Philodendron Lynamii: Crucial Care Tips for this Aroid Plant

The Philodendron lynamii is a rare plant that was named after a plant collector called Ralph Lynam. The plant is an Aroideae, which is the subgroup of the Araceae family and can reach a height of three feet if grown indoors.

The Philodendron lynamii is usually grown as a houseplant because of its attractive leaves that can make your home garden classy.

Read this article to gain more information on how to care for this enchanting, air-purifying houseplant.

What Is Philodendron Lynamii?

The Philodendron lynamii is a low-maintenance plant that is native to the rainforests of Tarapoto and Peru. This Philodendron lynamii crawler has large heart-shaped, dark green, and deep pink leaves. The pink leaves change to green when they reach maturity and they can grow up to 10 inches long.

Philodendron Lynamii Care

The Philodendron lynamii does not require special plant care requirements for it to grow healthy. The plant can grow well with minimum attention though neglecting it for a long period can affect its well-being.

Water Requirements

You should water Philodendron lynamii twice or thrice a week in summer as the potting mix dries quickly due to too high temperatures. In winter, reduce the watering to once after two or three weeks. Allow the top two-inch potting mix to dry between waterings. You can also water your Philodendron when half of the potting soil is dry as the plant is relatively drought tolerant.

The Philodendron lynamii has thick leaves because it stores some water in them. So, the plant can tolerate underwatering but not for an extended period. You should avoid overwatering your beauty to reduce the risk of root rot. The potting mix should drain water easily to avoid waterlogging conditions.

We recommend that you use lukewarm water that is chlorine-free when watering your plant. Cold water can slow down the growth of your Philodendron lynamii. To get rid of the chlorine in tap water, place the bowl filled with water outside while open for at least 24 hours. The chlorine can cause yellowing and browning leaves and edges, respectively.

Light Requirements

Place your Philodendron lynamii on the east or south-facing window for it to get enough, bright sunlight. The light should be dappled to prevent the rays from hitting the plant directly.

The Philodendron grows many large leaves when it gets sufficient sunlight but too much direct light can cause the plant’s foliage to turn yellow or pale. So, consider placing your Philodendron lynamii three feet away from the window to protect the plant from intense sun rays.

If you are staying in an environment that is not providing enough light for your plant to grow well, consider getting a grow light. The Philodendron lynamii can suffer stunted growth if it is placed in dark or deem spots for a long period. You should use the grow light correctly by following the instructions on the manufacturer’s manual so that you don’t burn the plant foliage.

If the sun falls on the spot where your Philodendron lynamii is or changes location because of the season, move the plant to another place or window where it will get sufficient light. You should also rotate the Philodendron lynamii regularly for even distribution of light for the whole plant. This helps to enhance a balanced growth on your plant’s foliage.

Soil Requirements

A well-draining, light, loose potting mix that is rich in organic matter is best for the Philodendron lynamii. Mix one part perlite, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and three parts orchid bark. 

The soil mix drains water easily, retains moisture to keep the plant’s roots hydrated, and allows the air to circulate well. This way, your Philodendron lynamii will be free from waterlogging and overwatering, thereby reducing the chances of fungal infection.

The Philodendron lynamii prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils so the pH level between six and seven is ideal. The slightly acidic soil is crucial in fighting infectious diseases and also facilitates the absorption of nutrients.

Temperature Requirements

The ideal temperature range for the Philodendron lynamii is from 60 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Philodendron lynamii grows happily and optimally in warm environments. The plant is not cold hardy so you should not expose it to freezing temperatures. The Philodendron can tolerate high-temperature ranges of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Exposing your Philodendron lynamii to very high temperatures can lead to dehydration unless you are watering it regularly. Temperatures that are also below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can cause slowed or stunted growth and the plant may eventually die.

We recommend you to keep the Philodendron lynamii indoors in winter if you are staying in places that experience frosts and cold drafts. Consider placing your plant outside in summer, preferably in the morning and late afternoon when the sun rays are not intense.

Humidity Requirements

The Philodendron lynamii can grow bigger, faster, and produce many leaves if placed in a spot with moderate to high humidity levels of 70 to 90 percent. The color of the plant will also become vibrant in such an environment.

On the other hand, these high humidity levels can put the health of your Philodendron lynamii at risk of being infected by bacteria and fungi. Hence, you can protect your plant from these diseases by keeping the humidity at moderate levels.

