Choose Philodendron Camposportoanum if you want the best philodendron plant. It changes its leaf color as it grows mature.
This gives it an excellent shining look. I have 4 pots of this hammer leave philodendron. It needs moderate bright light and nice moisturized soil for 365 days.
Philo Campos leaves turn dark green if you do not keep humidity above 40% all the time.
In the initial stage, it needs a little bit of extra care for 2 to 3 months. Once it grows more than a foot tall it starts demanding less care.
About Philodendron Camposportoanum
Philodendron Campos is another expensive Tri-lobed philodendron. The interesting part is this plant keeps changing the color and shape of its leaves for its entire life.
Young leaves are bright and shining. Whereas the old leaves turn dark green and they are the first leaves that turn yellow.
This is the natural mechanism of shredding older leaves. We can’t do anything about it.
We cannot predict its height and leaf size. Because these things depend on your care and maintenance techniques.
Experienced growers know how to encourage houseplants to grow large leaves. Beginner growers need solid information to grow this plant.
You will find every single detail in this growing guide. Below are its growing needs and common problems with their solutions.
Light Needs
Philodendron Camposportoanum needs bright light for 7 to 8 hours per day. It is best if you expose your plant to indirect bright light.
Place it near a sunny window. Direct sunlight is not recommended because it can damage its leaves.
But if your plant is growing small size leaves. Expose it to morning direct sunlight to heal its small leaves.
Morning sunlight is beneficial for philodendron plants. Warm light goes deep into the plant leaves and kills harmful fungal bacteria.
In the absence of a sunny window use your light meter. And find a place where your plant can get a minimum of 250 FC of light.
Watering Philodendron Camposportoanum
As we all know philodendron plants need moist soil but they are prone to root rot. This means you need to learn the right watering method.
Before watering your philodendron check the moisture level of the potting soil.
Water your plant only if the top few inches of the soil are dry. This way you can easily prevent root rot and other leaf fungal diseases.
For healthy growth, you should use filtered water only. Because tap water contains chlorine and is not required by philodendrons.
Filtered water is easy to absorb from the potting soil.
I use this process to water my Philodendron Atom and Alocasia Melo.
Potting Soil
Use potting soil that is pH balanced. There are many fast-draining soil mixes in the market. You can buy any trusted brand.
Just make sure the pH of the soil is balanced. Because variegated philodendron needs balanced pH.
If you are using homemade soil formula then do not add sphagnum moss. It is an acidic ingredient and to balance the pH of the soil mix you have to add lime.
On the other hand, just add perlite, potting soil, vermiculite, and orchid bark in equal quantities. This is a stable soil mix for philodendrons.
If you are a beginner gardener, I suggest you go for ready-to-use commercial soil mixes.
Ideal Temperature
Philodendrons are warm-climate plants and our normal home temperature is perfect for them. Keep the grow room temperature above 55 degrees F and below 85 degrees F.
Because below 50 degrees F is too cold for the plant. It will go into dormancy mode. Above 85 degrees F is too hot and will increase the use of water.
This increases dehydration and also increases your workload.
If your plant is outside move it indoors in the winter season. Put a thick mat under the pot and also cover the pot with a warm cloth.
Humidity
Keep it above 45% for the good health of your plant. Philodendron Camposportoanum leaves are shining glossy leaves. They will lose their color and shine in low humidity.
Moreover, low humidity also triggers crispy edges of leaves.
To prevent this problem, mist some water on your pant on low-humid days.
Or
You have a plant humidifier to give nice comfort in a few minutes.
Remember that misting too much on philodendron results in bacterial leaf disease. Because wet leaves and warm weather invite many types of plant fungal bacteria.
To prevent all problems, use a hygrometer to measure the room humidity of your grow room. So, that you can adjust it if it is on the lower side.
Fertilizing Philodendron Camposportoanum
Philodendron Campos needs a good number of micronutrients to grow along with Nitrogen. Foliage plants need a high amount of Nitrogen to grow their green parts.
