Philodendron Florida Beauty Care: In-Depth Guide for Thriving Plant

Philodendron Florida Beauty is one of the most beautiful variegated philodendron plants. It is a plant that is famous all over the globe.

Florida Beauty is a hybrid version, means it is created by botanists.

The shape of its leaves and cream-lime variegation on green leaves make it totally different type of philodendron.

You can grow it as a tabletop like a piece of decoration.

It is a head turner and luckily, I have two plants, one in my bedroom and the other on my office table.

Moderate bright light is enough for it, fertilize it occasionally to encourage more beautiful leaves. well-draining soil and limited watering are its needs. You must use neem oil to keep the pests away. Root rot is the only problem with Florida Beauty Philodendron. We all know overwatering or wrong potting soil are the causes of it.

Let’s find out what else it needs to thrive:

What is Philodendron Florida Beauty?

It is a variegated plant and derives from Philodendron Squamiferum and Philodendron Pedatum.

Magic Mask is its second name but not very famous.

It is a fast grower plant and if everything goes fine it reaches 10 to 15 feet in height.

But this height is not possible indoors because we cannot mimic the jungle-like growing environment.

The general home humidity directly impacts its size. Therefore, keep it in an optimum range.

I want my plant to stay short, so I always prune the overgrowth and use medium size ceramic pots.

After a certain age, you should stop repotting it. When your plant understands, you are not growing to repot it.

It will stop growing tall and focus its energy on growing more leaves.

Note: If you like to grow it 5 or 8 feet tall then use a moss pole for this climber.

Light Needs

Light is the most important part of Philodendron Florida Beauty care. To keep it variegated and healthy choose a bright place.

So that your plant can receive a sufficient amount of bright light.

In absence of an adequate amount of light, you will see leggy growth and droopy leaves.

Keep it protected from direct sunlight because sun rays can burn its leaves. Yellow, pale, and brown leaves are the indication of too bright light.

An east-side window is the best place for this plant.

But if there is no sunlight coming into your room. Then use grow lights or shift it to more bright room.

Minimum 300 Foot Candles light is required to keep it thriving and variegated. Use a light meter and measure the light your plant is getting

If it is receiving 300 to 400 FC then it is good and you don’t need to move it. Otherwise, find a suitable bright place for it.

Potting Soil

This is the second most important growth factor that you need to closely monitor.

Florida Beauty plant needs 3 things in its potting soil.

  • Fast-draining capabilities
  • Organically Rich
  • Good Aeration

If you have a good budget, I suggest you buy a philodendron-specific soil and use it.

On the other hand, if you have different potting ingredients at home, you can make your own soil formula.

My home-made soil formula for particularly this philodendron is:

  • 50 % sphagnum Moss
  • 20% perlite
  • 20% Bark
  • 10% general potting mix or compost

This is the formula that has everything that Florida Beauty needs to grow. It has perlite to store water for a long time without being wet.

Compost for supplying natural nutrients. Sphagnum moss and bark for aeration and nourishment.

Any other soil type is not recommended because this philodendron is choosy about its needs.

Watering Philodendron Florida Beauty

Moist soil is key to success, you can keep the soil moist all the time by watering your plant. But the problem is Philodendron Florida Beauty is prone to root rot.

Now in this situation, you need to follow the finger test technique before watering your plant.

In this method, we test the soil moisture with our index finger. If we find the top layer of Philodendron Florida Beauty soil is dry.

We water the philodendron thoroughly to keep it hydrated.

If there is enough moisture, we wait for 48 hours and re-check the soil condition.

Like other tropical plants, it is best if you use filtered water only. Because in some parts of the country the municipal water contains chlorine.

It is used to kill bacteria and make water drinkable.

But this chlorine content is not digestible for plants. Any unwanted thing in their system makes them sick.

Therefore, to prevent brown spots on leaves and root problems avoid using tap water.

Temperature

Florida Beauty can tolerate a long range of temperatures between 50 degrees F to 85 degrees F.

For its good health just make sure the night temperature cannot drop below 50 F. If the night temperature is dropping down.

Then shift your plant to another room where the room temperature is stable and stays above 50 F.

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures causes much damage to the plant structure. Damaged leaves, woody stems, and weak plants are a few side effects of cold weather

Place it away from the direct flow of hot and cold air.

Humidity

Florida Beauty Philodendron and Philodendron Subhastatum need the same level of humidity. 45% to 55 % is the ideal range.

To maintain an optimum level of humidity you can use the pebble tray technique or a humidifier.

I prefer using a humidifier because it’s a one-time investment and a permanent solution to low humidity.

You need to just turn it ON by grouping all plants together, rest it will take care of everything.

Humidity is directly linked to healthy leaves. Florida beauty leaves absorb a good amount of moisture from the air.

This moisture gives them a bright and shining appearance.

