Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole is famous for its unique petioles and heart-shaped leaves. The interesting thing is petioles change their color and size as the plant moves toward maturity.
This is the unique habit of this philodendron. It is the reason Fuzzy Philodendron is famous all over the globe.
The sad truth is you cannot find it easily in local garden stores. It comes in the list of rare houseplants with large size leaves.
To grow it healthy, expose it to bright filtered light, and water it after checking the soil moisture, normal home humidity is perfect for it, and neem oil spray is recommended to prevent fungal diseases.
About Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole?
It is naturally found in tropical rainforests of Central America. There it enjoys high humidity and warm weather.
Due to dense forest, it only receives a limited amount of sunlight. This means fuzzy is perfect for an indoor growing environment.
When grown indoors indirect bright light is sufficient and acts like a miracle on it.
There are many philodendrons that are hard to differentiate. Most of the heart-shaped green leaf Philodendrons look similar to each other.
This plant looks similar to philodendron Nangaritense. But there is a difference, that is fuzzy leaves are smaller and more heart-shaped.
The next similar plant is Philodendron Gloriosum. So, be careful while purchasing your Fuzzy philodendron.
Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole Care Needs:
It is easy to grow and maintain this houseplant. It needs moderate care and less maintenance than other common indoor plants.
Your main focus should be on light, water, and humidity.
Light Needs
The most common problem that growers face with this plant is sunburned leaves. To avoid it place your plant in filtered bright light.
You can place it on an east-facing sunny window like me. Because the East window only allows early morning sunlight to fall on the plant.
Warm sunlight is beneficial for the philodendrons.
6 hours per day is the minimum amount of light it needs to grow.
If you see small leaves with leggy stems. This means your plant is not getting enough light. Move it to a bright place so that it can get enough light and heal itself.
New growers should use a light meter to find the best place for their plants. This inexpensive device is easy to use and is very helpful in preventing low-light spots.
Watering
The frequency of watering sessions depends on the season of the year. In spring and summer, this plant needs more water.
Because in these seasons it grows new leaves and stems. For healthy growth, it needs lots of food and to make sufficient food it needs lots of water and sunlight.
In the winter season, stop watering it every week and follow the soil check method. Once the top layers of the soil become dry, water your plant immediately.
I always follow the soil check rule for watering my indoor plants.
Just poke your finger in the soil and check moisture. Don’t water if the soil is well moisturized.
If you are concerned about the quality of water. I suggest you use filtered water only.
Potting Soil for Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole
Well-draining potting soil is an excellent choice for it. You can choose any ready-to-use indoor plant soil.
Just make sure the potting soil must have peat moss in it.
And if you want a more stable ingredient than peat moss. In this case, use coco coir. It also makes the soil fluffy and lightweight.
I made my own soil by mixing the following ingredients:
60% peat moss + 20 Perlite +10 Vermiculite + Orchid barks.
If you don’t have vermiculite, you can use compost. For new growers, it is best to buy a commercial potting mix.
Temperature
It needs a warm temperature between 65 to 85 degrees F. In case it drops below 55 degrees F. The moisture in its leaves starts freezing.
This results in brown and rusty spots.
Low temperature affects the growth rate of indoor plants. They go into a dormancy period and stop growing.
Temperature above 90 degrees F is too hot. This increases the use of water in the photosynthesis process.
Plants go under heat stress and leaves start wilting.
Humidity
Normal home humidity is enough for it. But if you want your plant to grow extraordinary leaves. Then keep the humidity above 60 %.
Otherwise, 45% is perfect for normal growth.
In low humidity, you will see brown leaf tips and yellow leaves. If you don’t take appropriate steps on time.
The yellow leaves will turn into brown crispy leaves.
You should use a plant humidifier on low-humid days. Also, use a hygrometer to keep an eye on the growing room humidity.
If you do not have the budget for a plant humidifier. Then use the pebble tray method instead of misting water on it.
Fill the tray with small rocks and tap water. Place the plant pot over it and you are done. Don’t let the pebble tray go out of water.
Fertilizing
Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole is a moderate grower. It needs a limited amount of fertilizer in the growing season.
It is best if you use synthetic plant food. Because they are less expensive, safe, and give quick results.
I am using Miracle-Gro normal houseplant fertilizer.
It gives excellent results and is inexpensive than other brands. Take the desired amount of nutrient solution and dilute it in filtered water.
Do not use tap water to dilute the solution.
To prevent fertilizer burn, you should stop feeding your plant in the winter season. In my experience, spring is the best time to boost an indoor plant with nutrients.
Pruning
Trim the dry and dead leaves with sterilized shears. This step is necessary to keep your plant healthy and disease-free.
After trimming your plant sterilize the tools with rubbing alcohol before storing them.
Once you finish pruning, use a damp cloth to clean its leaves. This step is important to prevent pests and common houseplant diseases.
Repotting Fuzzy Petiole Philodendron
This plant stays medium in height and it doesn’t need frequent repotting. But for general rule repot it once in 2 years.
For repotting take a big size pot and a new bag of soil.
A 2-inch large pot than the current container is sufficient.
Before repotting check the following signs:
- Roots sneaking out of the potting soil
- Roots are growing out of the drainage hole.
- Soil comes out with drained water.
Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole Propagation
I have found that stem cutting is the best and easy method of propagation. Take a few cuttings 4 to 5 inches long.
Apply rooting hormone at the base of the stem cuttings. Take a glass of water and dip the cuttings. Make sure the leaves stay above the water level.
Store the glass in a warm and humid place. Change the water regularly, within 2 to 3 weeks you can expect new roots.
Once the new roots grow 1-inch long transfer your stem cutting to potting soil.
Troubleshooting
Pest Attack
Pests will not attack your plant. If you keep the plant and its surroundings clean and hygienic. Unhygienic plants are easy targets of insects.
Keep the plant leaves clean and use neem oil spray once in 20 days.
In case your plant get infected use rubbing alcohol to wipe its leaves. This is the best method of pest-killing for this plant.
Do not use pest-killing soap because you will not need it.
Aphids, Mealybugs, and Scales are common houseplant enemies.
Powdery Mildew
The white powder-like substance is not harmful to the plant. It is the result of excessive humidity and soil moisture.
You should remove it manually to prevent it in the future. Place your plant in morning sunlight for a few days.
Again, neem oil is recommended to prevent it.
Yellow Turning Leaves
Yellow leaves indicate overwatering. Too much water in the potting soil results in root rot. This fungus decays the plant roots.
Destroyed roots cannot absorb enough water and nutrients from the soil.
This turns the healthy green heart-shaped leaves into yellow color.
Solution:
To prevent it do not overwater your plants. In case your plant is infected with root rot. Cut the yellow leaves and unpot your plant. Cut the infected portion of roots.
Take a new pot and fresh soil to replant your philodendron. If the entire root ball is infected then propagation is the only chance to save it.
Brown Spots on Leaves
This indicates the serious problem of leaf infections. It is a fungal bacterium that causes dark spots on plant leaves.
Cut the infected leaves and use a copper fungicide to kill them.
Warm weather and too much moisture in the air are ideal places for bacterial leaf spots.
Conclusion
Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole is an excellent choice for homes and offices. It needs a limited amount of light and water to grow.
Take care of its humidity needs if you want large-size leaves.
Neem oil is beneficial against various pests and fungal infections.
