Philodendron Moonlight: Bask in the Glow of This Amazing Plant

Philodendron moonlight is a top pick among avid houseplant collectors. With its amazingly vivid foliage and fairly basic growing requirements, there’s a lot to love about it. Growing your own at home doesn’t have to be difficult, and in this care guide, we’ll show you all you need to know.

What Is Philodendron Moonlight?

Philodendron moonlight is a philodendron hybrid grown for its gorgeous evergreen foliage. It enjoys great popularity among houseplant lovers due to its thick, glossy leaves, which have come in vivid shades ranging from neon green to lime and bright chartreuse. This plant also produces a showy inflorescence, with a white spadix and a pink spathe that usually lasts for a month.

Philodendron Moonlight

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When grown indoors, philodendron moonlight can get quite large and can easily reach 26 inches (66 cm) in height and width. The leaves can grow up to one foot (30 cm) in length, and gradually change their shape from oval to slightly elongated. As the plant matures, the leaves also become thicker, with the prominent veins giving them a bit of a corrugated look.

Unlike most philodendrons, which have vining stems, the moonlight philodendron is a self-heading variety. This means that the leaves grow very close together in a rosette, and you can only see the stem once some of the older leaves wilt and fall off. It also makes it a great choice if you’re looking for a philodendron that doesn’t need any support to climb on.

– Is Philodendron Moonlight Toxic?

The leaves of philodendron moonlight contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritations, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and throat and mouth pain. We recommend keeping this plant out of reach of pets and children.

Philodendron Moonlight Care Guide

Philodendron moonlight is an easy-to-grow indoor plant. Let’s take a close look at what you need to do to keep this plant happy.

– Light Requirements

Keep your philodendron moonlight in a part of the house that gets plenty of bright indirect light. A room with eastern or western exposure would be ideal. You can also keep it in a room that’s facing south, but if you do, keep the plant at least two feet away from the window.

A couple of hours of direct sun in the morning and evening will help the plant thrive, but the intense midday sun will scorch the foliage.

– Temperature Requirements

The ideal temperature range for growing philodendron moonlight indoors is between 65 and 78 F (18 to 25 C). If you plan to grow it outdoors, you can do so in USDA zones 10 and 11. Keep in mind that all philodendron varieties will struggle to grow if temperatures drop below 60 F (15 C) and can suffer permanent damage if exposed to 50 F (10 C) for long periods.

– Water Requirements

Water your philodendron moonlight when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. The soil should be kept moist but not soaked to prevent fungal and bacterial problems, such as root rot. We recommend using the soak and drain method for watering this plant.

This will ensure that the soil is evenly moist, will gradually flush out fertilizer salts, and will push out low-oxygen air pockets within the substrate.

On average, you will need to water your philodendron moonlight once a week throughout the growing season, from spring until mid-autumn. In winter, you can reduce your watering schedule to once every 7 – 10 days.

The plant’s water needs will change depending on temperature, humidity, amount of light, and size of the plant. As a result, you should always test the top inch of the soil with your finger before watering your philodendron again.

– Humidity Requirements

Philodendron moonlight is not as pretentious as other philodendrons when it comes to humidity. Ideally, this plant should be grown at a humidity level of at least 50 percent. However, its thick, leathery leaves allow it to withstand the average home humidity without developing dry, crispy edges. If you want to keep it happy, we recommend keeping it on top of a pebble tray and making sure that the soil doesn’t dry out too much.

– Soil Requirements

The best soil mix for philodendron moonlight should be well-draining, aerated, moisture-retentive, and rich in organic matter. This plant is not drought tolerant, but at the same time, it doesn’t like having ‘wet feet’. Using the right type of substrate will prevent problems caused by overwatering, such as root rot.

We recommend using the following blend of potting mediums for your philodendron moonlight:

• two parts peat moss
• one part perlite or pumice
• one part orchid bark

You can also add a handful of horticultural charcoal to the mix. This ingredient is an excellent addition to soil mixes for plants that need a moist substrate due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

– Fertilizer Requirements

Your philodendron moonlight will benefit from a monthly fertilizer application throughout the growing season. A balanced, universal fertilizer with a 10-10-10 nutrient ratio should be more than enough. Dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the label. The plant won’t need any additional feeding during winter.