So, you must use a normal houseplant fertilizer supplement. They generally contain high doses of N. Some of them contain a balanced ratio of NPK.
Read the instructions on the supplement bottle before using it. Use distilled water for diluting the solution.
Use it once in 30 days in summer and spring. Do not use feeding supplements in the winter season. Because fertilizing in dormancy can kill a plant in a few days.
Repotting
Repotting is a basic need of philodendrons. Because when a plant grows tall it also grows its root ball. After some time, the plant container becomes small for its roots.
In this condition, plant roots grow out of the drainage hole. This indicates the need for repotting. If your plant roots are sneaking out of the soil.
Then it is the right time to repotting it.
Repotting Process:
- Water your plant a day before repotting.
- Tap around the pot and gently unpot your plant.
- Remove the soil from its roots and wash them with water.
- Take a new pot slightly bigger than the current one.
- Fill it with a new fresh bag of soil and plant your philodendron in it.
- Give some water and repotting is finished.
Pruning
Pruning is the first step toward plant hygiene. In this process, we trim the dead parts of philodendrons. This way you can keep your plant protected from various diseases.
After pruning your plant use neem oil to spray. It is anti-fungal and can kill fungal bacteria.
They take a soft cloth and wipe its leaves. It is important to keep the leaves dust free.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, philodendron campos is toxic to humans and pets. The ingestion of its parts results in toxicity.
You can prevent it by using garden gloves while pruning it.
Grow it away from the reach of your pets.
Teach your kid to wash their hands after touching the plant leaves.
Propagating Philodendron Camposportoanum
Air layering and stem cutting are two successful methods of Philodendron Campos propagation. You can choose any method that you think is easy for you.
I am explaining stem cutting because it is easy for me and I know I can propagate my plant successfully with this technique.
Stem-Cutting Propagation Steps:
- Identify a healthy stem and cut it 5 inches long.
- Make a clean cut 1 inch below the leaf node.
- Dip the stem cutting in the rooting hormone.
- Use liquid and avoid powdered forms for fast results.
- Take a glass jar and fill it with water.
- Dip stem cutting in it and store it in a warm and humid place.
- Once you see the new roots are 1 inch long, transfer them to potting soil.
- For the first week, you can see some weakness in your plant, but it is normal.
Troubleshooting
Every houseplant owner faces some kind of plant issue at some point. There are some common problems with Philodendron Camposportoanum.
These are listed below with their prevention and solution.
Dark Spots on Leaves
Dark circular spots on campos leaves mean your plant is infected with bacterial fungus. This disease attack plant leaves and then slowly infect the entire plant.
The main causes of this disease are wet leaves and warm weather.
Fungal bacteria need warm weather to attack houseplants.
To prevent it keep your plant leaves dry. In case you mist water to deal with low humidity. Dry its leaves after 24 hours.
Spray neem oil once in 30 days for full-proof protection.
In case your philodendron is already infected. In this situation using a copper-based fungicide is beneficial.
Yellow leaves and Decaying Smell
Suddenly leaves turning yellow indicate too much water in potting soil. This water results in root rot.
It is a fungal bacteria that attack plant roots.
It starts decaying plant roots and as a result, the leaves of philodendrons start turning yellow.
To prevent it, water your plant only when it needs water.
Repotting it in new soil is the only solution. Also, use fresh soil and cut the infected roots.
Holes in Leaves
Tiny holes in leaves indicate the presence of pests. These pests make tiny holes in plant leaves and give birth to the next generation.
This way they build up their colonies.
If your plant is infected use pest-killing soap or use rubbing alcohol to wipe each leaf manually. I use insect-killing soap for plants and rinse them.
It is affordable and the best solution.
To prevent them keep your plant clean and hygienic.
Conclusion
Philodendron Camposportoanum is a good foliage plant for home and office. It needs minimal care and light energy plays important role in its growth.
Protect it from hot and cold air to prevent temperature stress.
Take care of its growing need and grow a happy philodendron campos plant.
