Philodendron Fibrosum is a plant that grabs visitors’ attention. It is an expensive and rare plant with unique characteristics.
Three varieties of Fibrosum are available, natural, hybrid, and created in labs.
Before buying this plant, you should learn about its care needs and methods. In most cases, people treat it like a normal philodendron and lose it.
Read till the end to find out the necessary information about Fibrosum before buying it.
About Philodendron Fibrosum
Philodendron Fibrosum is naturally found in tropical regions of Ecuador or Colombia. Its leaves are large in size like other philos.
We cannot predict its size and leaf health. It totally depends on a care technique of a grower.
Foliage philodendrons need a high amount of nitrogen to grow their green leaves.
Fertilize this plant with quality nutrient supplements. If you want it to grow large shining leaves. Natural fertilizers are recommended.
I use compost in potting soil and this reduces my fertilizer expenses to half. Compost is rich in organic nitrogen.
Moderate home humidity is sufficient for this plant.
All growing needs are discussed below.
Light Needs
Let it grow on a permanent place for its entire life.
No need to move the pot to alter the amount of light it is receiving. It will grow large in size as it gets matured but the light needs will stay the same.
Philodendron Fibrosum needs bright light for 6 to 7 hours per day. It can be an indirect bright light or light emitted by a grow light.
250 to 300 watts LED grow light is sufficient to help Fibrosum to make its food.
It will be best for the plant if you place it in morning direct sunlight. Because at the time of sunrise, it emits warm sunlight.
These warm rays go deep into the leaf cells and kill harmful bacteria and diseases.
Watering Philodendron Fibrosum
Overwatering and underwatering are two problems that are deadly and linked to watering techniques.
Please note that you should only water your plant. When you find the top 2 inches of the soil dried out.
By using this technique, you can prevent overwatering and underwatering problems.
There is no exact time for watering plants. You must check the soil before watering. In the summer season, philodendrons need more water as compared to the cold season.
The next helpful thing is plant pots with drainage holes. You should only use these plant containers for extra safety.
When you water plants the soil holds extra water. This water starts draining slowly and takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Small holes in the bottom plate of the plant pots allow this extra water to drain out of the pot. This drainage system prevents root rot.
Potting Soil
No need to buy fancy and costly potting soil mixes. You can use any type of well-draining potting mix that is designed for tropical plants.
Do not use succulent potting mix because it does not hold moisture for a long time.
I have lots of indoor plants and I always make my homemade soil mixes.
50% normal potting soil + 20% perlite + 10% Vermiculite or Compost + 10% orchid barks + 10% Coco Coir.
If you don’t want to use homemade soil. In this case, use commercial fast-draining soil mixes that contain perlite in their formula.
The quantity of perlite must be more than 10% of the total soil ingredients.
You will be surprised to know that you can grow philodendrons in water. No need to use soil if you want.
But in my experience using soil makes it easy to grow a plant. Because you must change the water once in every 3 days.
This increases the workload of a grower.
Ideal Temperature
Philodendron Fibrosum needs warm weather to grow and thrive. All philodendron plants are warm-weather plants.
The good news is our normal home temperature is best for caring for these plants.
Generally, we have a home temperature between 55 to 80 degrees F. This is the ideal range for growing and caring for Fibrosum.
Keep in mind that low temperatures below 50 degrees F can kill your plant. Because in cold weather the leaf tissues of this plant start freezing.
This results in dark spots on leaves and cold blisters also called cold sores.
To prevent all these problems, keep the temperature in an ideal range. Try to prevent frequent temperature changes.
Keep your plant protected from cold and hot winds to prevent leaf damage.
Humidity
Above 45 % is recommended for 365 days. In low humidity, the leaves of your plant will start turning yellow and brown.
The solution is using a hygrometer and measuring the humidity. If it indicates a low level then mist clean water on your plant.
Too many sprays can result in bacterial leaf disease.
The easiest way of keeping the humidity to an optimum level is using a plant humidifier.
Pebble tray is old school but an effective method if you don’t have the budget for a humidifier.
Fertilizing
Philodendron Fibrosum needs balanced fertilizer in all stages of its growth. No need to buy supplements that are high in nitrogen percentage.
Because potassium and phosphorous are equally important for this plant.
