I am growing this plant because Philodendron Balaoanum is an extraordinary philodendron. It is well known for its unique shape leaves and bright green color.
You can grow it in any type of indoor environment as long as the light is appropriate.
Do not expect flowers from this plant. It needs high humidity above 75 % for blooming. It is not possible to keep high humidity all the time.
Therefore, learn its indoor growing needs to grow a thriving balaoanum philodendron.
About Philodendron Balaoanum
Under ideal growing conditions its leaves grow up to 12 inches long. They grow in long arrow shapes with pointed tips.
The average height of this plant is less than 30 cm. But if you give it some support to climb, it will grow more than 3 feet long.
The color of its leaves depends on the amount of light absorption and humidity. Lack of light and moisture results in small and dull leaves.
So, buy a hygrometer to measure the room humidity for healthy leaves.
How to Care for Philodendron Balaoanum?
Light Needs
Philodendron Balaoanum needs bright indirect light for good health. Most green foliage plants can survive in moderate light.
But this plant is a little different and needs 300 Fc of light for 7 to 8 hours per day.
It grows a little fast so it needs lots of food and to make lots of food it needs lots of light.
Do not place it in sunlight or in high-intensity indirect light. Above 450 FC is damaging for its leaves and stems.
Direct sunlight can burn its leaves in a few hours. In the sunshine, your plant starts using more water than normal.
It changes its behavior and goes into survival mode. In this mode, plants stop growing their leaves and spend their energy fighting environmental changes.
Potting Soil
The potting soil that you are going to choose must have some organic ingredients in it. Because organic substances make the potting soil highly fertile.
Natural nutrients always work best as compared to artificial supplements.
Moreover, they are pH balanced and make the soil fast-draining and fluffy. I always use compost or vermiculite in my every soil formula.
Manure is something that is highly suitable for outdoor plants. I do not recommend it for indoor plants.
Because it smells bad when you water your plants.
My Soil Formula:
Mix Peat moss, perlite, compost, and orchid bark in equal quantities. This mixture is suitable for all types of tropical plants.
I use this soil mix for some Alocasia plants.
Watering Philodendron Balaoanum
Wilting of leaves is directly linked to your watering technique. To prevent it water your plant once in 7 days or so.
Do not follow this watering rule blindly. Philodendrons change their watering needs according to their growing environment.
So, always check the soil condition with a finger technique. Insert your finger in the soil for checking the moisture.
If moisture is present in the top 2 inches, you don’t have to water your plant. On the other hand, if the soil top layers are dry, water your plant with filtered water.
How Filtered Water is linked to P. Balaoanum health?
We all know filtered water does not contain unwanted minerals. It is light water that is easy to digest.
Plants quickly absorb filtered water as compared to tap water.
Moreover, tap water is full of chlorine and other unnecessary ingredients. These substances get collected at the bottom of the plant.
They block the root functions and as a result, your plant becomes weak. The leaves will turn yellow and wilt.
To prevent all water-related problems do not use tap water.
Ideal Temperature
It needs warm temperatures to grow healthy and disease-free. My grow room temperature stays between 60 to 85 degrees F throughout the year.
My Philodendron Balaoanum is thriving and I never face any problems.
So, keep your grow room temperature in this safe range.
For protection keep your plant away from the direct flow of hot air or cold air. Because hot air flow increases the risk of dehydration.
Whereas cold air put a direct effect on its root functions. The plant stops absorbing enough water even if the light is sufficiently bright.
This slows its growth rate and the production of new leaves.
Humidity
Humidity is directly linked to its leaf health. It needs high humidity for perfect size bright leaves. We cannot mimic the jungle-like growing conditions at home.
But this doesn’t mean you cannot grow it at home.
The good news is Philodendron Balaoanum is an adaptive plant. It can survive in moderate home humidity.
Generally, we have home humidity between 45 % to 60 %. This range is excellent for growing a thriving plant.
In case the air moisture is lower than 45%, shift your plant to a humid room.
