Philodendron Verrucosum Plant Care

Say hello to an attractive, colorful Philodendron! Your next on the list should be this Ecuador Philodendron also known as Philodendron verrucosum. Why? Because it is, firstly, a Philodendron—almost everyone’s favorite houseplant.

Secondly, this will give life to your rare collections.

Philodendron verrucosum actually has a whole lot of different color varieties, and this specific one may have a velvety surface, dark green color, and light green veining. Of course aside from the fact that it has a heart-shaped leaf.

Since this is another tropical plant that originated in the rainforests of Ecuador, it stands by delicate water and humidity regime.

With the mention of delicate, yes, Philodendron verrucosum is a challenging plant to grow. But isn’t that what’s giving us excitement? A challenging role of being a plantophile! Let us guide you in growing this colorful and challenging Philodendron.

Philodendron Verrucosum Plant Care Basics

The Philodendron verrucosum is a magnificent climbing container plant that demands careful attention to factors such as humidity and temperature. You’ll need to tweak the lighting and watering as well.

A healthy Ecuador Philodendron, on the other hand, will grow swiftly and transform your indoor growing space into a lush green forest in no time.

Be sure to take note of all the needed information below and have a great time growing your own Philodendron verrucosum.

Potting Mix

Many issues emerge as a result of using the incorrect potting soil, and your plants can be stressed if they exhibit signs of overwatering. When dealing with plants in the Aracaea family, in which many species are epiphytes, the appropriate potting mix is even more critical.

Aeration, or the ability to guide wind to the roots, is required. Only if your potting mix is airy and drains efficiently will you be able to meet this requirement. For this to happen, you’ll need chunky components that will allow air pockets to form between the potting media and the materials.

To allow your Philodendron to enjoy the water without sitting in it, plant it in a well-draining soil mix. Sandy or dry soils, as well as muddy, damp ones, should be avoided.

This plant’s roots need to be thoroughly aerated, therefore use a standard aroid mix of coco coir, orchid bark, perlite, and a little bit of sphagnum moss to ensure that plenty of air gets down to their roots.

An ABG mix, for example, is a great choice for terrariums since it has a lot of water retention and drainage.

Watering Needs

These Philodendrons prefer moisture because they are native to tropical Ecuadorian jungles. While they prefer humid, moist environments, these plants prefer light, aerated soil. Its roots are never wet and smothering. Philodendron verrucosum may tolerate some under and overwater in small amounts indoors.

If they don’t get enough moisture, they might get melodramatic and show yellowing or even fall off their leaves.

Wait for the upper soil to get half dry before watering the soil again. It’s time to water when there’s roughly 30% moisture left in the soil! Watering frequency is determined by factors like weather, temperature, humidity, and exposure to the sun.

In the spring and summer, you may need to water once or twice a week on average. Alternately, once every two weeks should suffice to keep the dormant plant alive during the colder months.

Overwatering can smother the roots, resulting in root rot and other significant plant problems. Similarly, fully drying out the soil might cause the roots to wither. So, to avoid harming the plant, make sure you follow a proper schedule

Ideal Lighting

The Philodendron verrucosum is most commonly found on the forest floor, where it expresses its vining inclinations by climbing other plants or trees to attain more moderate light. Fortunately, this means they’re fantastic indoor plants if you just have low light and a lot of shade.

Their preferred lighting is moderate, indirect light, with brilliant sunlight being appreciated only on rare occasions.

When we talk about brilliant indirect light, we’re talking about light that comes from a nearby window but doesn’t directly hit the leaf blades. These requirements are best satisfied through an east-facing window with brilliant indirect light for the majority of the day and some direct light in the morning.

A setting in the shade or under a tree with dappled sunlight, on the other hand, is great for an outdoor plantation. The velvety leaves can be scorched if they are exposed to bright sunlight for an extended period of time. As a result, keep the plant out of direct sunlight, especially during peak hours.

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature must be above 68°F (20°C) for Philodendron verrucosum to thrive. If you have the type that favors warmer temperatures, a temperature above 77°F (25°C) combined with significant humidity will ensure that your plant grows quite quickly. They can also be cold growers, meaning they thrive in colder climates.

Keep in mind that the Philodendron verrucosum can be found in elevations ranging from 165 to 6550 feet (50-2000 meters) above sea level. These are the circumstances in which the Philodendron grows in nature in Central and South America.

The plant’s preference for high humidity stems from its natural habitat. The plant prefers to be moist and thrives at a humidity level of around 90%. You can keep your plant at this level in a terrarium and watch it thrive. However, the plant’s minimum humidity level should be at least 60% to keep it in good form.

Fertilizer 

Regular monthly fertilizer doses sound wonderful to your P. verrucosum plant during the growing season. In the spring and summer, use a graded Aroid fertilizer and give monthly doses of moderate concentration. Make sure you’re using a reasonable amount. This is necessary to avoid overfertilizing the plant, which can scorch the foliage or even kill it.

