Philodendron Elegans is a multi-lobed rare tropical plant. It can be easily grown in medium-light areas without sunlight.
In dark corners use a grow light to full fill its light needs.
Indirect bright light is required for full photosynthesis and the production of plant glucose. Nitrogen is the main nutrient for this plant. It is required in huge amounts for the development of its leaves.
Read below to know about its care needs, common problems, and solutions.
About the Philodendron Elegans
This plant is naturally found in the rainforests of Brazil. There it grows on the stems of other trees and enjoys high humidity.
The normal height of this plant is more than 10 feet, only if it has some kind of support to climb. This height is not possible in plant pots.
My Philodendron Elegans is 2.5 feet tall with 11 inches long and 7 inches wide leaves.
If you want your plant to grow tall then you should grow it in your outdoor garden. All tri-lobed leaves are dark green with a yellowish-white central vein.
Its leaves are shiny and dark glossy. The humidity in the air affects the shining of leaves. So, keep it above 40 % all the time.
Below is the complete care information of Philodendron Elegans.
Light Needs
For optimum growth of philodendron elegans place it in bright indirect sunlight. To find the best place for your plant, use a light meter.
300 to 450 FC is the light range for this plant. Light requirements of Philodendrons depend on their leaf type and size.
Protect your plant from direct sunlight. Because it is damaging and leads to sunburns and discolored leaves.
Don’t try to grow it in dark places. Because in low light Elegans lose their shine, growth, and leaf size.
My plant is 1 foot away from my sunny window. There it absorbs morning sunlight for 1 hour and then bright filtered light for rest of the day.
Potting Soil
The soil should be well-draining and organically rich. Because Philodendron Elegans is prone to root rot.
It is a root fungus that can kill your plant if you do not follow the treatment.
The main cause of root rot is waterlogged soil.
To prevent the such condition,
Your plant needs soil that has the capacity to hold moisture and also allow extra water to drain.
The best ingredient to my knowledge is perlite. It makes the soil fluffy and stores a good amount of moisture for a long time.
I use 50% peat moss, perlite 20 %, and vermiculite 30 %. This mixture of ingredients is perfect for all types of foliage philodendrons like Bernardopazii and Royal Queen.
Watering Skeleton Key Philodendron
Philodendron Elegans needs consistently moist soil. Which is only possible with frequent watering sessions.
But the problem is frequent watering is the cause of root rot.
So, before watering your plant check the moisture level of the potting soil. There is an easy way to do so.
Insert your finger 2 inches deep in the potting soil. Water your plant if there is no moisture left.
If you are a beginner then you should use a soil moisture meter. Check the soil moisture with this device to know the exact percentage of the soil moisture.
Quality of Water:
The quality of water will decide the health of your plant roots. Tap water in most parts of the country contains chlorine.
I know a gallon of water contains a limited amount of chlorine. But you should not take risk of your plant.
Use filtered water only. Because the chlorine content gets collected at the bottom of the plant pot. When it sticks to the roots, the roots become unable to absorb the required amount of water and nutrients.
This makes your plant weak and prone to pests and diseases.
For the good health of your plant use clean water free of chlorine and fluoride.
Temperature
Summer and spring are the growing months. You don’t have to worry about the temperature. Because the normal temperature of these active seasons is perfect for the plant.
55 to 90 degrees F is the ideal temperature range.
The problem comes in the winter season. Do not allow the grow room temperature to drop below 50 degrees F.
Then your plant will go into dormancy and stop growing. Also, the cold temperature directly affects the leaf health.
To keep itself warm your plant will shrink its leaf size. This will destroy the beautiful appearance of elegans.
Your plant needs warm weather for its entire life. Protect it from cold wind and artificial heat. Both are equally damaging to its life.
Humidity
This philodendron needs normal home humidity between 45 % to 65 %. Don’t let the humidity drop below 45%.
Use a pebble tray or mist some water on your plant on low-humid days.
A plant humidifier is a good investment if you have multiple plants at home. On low humid days move them to a single room.
Place your plant humidifier there and turn it ON.
This inexpensive device can save your plants from dying due to low air moisture.
Also, increase the watering application on these days. Due to the higher respiration and transpiration rate.