We recommend that get a hygrometer to test humidity levels for easy identification of any changes in atmospheric moisture in your plant’s vicinity. The Philodendron lynamii can also survive in low humidity levels of 40 percent. You should avoid very low humidity levels as they can cause permanent damage to your Philodendron lynamii. The plant’s leaf margins and tips will turn brown.

You can rectify low humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or installing a humidifier. After misting, make sure the room is well-ventilated so that the water droplets on the leaves can evaporate quickly to avoid leaf rot.

The pebble tray can be effective and is less costly but you should be watchful so that the pot will not sit in water so that you avoid creating soggy potting soil. You can also get the best results using a humidifier.

Fertilizing Requirements

The Philodendron lynamii will appreciate the addition of NPK fertilizers during its growing season. Use water-soluble or slow-release fertilizers. We recommend that you dilute a well-balanced water-soluble fertilizer to half-strength to neutralize the mineral salts in it. Apply the fertilizer once every four to six weeks in spring and summer.

If you are using a slow-release fertilizer, apply it once or twice during the growing season. The Philodendron lynamii requires magnesium and calcium for it to be healthy and maintain impressive leaf color. Therefore, you should get a fertilizer with both micro and macro-nutrients. Do not apply the fertilizers in winter because the plant will be in its dormant stage.

You should also avoid over-fertilizing your Philodendron lynamii as it may suffer root burn.

Pruning Requirements

The health Philodendron lynamii should not be pruned because its leaves and stems make the whole plant elegant. Therefore, you can only prune the lynamii if there are dead, diseased, or over-mature leaves.

You can also trim the Philodendron lynamii if you want to reduce its size. Pruning can also stimulate the growth of new healthier leaves, thereby further increasing your plant’s beauty.

Use cutting tools that are clean, sharp, and disinfected. A sharp knife or shear will leave a clean, sharp-angled cut that is not easily affected by diseases. We recommend that you prune your Philodendron lynamii in late winter and summer so that it can heal and establish quickly. This is because the plant is active during this season.

Also, water your Philodendron lynamii after pruning to minimize stress.

 

Propagation

Multiplying the Philodendron lynamii can easily be done using stem cuttings. Propagating using cuttings is easy and effective unlike using the Philodendron lynamii seeds. Be sure to propagate your plant in the summer.

– Stem Cuttings

Prepare your tools and make sure they are clean, sharp, and sterilized using ethanol or rubbing alcohol. Cut a four to six-inch stem from a healthy Philodendron lynamii to increase the chances of being successful. The stem cutting should have the leaves and a node where the roots will develop. Please note that you should allow the stem cutting to callous overnight prior to planting.

Dip the cutting in the rooting hormone to encourage the development of roots but remember that this step is optional. Plant the cutting in a pot with a moistened potting mix and firm the soil around the plant to keep it standing.

Then, water your cutting thoroughly and place it in a spot where it receives bright, filtered light. You should keep the potting mix moist for the plant to develop new growth.

Transfer the new plant to its permanent home when you see two or three new leaves developing. This number of leaves is also a good sign that the plant has developed a couple of roots.

You can now start parenting the new Philodendron lynamii the same way as you would do for the mother plant. Using a stem cutting to propagate Philodendron lynamii is advantageous as the new plant will have the exact features as the old one.

Problems

Like any other houseplant, the Philodendron lynamii can be affected by pests and diseases. Always check for common problems so that you can identify them at an early stage before they cause serious damage to your lynamii.

– Spider Mites

Spider mites are minute arachnid-type insects that are 0.02 inches long. These pests have reddish, oval-shaped bodies and they exist in colonies. Spider mites use their mouthparts to draw the sap from your plant’s leaves. If you are suspecting a spider mite infestation, check for these pests on the undersides of the leaves where they can appear as red dots.

The spider mites cause light color spots on the affected leaves and they also spin a fine web. The Philodendron lynamii’s leaves can also turn yellow, dry, and fall off if the spider mites are not controlled in time. The Philodendron lynamii can then fail to photosynthesize as the pests would have sucked all the chlorophyll.

Once you notice that your Philodendron has been attacked by spider mites, isolate the plant immediately and prune the affected parts.

You can then treat the plant using insecticidal soap or Neem oil but seriously damaged Philodendron lynamii should be destroyed. Spray the Neem oil or Insecticidal soap every three to five days for about two to three weeks. Make sure you kill all the pests before stopping the treatment.

– Aphids

Aphids also feast on your plant’s juice. The pest pierces the plant leaves mostly on new growths and sucks the sap. The aphids are found in different colors including brown, red, yellow, and green. These pests usually hide on the undersides of the foliage and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew.