With the fall in temperature, practically all Aroids’ nutrient requirements decrease. Fertilizing the dormant plant is pointless in this instance. As a result, make sure you cease fertilizing as soon as the summer ends.

Cheap fertilizer, on the other hand, should be avoided because it may include high salts, which would damage the roots and maybe kill the plant.

Propagation

Cut a 6-inch stem and pinch off two or three sets of leaves to leave at least two leaf nodes bare on the stem to propagate your plant. Philodendron verrucosum is a water-loving plant that can readily be propagated that way. Roots can also be planted in moss and allowed to flourish.

You can also transplant it directly into a new pot using a well-aerated soil mix. Because Philodendron verrucosum begins its life as an epiphyte, its aerial roots make it simple to spread.

Many plant parents tout this plant as an easy aroid to re-root, so if you take good care of your terrarium, you’ll soon find yourself propagating multiple cuttings from one mother plant! The most common reasons for propagating plants are spring and summer. In terms of successful propagation, the days between the middle of these two seasons produce the best results.

Growth Zone

In zones 4 to 11, the plant thrives indoors. In zones 9 to 11, however, they can be grown year-round in patios and outdoors. These plants can reach a height of 3 feet (90cm). The leaves can grow to be up to three feet tall (90cm).

Deciduous cataphylls produce new leaves. The cataphylls will be ripped off in a deciduous tree. Because Philodendron verrucosum is a climber, a moss pole is recommended. This pole will aid in the plant’s growth.

Another impact of giving a pole is that the plant’s stem will thicken and the leaf size will significantly increase.

Young Ecuador Philodendrons are lighter in color at first, only darkening to their signature deep green as they mature. Like great wine, the fading red/burgundy develops with age. Without the ability to climb, the Philodendron verrucosum would take much longer to mature, and it may never reach this stage at all.

If you have a cold-growing verrucosum, these plants will thrive throughout the winter.

Potting

Because these plants like to produce large root systems, it’s best not to underpot them. Choose a pot size that allows the plant to develop a large root system. Clay pots can be used.

These have the added benefit of draining extra water from the soil. However, you will have to water more regularly as a result of this.

Just before your Philodendron becomes pot confined, repot it every 1-2 years. You can tell whether a plant is rootbound by searching for roots coming out of the drainage holes, observing if the growth is stunted or sad-looking, and slipping the plant out of its pot to see if the roots are all in one huge coil around the outside of the soil.

If these plants are not cultivated in a terrarium, placing a pebble tray underneath and filling it with water is a nice option. The humidity around the plant will rise as a result of this.

Pruning

Pruning isn’t necessary, but if you want to keep your plant’s size and shape under control, cut above a node with a clean, sharp pair of scissors to encourage new development. A node is where the stem’s leaves and roots emerge. If you can’t pluck the leaf away from the plant, you can cut it off.

Make sure to gently remove any dead or decaying leaves.

Philodendron Verrucosum Varieties and Similar Plants

Philodendron pastazanum and the famous Philodendron gloriosum are just some of Philodendron Verrucosum’s very close cousins, and these are some philodendron varieties you might wanna try. But then if you are to decide on some other varieties, here’s what we can give you:

• Philodendron Sodiroi
• Philodendron hastatum
• Philodendron Brasil
• Philodendron Micans
• Philodendron brandtianum

Philodendron Verrucosum Diseases & Pests

Common pest problems may infest your plants just because they need to feed. The most common pests that may pay your Philodendron verrucosum a visit are the following: the ever-present Mealybugs, Fungus Gnats, Aphids, Whiteflies, and Spider mites.

If you are ever ready or used to having such houseplant pests, rubbing alcohol, some soap solution, or insecticidal soap may wipe the little critters away.

Now the common problems about your plant may include the following:

• Yellowing of leaves, the usual first problem when it comes to planting, is a sign of overwatered Philodendron Verrucosum. Remember that this plant doesn’t like its drowning soggy. Adjust your watering schedule, and the amount if needed. It is always wise to check the soil before giving your Verrucosum a drink.
• Drooping of leaves can be two things: overwatered or under-watered Ecuador Philodendron. Yet again, it is always helpful to check the soil before watering. In any case, if your Verrucosum’s soil has been soggy for a long time, check the roots for a sign of root rotting or check if the soil needs to be changed.
• Root rotting is one serious problem caused by overwatering. Your Philodendron is delicate when it comes to the watering schedule and the amount given. Avoid drowning your plant when watering and make sure to wait until the soil drains after you water your plant for assurance. The fungus can also be one cause of root rotting, in this case, a fungal insecticide or re-potting might be needed to save your plant.