Fertilizing Philodendron Elegans
The nitrogen-rich supplement is required for tall and healthy Philodendron Elegans. The brand doesn’t matter choose any which is less expensive.
Reading reviews of fertilizer supplements will help you to take a good decision.
Not all expensive fertilizers are good and cheap nutritional supplements are bad.
Use it once in 30 days in its active growing season (spring, summer). Stop using it in the winter season. It is the resting time of plants.
Using fertilizers will result in fertilizer burn.
Pruning
Prune this plant like you prune Philodendron Gardeniodorum and Philodendron White Knight. All these plants have long leaves and a fast-growing rate.
Frequent pruning is required to encourage new growth and to keep plants healthy.
Trim the dry and dead parts of the plant. Also, cut the yellow-turning leaves.
Use sharp shears or a sharp knife, and sterilize your tools before cutting your plant. After pruning your plant spray neem oil.
It will help to prevent pests and fungal infections.
Toxicity
The juice of this plant also called sap is toxic to humans and animals. It can cause skin redness, irritation, stomach pain, and nausea.
Immediately call the doctor for medical help.
Repotting Philodendron Elegans
Repotting is required to grow a tall and healthy plant. The potting soil that we use loses its nutritional value over time.
Adding fertilizers to soil stop making difference in its nutritional profile.
Fast-growing plants absorb nutrients at a faster rate. Their potting soil become unfertile in 1 year.
Repot this plant once every year.
Below are the steps:
- Unpot your plant and remove soil from the roots.
- Cut the infected roots.
- Take a 2 inches large pot and a fresh bag of soil.
- Add soil in a new pot and plant your elegans in it.
- Give some water to a newly repotted plant.
- Place it in bright indirect light and follow regular care.
Propagating Philodendron Elegans
You have two methods of propagation one is stem cutting and the second is root division. The root division technique is easy than other methods.
Root division propagation technique:
- The first step is watering your plant 24 hours before repotting.
- Now unpot your plant and remove the soil from the roots.
- Here you can wash the roots with fresh water.
- Don’t try to untangle the entire root ball.
- Just separate the roots that have their own stem.
- Plant each root separation in a different pot and give some water.
- For the first week, you can see some wilting and weakness. It is totally normal.
Troubleshooting
Powdery Mildew
It is a white powder-like substance that covers the plant. Mildew is not harmful to plants. You can remove it with the help of a dry cloth.
It is a result of too much moisture and lack of fresh air circulation.
Move your Skeleton Key Philodendron to an airy place and you will never face powdery mildew again.
Pest infestation
Pests can kill your plant in a few days if you do not take quick action. It is easy to treat the infected plant. Use rubbing alcohol and wipe each leaf manually.
The next thing is to use insecticidal soap and rinse your plant.
The first method is useful if there are few leaves on your plant and they are large in size. The second method is successful in plants that grow multiple leaves per stem.
To prevent pest problems, you must use neem oil spray and also keep the plant and its surroundings clean.
Yellow Spots on Leaves
Yellow spots on leaves are an indication of bacterial infection. First leaves develop yellow spots with a dark black circle.
Slowly these spots turn dark black.
The best solution is to cut the fully damaged leaves. Spray copper fungicides on the infected leaves.
This spray is a little harsh on plants but it is the only effective solution in the market. Read the instruction carefully before use.
Wilting
This indicates a lack of water in most cases. At first, the leaves wilt due to lack of moisture. Slowly they start turning brown from their tips.
If leaves start turning yellow this means there is too much moisture in the soil. Overwatering or lack of drainage is the cause of this wilting.
You can prevent it with proper care and maintenance techniques.
Root Rot
It is a disease triggered by waterlogged soil. Cutting the infected roots, applying fungicide, and replanting in the new pot is the only solution.
To prevent it, learn the soil check method and test the soil moisture before watering your plant.
Also, use plant pots with drainage holes. They allow the extra water to drain out of the pot and save plants from root fungus.
Conclusion
Philodendron Elegans needs bright light and moist soil for its entire life. All levels of growers can grow it with minimal care and attention.
Must use fertilizers to grow it tall and shining.
Air circulation is important to prevent many fungal and bacterial diseases.