The honeydew attracts ants and that’s how you can easily notice that your Philodendron lynamii is affected by aphids. Dust particles and some debris can also stick to the honeydew and form brown-like spots on the leaves.

Always quarantine the infested Philodendron lynamii and treat it using Neem oil. You can as well use other organic insecticides.

– Mealybugs

Mealybugs are also tiny sap-sucking pests that are covered with a white wax-like substance. These pests excrete honeydew as well. The infected Philodendron lynamii will show signs of wilting and stunted growth. The leaves become yellow and start to curl.

Mealybugs can be easy to control if observed in time as they reproduce slowly. The methods of control you use on aphids and spider mites can as well work on mealybugs. The 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol can also be used to treat these pests as it dissolves the mealybugs’ shells. Dip the cotton balls in the Isopropyl alcohol and dab directly on the pest.

– Scales

Scales are found on new growths, stems, and leaves of your Philodendron lynamii. It can be difficult to notice scale infestation at an early stage. So you should check for raised bumps on your plants if you suspect the availability of scales. The scales are immobile so do not expect to see them moving around your Philodendron lynamii.

After some time, you might notice the yellowing of leaves and if not controlled, the plant can even die. Isolate the infected lynamii and commence treatment immediately using Neem oil or other methods that we mentioned for controlling mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Neem oil is effective, considering that it destroys the pests at all stages of their reproduction cycle.

– Bacterial Leaf Spot

Bacterial leaf spot is caused by a pathogen called the Xanthomonas campestris PV. This disease can turn the leaf margins brown with tan or yellow halos. The pathogens can easily migrate from one plant to another and can even be found in the potting soil.

The bacterial leaf spot can be controlled effectively using biological methods. Use organic fertilizers or soil amendments that contain microorganisms like mycorrhiza that can destroy the pathogens. You can also prevent the development of this disease by not practicing overhead irrigation. Do not water your plant’s leaves but if you mistakenly pour water on the foliage, make sure you quickly dry them.

Use a paper towel to dry the leaves. Alternatively, you can switch on the fan to circulate air so that the water on the foliage can quickly dry out.

– Root Rot

Root rot is a result of fungal infection. The infected plant may produce an unpleasant smell. The plant roots become mushy and black so they can fall off easily with a slight touch. If not treated, root rot can spread to the plant stem.

Root rot can be treated if it is detected at an early stage. You should uproot the plant and trim the affected roots first. Following this, spray the fungicides and allow the roots to dry in an airy, sunny spot. You can then repot the Philodendron lynamii in a new pot with fresh soil.

It is also possible to also propagate the plant using the healthy stem cutting to get a new lynamii and discard the rest. Destroy a heavily infected Philodendron lynamii as the fungicides may not work.

 

– Leaf Scorching

Light is an essential Philodendron lynanii care need but too much heat can cause leaf scorching. Your Philodendron lynamii can lose its color due to the formation of crispy, brown patches on the leaves. Leaf scorching can be prevented by keeping your plant indoors where it will get dappled sunlight.

– Toxicity

The Philodendron lynamii contains calcium oxalate crystals that are highly toxic to humans and pets. The plant can cause serious diarrhea and mouth swelling if ingested. Therefore, you should keep your plant away from the reach of children and pets.

FAQ

What is the lowest temperature Philodendron Lynamii can tolerate?

Philodendron Lynamii can tolerate temperatures as low as 55-60°F (13-16°C).

Does Philodendron Lynamii like to hang?

Philodendron Lynamii doesn’t naturally hang, but it can be trained with support.

Does Philodendron Lynamii prefer big pots?

Philodendron Lynamii thrives in medium-sized pots, but avoid excessively large ones to prevent waterlogging.

Conclusion

The educational information is now at your fingertips. You can now propagate and parent the plant the expert way that you can also market these plants on the Philodendron lynamii etsy. Before you leave, let’s quickly peruse the main points:

• The Philodendron lynamii prefers bright, filtered light.
• The plant thrives well in temperature ranges between 60 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate those around 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit as well.
• The plant loves moderate to high humidity levels that are between 70 to 90 percent.
• Mealybugs, aphids, scales, root rot, and bacterial leaf spot are the common pests and diseases for the Philodendron lynamii.

Get your stem cutting now or the baby plant from the Philodendron lynamii and start implementing all the tips you learned from this article. Enjoy every minute of parenting this stunning plant while benefiting from breathing quality air in the house!