Philodendrons are easy-to-grow versatile plants. You can grow a philodendron in your living room, balcony, or in any room with good bright light and air circulation.
Philodendron Furcatum is known for its rare bi-colored leaves. This philodendron is a little difficult to grow.
The tough part is its growing needs and maintaining a perfect growing environment throughout the year.
If you are a new grower then do not go for this plant. There are many other philodendrons that are the best options for beginner growers.
Philodendron Cherry Red, Philodendron Atom, and Asplundii are easy beginner plants.
Under ideal growing conditions Furcatum grows 5 to 7 feet tall. The total spread of this plant is 2.5 to 3 feet.
Philodendron Furcatum grows heart-shaped pale green, unribbed leaves with forked veins.
As you can see in the above image its leaves are unique, rare, and very beautiful. It is hard to find this plant in local garden stores.
Because it is hard to care for and this is the reason most garden stores don’t sell it. But if you are a fan of rare and unique foliage plants. Then you should choose it above other plants.
Below is the complete care guide for Philodendron Furcatum. Every growing requirement is explained in easy steps.
So, that you can completely understand its needs and give the best care to your plant.
How to Care for Philodendron Furcatum?
For better health of your Philodendron Furcatum, plant it in fast-draining soil. Give it bright indirect light and moderate water. Use liquid fertilizers in the active growing time. Maintain the room humidity above 40% for healthy leaves.
Light Requirements
Light energy directly affects the leaf size, color, and overall health of this plant. Grow this philodendron in bright light.
Make sure it is not receiving direct sunlight. Shaded light is perfect to grow it and to prevent sunburn-like problems.
300 to 430 FC is the amount of light that it needs to grow.
Too bright light and too low light, are both conditions that are deadly for the plant.
Low light Signs:
- Leggy Growth
- Leaves are smaller than normal
- No new growth
- Slow growth rate
- Leaves lose their shine and glossiness
Too Much Light Signs:
- Pale or Bleached Leaves
- Burned Leaves
- Browning of Tips
- Dry Patches
- Yellow Leaves
Adjust the light conditions if you see any of the above issues in your plant.
Potting Soil
Before choosing potting soil, you should know about its moisture needs. It needs consistent moisture in the potting soil for its entire life.
It cannot tolerate dryness in the soil. This means you need soil ingredients that can hold enough moisture without being wet.
Because wet soil can cause root rot.
In my experience, the best potting soil for this philodendron is peat moss + vermiculite + perlite.
50% peat moss + 25 % vermiculite and 25% perlite.
Some people recommend succulent soil. Do not use it or your plant will die in a few days.
Watering Needs
Moisture requirements of all philodendrons are the same and this plant is no different. It needs a good amount of moisture in the soil.
This moisture is used for making plant glucose and for growth.
In the absence of adequate soil moisture. The leaves of Philodendron Furcatum will turn crispy brown.
Dehydration can kill your plant few days.
Therefore, to prevent all water-related issues. Water your plant when the top surface (top 2 inches) of the soil become dry.
This way you can also prevent overwatering.
The second important thing is the quality of water. Only use filtered water for watering Furcatum. Because it is easy for plants to absorb from the potting soil.
They can easily transport it to different parts of the plant.
On the other side, tap water contains chlorine and it can damage the roots. Plants with damaged roots do not survive for long.
Don’t take risk of your plant’s life and only use clean chlorine-free water.
Temperature Requirements
The temperature needs of this philodendron are a little different. Whereas other philodendrons like warm temperatures.
The Furcatum needs little cooler temperatures.
Keep the grow room temperature between 55 to 80 degrees F. Make sure the temperature cannot go above 80 degrees F.
It is best if you use a temperature monitor device in your grow room. It will trigger an alarm when the room temperature goes above or drop below the set value.
Go to Amazon and check for the plant thermometer.
Humidity Requirements
Many sites recommend high humidity above 80% for this plant. But my Philodendron Furcatum is growing well in moderate humidity.
My home humidity stays between 50% to 65% depending on the weather.
My philodendron leaves are glossy, shining, and bi-colored. No low humidity signs.
In case your home humidity is lower than 50%. Move your plant to a high-humidity place (not in the bathroom).
Or
You can use the pebble tray technique but I prefer using a plant humidifier. Because it is a rare plant and a humidifier is an excellent solution to low humidity.
Do not mist water on its leaves. This can lead to dark spots on its leaves (a fungal disease).