Fertilize it in only its growing season. Stop feeding it in the winter season. To prevent fertilizer burn you should dilute the nutrient solution as per the product instructions.
Some brands produce highly concentrated fertilizers.
To reduce your fertilizing expenses, fertilize your plant with compost or compost tea. This organic mixture is high in nitrogen.
Repotting
Repot it once in 2 years to refresh the potting soil. We all know potting soil loses its nutritional value over time.
So, it is best to change the soil to give a nutritional boost to the growing plant. Repotting is also required when the plant container becomes small for the growing plant.
Simply check the repotting signs to know the exact time of repotting philodendron.
If the roots are visible over the top surface or they are sneaking out of the drainage hole. This indicates your plant needs a large size pot.
Repot it the same way you repot Philodendron Eva.
Pruning and Maintenance
Fibrosum is a climbing plant. It needs moderate pruning to stay protected from pests and diseases.
Trim the yellow, brown, and damaged leaves. If only the tips are turning yellow, no need to trim these leaves.
There are chances they can heal themselves with little care.
After pruning, use a damp cloth and clean its leaves. Also, clean the plant pot and its surroundings.
At last use neem oil spray for extra protection.
Toxicity
Fibrosum philo is toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. Actually, the sap of the plant is toxic and ingestion of its parts results in toxicity.
Vomiting, excessive drooling, and stomach pain are a few of its early warning toxic signs.
Immediately seek medical help.
Propagating
For this particular plant, I prefer stem-cutting propagation in potting soil. Because it has strong nodes and is easy to multiply with this technique.
- Simply cut the 5 to 6 inches long stems.
- Make a clean cut 1 inch below the leaf node. It is the place where stem cutting will grow new roots.
- Take a small pot and fill it with a well-draining fertile potting mix.
- Plant the stem cutting in it and add water to moisten the soil.
- Keep the soil moist for fast rooting.
- Store the plant pot in a warm and bright place, away from direct sunlight.
- A minimum of 50% humidity is required for the development of new roots.
- It will take 20 days to develop new roots.
Troubleshooting
Sap Sucking Pests
Mealybugs, Aphids, thrips, and Scales are the common enemies of this plant. They attack weak and unhygienic houseplants.
So, keep your plant clean and make it strong by using quality fertilizers.
In case, you see tiny insects on your plant. Immediately use rubbing alcohol and wipe each leaf. If this technique does not seem helpful.
Then use pest-killing soap and rinse your plant. Houseplant pest-killing liquids are safe for all species of plants.
Yellow Leaves
If the bottom leaves are yellow, no need to worry. Because they are old leaves and this is the natural mechanism of shredding leaves.
But if the top leaves are yellow this means your plant is in serious problem.
Root fungus is turning its leaves yellow and eats the plant roots.
In this condition check the soil to confirm root rot. If it is saturated with water then it is definitely root rot.
Treatment of Root Rot:
Unpot your plant and remove the soil from the roots. Use sharp and sterilized shears to cut the damaged parts.
Then apply copper fungicide on the treated roots.
Take a fresh bag of soil and wash the current pot with warm water and soap. Add fresh soil to it and plant your philodendron back in the pot.
Add a few ounces of water to keep the fresh soil moist.
Place it in bright light and follow regular care.
Brown leaf tips
Leaf tips turning brown and crispy indicated dehydration. When tropical plants don’t get enough water.
They start using stored moisture in their leaves for photosynthesis.
When leaves go out of moisture their tips turn brown and crispy.
The only solution is immediately giving enough water to your plant. At this stage place your plant pot in a tub of water.
Let it absorb water from the bottom drainage hole.
This way you can quickly send enough water to dehydrated roots.
After 10 minutes take it out and let it drain with extra water.
Dark Spots on Leaves
Wet leaves and warm weather result in leaf fungus. These fungal bacteria attack the soft leaf tissues.
Damaged leaf tissues result in dark spots.
To prevent dark leaf spots, keep your plant leaves dry and clean.
Use copper-based fungicides to kill the leaf fungus. This is the only treatment and don’t forget to cut the damaged and infected leaves.
Conclusion
Philodendron Fibrosum needs moderate care and maintenance. It needs high humidity to stay healthy and thrive.
Wet leaves result in dark spots and too many leads to root rot. Bottom watering is the best way of watering to prevent dehydration.
Indirect bright light is all it needs for photosynthesis.