– Pruning and Maintenance

Philodendron moonlight doesn’t require pruning. This plant does not produce long vines like other philodendron varieties, meaning that it retains a compact shape. On occasion, you may need to trim some of the older, yellowing leaves from the bottom of the plant. Always use a sharp, sterilized blade to prune the plant.

To keep the leaves healthy and glossy, we also recommend giving them a gentle wipe with a damp cloth once a week. This will remove the dust from the foliage, and it’s also a great opportunity to inspect the plant for any signs of pests.

– Repotting Philodendron Moonlight

The philodendron moonlight growth rate is slow to medium, so you will only need to repot this plant once every two or three years. You can tell that it needs repotting when the roots start coming out of the drainage hole. When that happens, simply move the plant to a container that’s one size larger or 2 inches (5 cm) wider. Repotting philodendron moonlight is best done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.

Philodendron Moonlight Propagation Guide

The easiest method to propagate philodendron moonlight is through stem cuttings. Nurseries and expert horticulturists usually propagate this plant through tissue culture. However, this method is too slow, complicated, and labor-intensive for most indoor gardeners. A large, mature plant can also be propagated through plant division by separating it into several clumps when repotting it.

To propagate philodendron moonlight through stem cuttings, use a sharp, sterilized blade to cut the stem between two growth nodes. If you can, try cutting a stem section that has already developed some aerial roots. The leaves grow very closely together, so be careful not to damage their petioles in the process.

Once you have your cuttings, you can root them in water, sphagnum moss, or even plant them directly in the soil. The philodendron moonlight cuttings will take around two or three weeks to develop roots and another month to become established in the soil.

Common Pests and Problems

Philodendron moonlight is a hardy plant, and it shouldn’t give you too much trouble. The thick leaves are resistant to pests and diseases, as well as low humidity, but can easily be scorched by too much sun. Also, overwatering can lead to problems such as root rot. Here are a few signs that your plant is struggling.

– Leaves With Brown Spots

This can be a symptom of either too much sun or too much water. If the brown areas are soft to the touch, or if they have a yellow contour, this could indicate a fungal problem.

– Yellowing Leaves

If the leaves on your philodendron moonlight are paler than usual, this is a symptom of either not enough light or overwatering. In the case of stem cuttings, it is an early symptom of root and stem rot.

– Leaves With Yellow Streaks

Variegated philodendron moonlight does exist, but if you notice that the leaves are suddenly developing yellowing streaks, followed by the leaf becoming distorted, there’s a chance that your plant has the mosaic virus.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I train my Philodendron Moonlight to trail?

To train your Philodendron Moonlight to trail, prune the top of the plant and regularly pinch new growth to encourage lateral growth.

2. How do I know if my Philodendron Moonlight is root-bound?

Check if the roots are growing out of the drainage holes, if so, it may be root-bound. Gently remove it from the pot to inspect.

3. Can Philodendron Moonlight grow in a greenhouse?

Yes, Philodendron Moonlight can grow in a greenhouse as long as the temperature, light, and humidity levels are appropriate for its growth.

Conclusion

With its stunning neon green leaves and low maintenance requirements, the philodendron moonlight is an excellent choice for any indoor gardener.

Let’s do a quick recap of what you need to know about this gorgeous houseplant:

• Philodendron moonlight is a philodendron hybrid with large, glossy, vivid green leaves.
• It is not a climber, but it can grow more than two feet in height and width.
• To keep it healthy, provide it with bright indirect light, regular watering, and a well-draining soil mix.
• Philodendron moonlight is easy to propagate through stem cuttings, but you can also use plant division for large specimens.
• It is resistant to most pests and diseases, but too much direct sun and overwatering can cause problems for this plant.

So if you’re looking to add a splash of vivid color to your home, pick up a Philodendron moonlight and start growing!