Philodendron Callosum is the perfect plant for new gardeners. The normal environment of a house is perfect for this plant.
It needs less bright light, moderate water, and normal humidity to grow. It is different from other philodendrons.
It does not have very appealing and unique looks. But you can add enough greenery to your indoor space by adding it to your plant collection.
250 FC is the amount of light it needs to grow.
About Philodendron Callosum
It is a normal-height green foliage plant for indoor locations. You can grow it in any part of your home and office as long as the light is appropriate.
Give it support if you are planning to grow it in plant pots. It grows 6 to 8 inches long thick glossy leaves.
The height of this plant depends on the growing environment. My Philodendron Callosum is 2.5 feet tall and I am using bamboo sticks to support its structure.
Moderate watering and indirect bright light are two essential things that this plant needs to grow. The common problem with this plant is leggy growth and small size leaves.
They are triggered by a lack of sufficient light and a lack of essential nutrients.
Therefore, if you are planning to grow it at home. You have to learn about its growing needs before buying it.
This way you can grow it without facing many problems.
How to Care for Philodendron Callosum?
Like other philodendrons, it needs light, water, humidity, fertilizers, and some maintenance. The good news is it needs less care than Philodendron Imperial Green and Philodendron Atabapoense
Light Needs
Indirect bright light is sufficient to grow a healthy and thriving Philodendron Callosum. The minimum light requirement is 200 FC.
For optimal growth and shining leaves keep the light between 250 to 400 FC.
Above 400 FC can burn its leaves.
Suppose you are planning to grow it in your outdoor garden. Then choose a place where it can get shaded light. You can use clothes to give it some shade in the afternoon.
But you cannot protect it from hot wind in an outdoor garden. Hot air is damaging to this plant and its leaf tissues.
Keep in mind that direct sunshine is damaging and it only needs indirect light.
Potting Soil
Fast-draining potting soil is required for a perfectly healthy philodendron. You have two options one is using readymade potting soil.
Choose a soil formula that contains perlite or peat moss. Both ingredients are required to make soil fluffy and lightweight.
Perlite improves the drainage power of a soil mix.
In the second option mix perlite, peat moss, orchid bark, and compost in equal quantities. This homemade soil formula is perfect to grow all types of tropical plants.
Peat and perlite are permanent ingredients you can replace bark and compost as per your knowledge.
Type of Pot
Terracotta and ceramic pots are excellent for this plant. Philodendrons do not need high amounts of water.
They are prone to root rot. So, you need a container that helps to drain extra water.
Terracotta pots have tiny pores and they help to drain extra water. This way you can prevent root rot.
Ceramic pots are also helpful. I don’t recommend plastic pots because they don’t help drain extra water.
Watering Philodendron Callosum
Moderate watering is key to success if you don’t want to face water-related problems. Callosum needs moist soil for 365 days. But this does not mean you flood the soil with water.
Perlite in potting soil is able to hold moisture for a long time.
To prevent overwatering, check the soil before watering your plant. Poke your finger in the soil if the top layer has moisture don’t water.
Water only when the top soil layers go out of moisture.
The bottom watering method is suitable for this plant. Fill a tub of water and place your plant in it. Let it absorb water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then allow it to drain extra water.
Place it back in its location and you are done with watering philodendrons.
Ideal Temperature
The normal home temperature is fine for this plant. You don’t have to do anything about this. Just keep the grow room temperature between 55 to 85 degrees F.
Below or above this range is damaging for its leaves. Hot temperature increases the dehydration and brown crispy leaves.
Cold temperature results in dormancy and rusty spots on leaves.
Humidity
Humidity is a crucial part because in low humidity Callosum leaves turn brown. They lose their stored moisture and become weak and droopy.
So, maintain the air moisture above 45%. I use a hygrometer to measure the humidity of my plants.
In low humidity use a spray bottle and mist some water on its leaves.
Do not mist too much water because wet leaves and warm weather result in bacterial leaf spot.
This disease can kill your plant in a few days. Copper fungicides are the only solution to kill leaf bacterial disease.
