Philodendron Gabby is a very famous ornamental plant. Its white-cream leaves make it a rare and extraordinary houseplant.
Gabby is a hybrid version of Philodendron Hederaceum.
It is also a climbing plant like its parent philodendron. You can grow it in any part of your home with minimal care.
It only grows a few inches long which makes it easy to handle this plant.
Gabby needs bright light for 5 to 6 hours, humidity above 40%, moderate watering, and fast-draining potting soil. Occasional fertilizing is required to keep it healthy and strong.
About Philodendron Gabby
About Philodendron Gabby
Philodendron Gabby also known as Philodendron Hederaceum Gabby is a famous indoor plant of the Araceae family.
This rainforest plant grows white and creamy leaves. In the initial stage, it grows green leaves as they mature, they develop variegation.
Gabby philodendron is an excellent starter plant for beginners. You can grow it as a tabletop. It is a beautiful piece of decoration.
Suppose you grow 2 gabby plants. You will notice both of them have different variegation. This is in the genes of this plant.
These plants are slightly different from each other in terms of variation and leaf size.
Light Needs
The intensity of light in grow room directly affects the variegation of leaves. Ideally, it needs 6 to 7 hours of filtered light.
So, do not place it on a sunny window. Because direct sunlight can damage the small variegated leaves.
Discoloration and brown and burned leaves are signs of too much light.
Similarly, too low light is also harmful to this plant. Because it needs a minimum of 250 Fc of light for photosynthesis.
In low light conditions, gabby became unable to make proper food for itself. This makes it weak, droopy, and prone to common houseplant diseases.
If you are planning to grow it as a tabletop, make sure there is good light in the room.
In low-light areas use a plant-growing bulb to full fill its light needs.
Potting Soil
Fast-draining potting soil is required to grow a thriving Philodendron Gabby. It is best to add some organic matter to the soil mix.
This will make it a well-aerated and well-draining mix.
Mix vermiculite, general potting soil, perlite, and a few parts of compost.
You will be surprised to know that you can grow philodendrons in water. But those philodendrons are different.
They are medium size plants for example: Philodendron Eva, Dodsonii, and Philo. Ernestii.
Philo. Gabby is prone to root rot and it cannot handle too much water.
Watering Philodendron Gabby
Gabby is prone to root fungus and overuse of water is the cause of root rot. This means you need to water it less.
There is a technique called soil check watering. Which helps to prevent root rot and add enough moisture to the soil.
Do not make a strict rule of watering this plant. Always check the soil moisture by poking your finger in the soil.
Water your plant only if the top few inches of soil are dry.
It will be best if you use rainwater or filtered water for watering philodendrons. Because such water does not contain unnecessary things like chlorine or fluorides.
They damage the roots and leaves.
To prevent water-related problems clean water is recommended.
Temperature
Philodendron Gabby is a tropical houseplant. We all know tropical regions are warm places. This plant also needs warm weather to grow.
Keep the temperature between 55 to 80 degrees F.
Helpful Tips:
- Do not place your plant in the bathroom. I know it is a warm and highly humid place. But what about air circulation? Lack of fresh air flow can kill your plant.
- The kitchen is the best place if you want to shift your plant to an ideal place in cold weather.
- Don’t move it near the heat vents and air conditioner.
Humidity
The level of air moisture in your home directly affects the health of gabby leaves. The ideal humidity range is 45 % to 65%.
Use a hygrometer to measure your home humidity.
In case it is low, move your plant to high humid place. Use a pebble tray and fill it with water. Place your plant over it and this will give it nice comfort in low humidity.
The next solution to low humidity is a plant humidifier. It is a device that helps growers to maintain an optimum level of humidity for their plants.
A plant humidifier is a less expensive portable device designed for plants.
Do not mist water on its leaves. It will result in a bacterial leaf spot.
Fertilizing Philodendron Gabby
It is small size plant and doesn’t need a high amount of nutrients to grow. But for excellent variegation and good health of its leaves.
You should supply it with organic nutrients.
General houseplant fertilizer is enough to full fill its nutritional needs. Dilute the solution as per the instructions in clean water.
Pour around the main central stem.
Fertilize Philodendron Gabby only in its growing season. Spring and summer are the best seasons for it. Use nutrient solution once in 30 days.
To prevent the overuse of fertilizers stop feeding your plant in the winter season.
Repotting
Repotting is not required for this plant. It has small root ball and they like to live in small pots.
Over a while, potting soil loses its nutritional value and becomes less fertile for plants. To prevent this condition, you must repot your plant in fresh soil once a year.
At the time of repotting cut the dry and infected roots.
Wash the plant pot with warm water and dishwashing soap. Add fresh soil and plant your gabby back on it.
Add some water to add moisture to potting soil. For a week you can see some weakness in your plant. This is normal and called repotting stress.
It will heal itself in a few days, just follow regular care.
Pruning
Pruning is a must to keep the plant bushy and disease-free. Every philodendron needs some kind of trimming for good health.
Trim yellow leaves and brown leaf tips. Use a damp cloth and clean its variegated leaves.
After pruning uses a neem oil spray to prevent pests and diseases.
Philodendron Gabby Propagation
Stem cutting is the safe method of propagating Philodendron Gabby. In this technique, we use a stem cutting to grow another place similar to the mother plant.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Choose a mature and healthy stem.
- Make a clean cut just below the leaf node.
- There should be at least 2 leaf nodes.
- Remove bottom leaves they do not require for propagation.
- Apply a rooting hormone at the edge.
- Take a small pot and add potting soil to it.
- Plant the stem cutting in the center of the pot and mist some water on potting soil.
- Do not wet the leaves, store the pot in a warm and highly humid place.
- Keep the soil moist and it will develop new roots in a few days.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Gabby
Pest Infestation
Aphids, Mealybugs, and Scales are common enemies of this plant. They lay their eggs in the leaf tissues.
Their larvae suck the sap of the plant and grow their generations.
As a result, plants develop tiny holes in leaves and die in a few days.
Solution
To prevent these pests, keep your plant clean and spray neem oil on it. In case you see tiny pests on your plants.
Immediately keep it separate from other healthy plants. Use rubbing alcohol and soft cotton to wipe each leaf.
Rubbing alcohol can kill pests in just a few seconds.
The next solution is pest-killing liquid soap. Rinse your plant with it and get rid of these nasty pests.
Root Rot
Yellow-turning leaves and wet soil indicate the presence of fungus in the root zone. Whenever you see yellow leaves on this plant.
Immediately check the soil moisture.
If it is wet then smell the soil, if it smells like rotten eggs then unpot your plant and cut the infected roots.
Use sharp shears for trimming roots.
Wash the plant pot with soap and use fresh soil to replant your philodendron.
After planting it in new soil add some water to add moisture. Place it in a bright place and follow regular care.
Less Variegation
Less variegation means most of the leaves stay green and do not develop a cream color. In most cases, low light is the main cause of leggy growth and less variegation.
Move your plant to a bright place and it will develop nice variegation in a few days. Do not move it in direct sunlight.
Use your light meter and choose the best place for your plant. Where it can get 250 Fc to 350 Fc of bright filtered light.
Conclusion
Philodendron Gabby needs basic care to grow and thrive. Indirect bright light and moderate watering are the secrets to success.
Grow it as a tabletop and in low light areas use grow light to full fill its light requirements.
Read the above guide and grow a disease-free healthy plant.