Lack of sufficient humidity results in small size leaves, brown leaves, yellow leaves, and dehydrated leaves and stems.

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning is only required to remove dry, yellow, and dead leaves and stems. It is a strong plant and hardly gets any plant disease.

For general maintenance, you should keep it clean and wipe its leaves with a damp cloth.

Also, remove the bottom yellow leaves. Because they are old and are about to fall off the plant.

Toxicity

Like other philodendrons, this plant is also toxic to humans and pets. There are lots of things that you can do to prevent toxicity.

More about philodendron toxicity.

Fertilizing

You need to use a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen or use a balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20.

Nitrogen gives rich green color to plant leaves. It is the main ingredient that plants need to grow green plants.

Stems need lots of nitrogen to grow and make to produce chlorophyll pigment.

Florida philodendrons need occasional nutrient boosts.

I prefer fertilizing this particular one in 30 days in spring and summer. Do not waste your money on buying very expensive fertilizers.

The ratio of NPK is what matters and is almost equal in most fertilizers.

Other trace elements are not very necessary. Potting soil has them in sufficient amounts.

Nitrogen deficiency is huge in philodendron plants.

Repotting

Once a year is necessary if it is growing well. Slow-growing plants need repotting once in 2 years.

If you give it proper care you will need to up pot your Florida beauty every year.

More about philodendron repotting time and why it is necessary.

Repotting Process:

  • Buy a plant pot 2 inches deep and wider than the current pot.
  • Also, buy new fresh potting soil of the same type.
  • Take out the plant from its old pot and inspect the roots.
  • Wash the root ball with normal water and fill the new pot to its half with new soil.
  • Plant your Florida Beauty Philodendron in it and fill the remaining with soil.
  • Gently tap around the plant and give it water.
  • Place it back in its place and follow the general care.

Philodendron Florida Beauty Propagation

Philodendron Florida Beauty can be propagated with air layering and stem-cutting techniques. Below is the stem propagation technique.

Because I feel it is easy for beginner growers and required less work.

Stem Propagation Steps:

  • With your sterilized knife cut 5 to 6 inches long 2 to 3 stems.
  • Remove the bottom leaves and dip the edge in the rooting hormone (must use).
  • Take a glass of water and dip the stem in it. Make sure all leaves stay above the water level.
  • Cover the bottom of the glass with paper to protect roots from direct light.
  • Put the glass jar in a warm and humid place in filtered light.
  • Change the water when it became unclear.
  • Within a few days, you will see new tiny roots.
  • Transfer it to potting soil when you see the new roots are more than an inch long.

Troubleshooting

Pest Problems

General houseplant pests are common on unhygienic Florida Beauty Philodendron plants. They suck the sap of the plant.

This makes it nutrient deficient, weak, and droopy.

All pests develop their colonies under the leaves. You need to target their colonies to get rid of them.

I use pest-killing sprays on my houseplants to kill them.

For prevention, I use a neem oil spray. Pest-killing soap sprays are safe to use on houseplants. They do not contain harsh chemicals.

Wear gloves and safety glasses before using them.

Root Fungus

It is common problem with Florida beauty and Philodendron Majesty.

Prevent overwatering if you do not want to face root rot. Root fungus is the result of wet soil for a prolonged time.

The only solution is to unpot your plant and repot it in a new pot.

Before repotting in new soil and a new pot cut the infected roots with a sterilized knife. Apply a little bit of cinnamon powder or use a copper fungicide.

Dry Brown Leaves

Dry leaves first turn yellow and then brown. Brown leaves cannot turn green again. You have to remove them from your plant to save its energy.

Check the soil if it is dry immediately water your plant thoroughly.

Bottom watering methods are best to soothe dehydrated plants. Take a tub of water and place your plant pot in it for 15 minutes.

How to keep Philodendron Florida Beauty thriving?

  • Expose your plant to bright filtered light for 7 to 9 hours per day.
  • Use fast-draining potting soil that also contains some amount of compost or other organic substances.
  • Always use plant pots with 2 or more draining holes. It is best if you use terracotta or ceramic plant pots. They are heavy and can hold the weight of Florida beauty.
  • Water as per the conditions of the soil and do not follow any watering schedule in the winter season.
  • Occasional fertilizing is sufficient to keep it thriving.
  • Use neem oil spray to prevent pests and fungal diseases.
  • Use a damp cloth to clean your plant and its pot.
  • Pruning is not necessary but for general maintenance trim dead parts of the plant
  • Use filtered water and check the soil before watering.

Conclusion

Florida Beauty Philodendron is an excellent variegated plant with unique leaves. It is a climber plant and you should use a moss pole to grow it vertically.

It can adapt to a variety of growing conditions. It is a strong plant but is prone to root diseases when overwatered.

Leave a Comment