White Knight Philodendron: A Beautifully Rare House Plant

White Knight Philodendron has heart-shaped, dark green colored leaves with beautiful white splashes and patches. The stems of these plants are pretty with a mix of different colors like white, brown, and deep purple. Philodendron is famous for its sophisticated foliage.

White Knight Philodendron is a rare variegated tropical plant. Ideally an indoor plant, it can also be grown outside in mild weather. White Knight Philodendron is a South American native; they are low-maintenance and grown beginners and some lazy gardeners.

Let us indulge in the beautiful world of White Knight Philodendrons and know about their care and propagation process. First, let us learn a bit more about the plant’s growing habits.

What Is White Knight Philodendron?

– Classification

• Family: Araceae
• Genus: Philodendron
• Cultivar: White knight

Genus Philodendron has about 489 flowering plants. This vast genus is the natives of the central and Southern rainforests of America.

They are the second-largest Aroid genus. C. Plumier first introduced the genus Philodendron in the 16th century; many of the species of Genus Philodendron gained popularity in the field of art, folk culture, and medicine for centuries.

Features

– Size

The uniqueness of White Knight Philodendrons is that they are highly adaptable. They grow to a height or size according to the environment and space available for them to grow. A mature White Knight Philodendron can be 10 feet long in the open space. The plant looks healthier and prettier as the leaves grow at a close distance from the stem.

– Leaves

The  White Knight Philodendron leaves are usually heart-shaped. When matured, the leaves get slightly longer than the usual shape, growing about two inches in size. The color of the leaves changed with age and sunlight. They are of light green color at the initial stage and become dark green as they mature.

The presence of beautiful stretches and patches of white on the leaves of White Knight Philodendron gives them a glamorous look. Many artists take inspiration from the beauty of these White Knight Philodendrons for their art projects.

– Flowers

During summer and spring, flowers bloom on the White Knight Philodendron plant. A long spadix grows, which is covered by the expanded spathe.

Several tiny flowers grow on this spadix covered by the leaf-like spathe.

– Toxicity

High levels of calcium oxalate crystals are present on the Philodendron. If you ingest the foliage, it can reach from the mouth to the esophagus. They are harmful to the animals as well. Don’t allow the kids and your pets to go too close to the plant.

How to Care for White Knight Philodendron

Philodendron is a low-maintenance plant. They are grown with less care. You should follow a simple guideline and your flourishing philodendron is there to welcome you with your least effort.

– Water Requirements

Water the Philodendron once the top surface of the soil is dried out. Philodendron grows well in moist and well-drained soil. Water the Philodendron moderately after testing the soil. During summer, water the philodendron once to thrice a week.

During winter, water the Philodendron once every two weeks. Overwatering the plant will cause issues to the Philodendron like fungal diseases or root rot. If your plant remains underwatered for long, the soil will not provide the essential nutrients necessary for its growth.

– Light Requirements

Medium to bright indirect sunlight is required for the Philodendron to grow well. Avoid direct sunlight as it is harmful to the delicate foliage. White stretch marks on the leaves get damaged the most. The color variations are the beauty of Philodendron.

If the plant is under the shade for long, there is a discoloration in variegation. For the indoor setup of the plant, the ideal position is near a window. If the indoor conditions don’t supply sufficient light to the Philodendron, try to arrange artificial light through a bulb or fluorescent light. Humidity Requirements

Philodendron needs an average amount of humidity level. As the Philodendrons are the natives of the rainforest, they grow lush foliage in high humid levels. For best results, the humidity level must be above 70 percent. Low humidity may affect the growth of the plant.

You have to provide moisture to the Philodendron during dry weather. It can be accomplished by regular misting. Check the ventilation system near the Philodendron as the foliage cannot withstand wetness for long.

During winter, the atmosphere becomes dry. It is the reason why a plant grows slower or might not grow during winters. Here are some ways through which you could keep your plants humid:

• Use a room humidifier to keep the moisture level under control and avoid dryness
• Put the White Knight Philodendron on a tray containing damp pebbles
• Place your plant in the bathroom, but the bathroom must provide indirect bright sunlight to the plant
• If you have grown several tropical indoor plants, place them close to each other. This method will increase the humidity level

– Fertilizer Requirements

Give your plants fertilizers during the summer and spring seasons, but use less for the delicate foliage. Liquid fertilizer is the best choice for houseplants or indoor plants. Slow-release granular fertilizer is also a good option.

