil; it won’t disappoint.

  • Aphids

Aphids are tiny green insects that are often found on soft parts of your plant. These sucking pests survive by drawing sap from the tissues of your plant, thereby destroying it. If not quickly attended to, aphids multiply at a fast rate.

The first step in controlling aphids is quarantining your plant so that other clean plants are not infested, too.

Wash off the aphids that you can see with cold water using a garden hose. You can then wash your plant’s leaves using liquid soap and water to kill the aphids upon contact with the soap. Be sure to test your soap by applying it to one of the plant’s leaves.

Neem oils also work well against aphids. Alternatively, you can make your own homemade spray by mixing one part of white vinegar with three parts of water. Pour this vinegar solution into a garden sprayer and spray all parts of the infested plant.

  • Scale

If you don’t check well, you might be unable to identify scale bugs because they resemble young serial roots on Philodendron lupinum. Check the stem and nodes of your plant for tiny brown shells that a fingernail can easily remove. Those shells cover nasty insects that are busy feasting on the sap of your plant.

Scale usually develops resistance to most insecticides that are available in stores. They might seem susceptible at first, but they quickly develop resistance and attack the plant in even greater numbers. Therefore, the best way to win the battle against these tiny insects is by acting as soon as you notice their unwelcome presence.

Prune off infected parts of your Philodendron lupinum. If the scale bugs exist in small numbers, you can hand-pick or rub them off. You can also try insecticidal soaps and Neem oil, keeping in mind that you are dealing with insects that easily develop resistance against pesticides.

Conclusion

If you have been looking for a plant that will give you a new experience in “plant parenting,” Philodendron lupinum is certainly one of the options to look at.

Let’s recapture the main points of what you learned once again:

  • Philodendron lupinum is a unique, climbing epiphyte that belongs to the Araceae family of plants.
  • The leaves of this plant go through an amazing transformation from being small, with a velvety surface, to being big, with a glossy upperside.
  • Philodendron lupinum thrives well under bright, indirect sunlight. Its leaves can be scorched by bright direct sunlight.
  • This plant is relatively drought resistant and can quickly bounce back when it gets water. However, regular watering is ideal for the plant’s growth.
  • Philodendron lupinum requires soils that are well-draining, relatively moisture-retaining, and properly aerated.
  • Temperature conditions that range between 55 F and 80 F are conducive for the growth of Philodendron lupinum.
  • The leaves of Philodendron lupinum are well-adapted for high humidity conditions, especially the velvety young ones. The hairs on the leaf surface do not allow water to be stagnant on the surface of leaves. However, Philodendron lupinum can gradually adapt to environments with lower humidity.
  • You can fertilize Philodendron lupinum to enhance its growth. Use diluted soluble fertilizers once every month and reduce the frequency in winter.
  • You can transplant your Philodendron lupinum when it becomes root-bound. The more space you give to the roots of your plant, the taller the plant grows.
  • Propagation of Philodendron lupinum is best done through stem cuttings.
  • Be on the lookout for pests such as aphids, scale, and mealybugs.
  • Other problems that you should take heed of are the bacterial leaf spot and yellowing of the leaves of your plant.

Philodendron lupinum propagation

Now that you have all the information that you need at the tips of your fingertips, it’s time to explore the practical feel of taking care of the ever-amazing Philodendron lupinum. Enjoy the experience!

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