Fertilizing Philodendron Furcatum
It grows at a moderate speed and needs a limited amount of fertilizer. To grow it strong and to help it to grow beautiful large leaves.
One should fertilize it with liquid fertilizers.
Once in 25 to 30 days is the perfect fertilizing routine. Do not fertilize your plant in the winter season. It will result in fertilizer burn.
Because in cold weather plants stop their growth and go into a dormancy period. In simple words, it is their rest period.
A balanced fertilizer will be a great choice. Simply follow the instruction for dilution.
Pruning Philodendron Furcatum
Pruning is a must to keep your plant healthy and disease-free. Cut yellow, dry, and dead leaves with a sterilized knife.
Trim it carefully and don’t damage healthy parts.
Sterilize your tools before storing them.
After pruning uses a damp soft cloth and wipes its leaves. Cleanliness is important to prevent diseases.
Also, clean the plant pot and its surroundings. Spray neem oil and let your plant enjoy the best growing environment.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, it is toxic to humans and pets. The ingestion of its parts can cause toxicity. Excessive drooling, stomach pain, sore throat, etc are its toxic symptoms.
Immediately seek medical help.
Repotting Philodendron Furcatum
Repot your plant only in root-bound conditions. To check it lift your plant and see under the plant pot. If the roots are growing out of the drainage hole.
This means the current pot is small for them and they need extra room for growth.
Unpot your plant and remove soil from its roots.
Cut the dry and damaged roots with a sterilized knife or shears.
Take a new pot 2 inches deep and wider than the current pot.
Add fresh soil and plant your philodendron in it.
Add some water for moisture.
Repotting is done and now follow the regular care routine.
Philodendron Furcatum Propagation
Propagate Philodendron Furcatum like we propagate philodendron Lupinum and Snowdrift.
Stem cutting is an easy and high success method of propagation. Follow the below steps for 100% success.
- Choose a healthy stem with at least one top leaf.
- Stem cutting should be 6 to 7 inches long.
- Cut 1 inch below the leaf node.
- Apply rooting hormone on the edge.
- Use liquid rooting hormone for this plant.
- After applying the rooting hormone take a glass of water.
- Submerge stem cutting in it, makes sure the leaf will stay above water level.
- Store it in a warm place in bright indirect light.
- Change the water regularly.
- Transfer the cutting to potting soil once it grows roots more than 1 inch long.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Furcatum
Pest Problems
Spider mites and Mealybugs are common on indoor growing Philodendron Furcatum plants. They eat the leaf cells and the sap of the plant.
The infected plant goes out of nutrients and the damaged leaf cells start dying. The leaves will develop dark spots, and holes and turn brown.
To prevent pests, keep your plant clean and hygienic. Spray neem oil on it for more protection.
To treat your infected plant, keep it separate from other healthy plants. Use pest-killing liquid and rinse your plant.
For rinsing, you can use tap water.
Keep it separate until you see new growth of leaves.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves are triggered by 3 common conditions. First, root rot means too much moisture in the potting soil and decaying roots due to fungus.
The second cause is using water that has high chlorine content.
Low light in grow room.
The first should be trimming the yellow leaves. This way you can save plant energy and divert it to grow more new healthy leaves.
In most cases, overuse of water is the cause of yellow leaves. Check the soil if it is drenched with water. Then unpot your plant and check the roots.
Cut the damaged roots and apply cinnamon power or copper fungicide on the roots. Use fresh soil and a new pot for repotting your plant.
Add fresh water to the pot and place it in bright light for fast healing.
Spots on Leaves
If your Philodendron Furcatum develops dark spots on its leaves. This means it is infected by bacterial leaf spots. It is a fungal disease that is triggered by warm weather and wet leaves.
Xanthomonas Campestris is the pathogen that is responsible for this condition of leaves.
Trim the infected parts of your plant and keep them separate.
Use fungicide spray to kill the fungal bacteria.
Curled Leaves
Furcatum is a plant that cannot tolerate hot weather. When you place it in too warm weather and the temperature goes above 80 degrees F.
It curls its leaves to protect itself from a warm climate.
Move it to a less warm place and it will heal itself in a few days.
Conclusion
Every professional grower wants this philodendron to add to their plant collection. Indirect bright light is enough for it.
Keep the soil well-moisturized to keep it thriving.
Do not allow the temperature to go above 80 degrees F for its good health.
Humidity above 50% is enough for it and it can grow healthy in general home humidity.