Remember, over-fertilizing has detrimental effects on plants. They may burn out or make the plant die.

– Soil

Philodendrons need well-drained and rich soil. If you are growing Philodendron in containers, use natural soil instead of garden soil. Garden soil may not allow quick drainage and may contain microorganisms, weeds, or germs. Use a good quality potting mixture that contains ingredients such as perlite and orchid bark.

– Temperature Requirements

This tiny and delicate Philodendron needs a moderate climate to dwell. To keep the foliage growing the temperature must be from 55 to 85 F. The White Knight Philodendron is unforgiving to extreme cold weather. Place the plant in a warmer place inside the house during autumn and winters.

– Potting

White Knight Philodendrons can be grown in small pots, containers, or hanging baskets.

These are creepers and can be grown on walls, trees, and poles. When they are grown in a hanging basket, they look beautiful because the foliage cascades down on its own.

Check the drainage hole in the pot before potting the White Knight Philodendron for proper drainage.

– Pinching And Pruning

If the White Knight Philodendron looks thin, pinch those leaves to make your foliage look healthier and beautiful. Pruning is an essential part of the growth of the plant. Pruning maintains the shape of the plant. When White Knight Philodendron grows bushy, prune them.

Through pruning, remove the dead and damaged parts of the plant. Pruning helps the plant to get nutrients. When the philodendron grows bushy, there might be a chance that only the bushy part is taking up all the nutrients, leaving behind the other part of the plant. The other parts will die due to a lack of nutrition.

How to Propagate Philodendron White Knight

White Knight Philodendron is a beautiful plant. Every gardener wishes to propagate this plant. The propagation of White Knight Philodendrons is not easy, the reason being they are slow growers. The best time for White Knight Philodendron’s propagation is from the middle of the spring until summer.

Here are some different methods for the propagation of the White Knight Philodendron:

1. Fill a jar with filtered water
2. You may also use tap water but put the water uncovered for 48 hours to evaporate the chlorine present in the water
3. With clean scissors, cut the stem to remove individual leaf-cutting and place them in the jar filled with water
4. Place the cutting in such a way that the node of the plant must be underwater
5. Place the jar to a position where it should face bright but indirect sunlight
6. The place should have a warm temperature and low humidity
7. Change the water every week
8. Observe the development of roots
9. Now place the plant in a pot. The plant can be in the water for more growth

– Propagation Through Stem Cutting

1. Take a container, drill in holes at the bottom, and fill the container with soil
2. Water it and let the water drain through the holes. The soil must be moist
3. Cut the part of the stem from its base. Check the cutting for spoilage
4. Take a clean stick and make a hole in the container, put the stem cutting into the hole to get it firmly attached
5. Place it where the plant would get bright but indirect sunlight
6. Make sure the soil may not remain dried out
7. When you see the development of roots, shift the plant to a stable location

Philodendron White Knight Problems

Pests attack the White Knight Philodendron. Pests may be aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, and others. When you closely observe the plant, you can easily find the symptoms of pest infestation. The symptoms are:

• Brown spots
• Discolored patches
• Leaf curling

The pests suck the plant sap. To control the damage, use neem oil or other chemicals for pest control.

White Knight Philodendrons are also susceptible to some diseases. These diseases are:

• Root rot
• Yellowing of leaves

The disease appears due to improper water management.

– Root Rot

The White Knight Philodendron is highly susceptible to root rot. Root rot is caused by overwatering the plant. It happens when the soil is waterlogged. Due to excessive water in roots, the roots do not get a sufficient amount of oxygen.

Rotting of the plant shows symptoms like leaf wilting and yellow patches on the leaves due to water shortage. To prevent plant rot, give less water to the plants.

– Yellowing of Leaves

When the White philodendron gets attacked by pests, its leaves become yellow. It is also a symptom of overwatering. To solve this problem, reschedule your watering routine.