Or
Use a plant humidifier to increase the relative humidity of your grow room. This device is less expensive than a home humidifier.
It is portable, consumes less power, and uses less water.
Place it near your plants and turn it ON. Set the required humidity level and you are done. We have one very effective old-school method.
Take a pebble tray, fill it with water, and place your plant over it.
Your plant keeps enjoying good air moisture as long as you keep the optimum level of water in the pebble tray.
Pruning
Follow the Philodendron Atom pruning rule for this plant. Because it is also a medium size plant with a moderate growth rate.
After some time, its old leaves start turning yellow. They are mostly present at the bottom part of the plant.
When you see them turning yellow cut them immediately. This way you can save your plant energy and divert it to growing new leaves.
Also, prune dead leaves, black turning stems, and crispy brown stems.
For pruning, you can use sharp shears or a sterilized sharp knife. Wear gloves while working on your plant.
Toxicity
The sap is toxic and ingestion of its leaves and stems results in toxicity. It is equally toxic to animals and humans.
Don’t allow your pets to chew their leaves.
Toxic signs are excessive drooling, stomach pain, sore throat, vomiting, nausea, etc.
Immediately seek medical help for treatment.
Repotting Philodendron Balaoanum
General repotting keeps plants fresh and alive for years. Repotting also prevents diseases and bacterial infections.
- For repotting Philodendron Balaoanum spring is the best time. Use the same well-draining organically rich soil for repotting.
- Follow the repotting steps of the Philodendron Royal Queen:
- Unpot your plant and put it on a newspaper.
- Use a larger pot than the current pot and add fresh soil to it.
- Place your plant in it and fill the remaining portion of the pot.
- Add some water and place it back in its place.
- For the first 5 to 7 days you may see some weakness in your plant and it is totally normal.
- Now you are done with repotting.
Philodendron Balaoanum Propagation
In my experience stem propagation is the easiest way to multiply this philodendron. For 90% of my philos, I use this propagating technique.
Now I am a master in stem propagation. You should also master one propagation technique.
The process:
- Choose a healthy 5 to 6 inches long stem with at least 2 nodes.
- Make a clean cut 1 inch below the last node.
- Dip it in rooting hormone and place it on a newspaper.
- Take a glass of clean water and dip the cutting in it.
- The leaves must stay above the water level.
- Place the glass jar in high humidity and warm weather.
- Do not allow direct sunlight to fall on the stem cutting.
- Change the water when it became dirty or unclear.
- Once you see 1-inch long new roots, transfer them to potting soil.
- After shifting it in the soil, you may see some weakness in your plant for 5 to 7 days (normal).
Troubleshooting
It is not possible that you will never face problems with your houseplants. Minor negligence can result in yellow leaves, leaf spots, holes in leaves, black stems, etc.
Below are the common problems that are common with this plant.
Yellow Leaves
Wet soil and yellow leaves are caused by root rot. It is a disease that destroys plant roots. Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot.
Therefore, learn the bottom watering technique for prevention.
Check the soil moisture and lift your plant. Place it in a tub of clean water for 15 minutes. Let the water go from the bottom hole of the plant pot.
After 15 minutes take your plant out of the tub and give it 50 minutes to drain extra water. Then empty the bottom tray and you are done.
Wilting
Environmental issues result in wilting leaves. Too much bright light and hot weather are two common reasons.
Measure the amount of light with a light meter. If it is extra bright move your plant to a less bright place.
If leaves are turning brown from tips and are wilting too. This means hot weather is the cause. In this situation move your plant to a cool place and it will heal in a few days.
Slower Growth
Slower growth indicates that your plant is not getting enough nutrients or light energy. Again, check the light received by your plant with a light meter.
If it is low then move it to a bright place or use a grow light.
Or
Expose your plant to morning sunlight for a few days.
To full fill, its nutritional needs fertilize your plant once in 30 days in the spring and summer seasons. Stop feeding it in winter to avoid fertilizer burn.