The best solution for low humidity is a pebble tray. Take a tray fill it with water and place your plant on it. keep the water level to the mark and you are done.
Don’t need to buy a humidifier for this plant. Because it can survive in low humidity and the pebble tray method is sufficient for it.
Fertilizing
Use a limited amount of fertilizer only in the growing season. Spring and summer are active growing seasons.
Use foliage fertilizer that is designed for green leaf plants. I use general-purpose plant fertilizer from miracle Gro for Callosum and Philodendron Black Cardinal.
It has everything that a foliage plant needs to grow and thrive.
Do not buy expensive plant fertilizers. They are not required for this plant. Nitrogen is the main element that it needs to grow its stems and leaves.
To prevent overfertilization, do not use them in the winter season. Because in the winter season, plants go into dormancy. It is the stage where plants stop growing their parts. They go into survival mode.
Fertilizing plants in this stage of their life cycle is a total waste of money.
Pruning
Moderate pruning is required to keep it disease free and healthy.
Trim its dead and dying parts, yellow leaves, brown leaves, and leaves with rusty spots. Use sterilized tools to cut them.
I use rubbing alcohol to sterilize my shears.
This way you can prevent further infections.
Maintenance
Use a damp cloth to wipe your plant leaves if you want them to keep thriving. Dusty leaves invite many problems.
By cleaning them with a soft cloth you can prevent diseases.
Also, keep the plant pot and its surroundings clean and hygienic.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, Philodendron Callosum is toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. All philodendrons are toxic they contain calcium oxalate crystals.
Their sap is toxic and ingestion of its parts results in toxicity.
Excessive drooling, nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation are a few toxic symptoms.
Immediately seek medical help.
Repotting Philodendron Callosum
Repot it once in 2 years. Before repotting check repotting signs. If the roots are sneaking out of the soil or they are growing through the drainage hole.
This means the current pot is small for the plant roots. It needs a large pot and this is the perfect time for repotting.
Spring is the best time for repotting philodendrons.
Take a pot 2 inches wider and deep than the current plant pot. Also, buy a fresh bag of potting soil.
Gently unpot your plant and remove soil from its roots. Cut the infected roots and apply cinnamon to it.
Add a 2-inch layer of soil and plant your plant in a new pot. Fill the remaining portion of the pot with soil. Add some water and you are done with repotting.
Philodendron Callosum Propagation
- Stem-cutting propagation is the only useful method of propagation. Callosum philodendrons are easy to propagate. Follow the below steps:
- Choose a healthy stem with few leaves and remove the bottom leaves
- Take a glass of water and place the cutting in it.
- Change the water when it gets unclear.
- Keep the glass jar in a warm environment in shaded light.
- When you see new roots are more than 1 inch long. Transfer it to potting soil.
Troubleshooting
Pest Infestation
Sap-sucking pests are common on philodendron plants. Inspect your plant every time you water to catch them on time.
They are mostly building their colonies under the leaves and near the leaf nodes.
Use pest-killing soap to rinse your plant. This way you can easily kill them without damaging your plant.
Commercial pest-killing sprays are hard on philodendrons. Do not use them they are for trees and strong plants.
To prevent pests, use sterilized soil and keep the surroundings clean.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow turning leaves mean there is a big problem in the root section. Unpot your plant and cut the decaying roots.
This is the only treatment for root rot.
To prevent root rot, limit the use of water and use fast-draining potting soil.
Dark Spots on Leaves
This means the leaves are infected by fungal bacteria. This fungus is deadly for plants and is a result of wet leaves and warm weather.
Copper-based fungicides can kill these bacteria.
Red Leaf tips
This indicates that your plant leaves are facing too much hot weather. Direct sunlight and sharp indirect light can turn leaves red from their tips.
The only solution is moving your plant to a less bright place.
Infected leaves will slowly heal themselves.
Conclusion
Philodendron Callosum needs minimal care and maintenance. Light and water are its two important growing needs.
Diluted fertilizer is best to use for its proper growth. To keep it pest-free spray neem oil once in 20 days.