White Wizard Philodendron

White wizard Philodendron resembles the White Knight Philodendron. They share the most resemblances from each other.

The stem of the White Knight Philodendron is purplish-green to white, but the stem of the White wizard philodendron is green. White wizard philodendron also has larger leaves.

The growth rate of White wizard philodendron is faster than that of White Knight Philodendron. Despite their differences, both White wizard philodendron and White Knight Philodendron have the same maintenance and care procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does my White Knight need misting?

The White Knight Philodendron loves misting. Misting improves the humidity level of the plant. Mist both sides of the leaf.

2. Is White Knight Philodendron expensive?

White Knight Philodendron is indeed expensive. They are pricey because they are in high demand and low in supply. Low supply is because they take a longer time to grow.

3. How often should I water White Knight Philodendron?

The white Knight Philodendron needs a moderate amount of water. Before watering Philodendron White Knight, always check the soil surface for dryness.

It will help you get an idea of how much water the plant needs. While watering ensures that the soil remains moist.

4. How much light does my White Knight Philodendron need?

The philodendron needs bright but indirect light. The plant needs about four to five hours of bright indirect sunlight daily.

5. Is White Knight Philodendron poisonous?

The White Knight Philodendron is toxic to both humans and pets. If accidentally you or your pet has ingested the plant. It can cause irritation, swelling around the mouth. It is advisable to see a doctor or veterinary doctor soon after ingestion.

6. Why does my White Knight Philodendron have brown leaves?

When the leaves of White Knight philodendron turn brown, it’s a sign that your plant is not getting sufficient lighting. You need to change the location of the plant where it can receive proper lighting. If indirect sunlight is not reaching the plant, use artificial lighting like bulbs and fluorescent lights.

7. Why does my White Knight Philodendron have yellow leaves?

When the leaves of your White Knight Philodendron become yellow, this indicates that you are overwatering your plant.

Overwatering causes the root to rot. Colour of the leaves changes when the root rot.

8. When should I repot my plant?

Repotting Philodendron White Knight is a must when it outgrows its current pot. The growth of your plant will suffer if you delay repotting.

9. Why is the color of the leaves of my Philodendron White Knight turning green?

This discoloration is because your plant is not getting enough light to grow properly. You have to change the location of your plant and keep it in an area where it can get a sufficient amount of bright indirect sunlight. Place your plant near an east-facing window. It will allow the plant to grow well.

10. From where can I get a Philodendron white knight plant?

You can find While knight philodendrons at local plant nurseries and gardens.

Conclusion

White Knight Philodendron is a tropical, beautiful plant that belongs to a well-known Araceae family. It is a South American native and is a rare variegated tropical plant. It is an expensive plant, which is why you must know how to take care of it. Here is what we learned about it:

• Leaves of the White Knight Philodendron are heart-shaped, green in color, and patched and splashed variation in white
• This plant can get about 15 feet long when provided with a suitable environment and space
• White Knight Philodendron has beautiful stems which give shades of green, purplish and white colors
• They can be grown in a pot, container, hanging basket, or open ground. Repotting of White Knight Philodendron is a must when it outgrows its current pot
• Philodendrons are low in maintenance and are easy-to-grow plants
• They have simple requirements, which are in direct sunlight and frequent watering
• The plant needs about four to five hours of bright indirect sunlight daily
• Flowers bloom on the White Knight Philodendron plant during summer and spring
• These are creepers and can be grown on walls,  trees, and poles
• It is toxic to pets and humans
• For houseplants or indoor plants, liquid fertilizer is the best choice
• You need to change the location of your White knight plant during winter. Winter is harsh for your plant, move the plant indoors or to a greenhouse
• Overwatering causes the root to rot
• Pests, like aphids, mealy bugs, and whiteflies, can attack the White Knight Philodendron.
• The best time for White Knight Philodendron’s propagation is from the middle of the spring until summer

White Knight Philodendron needs regular pruning. Pruning allows the nutrients to spread evenly throughout the plant

This rare plant comes with specific care and growing needs. We hope the above guidelines assist you in caring for your lovely White Knight Philodendrons.