If want to grow indoor plants to decorate your home. Then you must first start with an easy-to-grow plant. Philodendron Lacerum is the best choice to start this journey.
You can grow this philodendron in almost all types of growing environments. By growing this plant, you can quickly master houseplant growing skills.
Then you can choose costly and rare plants for your indoor space.
Moderate light and minimal watering are the secrets to success. Use fertilizers as per the requirement of the plant. Maintain a constant temperature to prevent environmental stress.
We cannot predict the size of this philodendron. Because in its natural habitat, Lacerum grows more than 20 feet tall.
It has a climbing nature and if you want your plant to grow this tall. Then you have to use a moss pole or other climbing support.
Philodendron Lacerum Care Guide:
Light Needs
Philodendron Lacerum needs moderate light. This means you can grow it in almost any part of your home.
Just make sure the light energy is above 200 Fc. To measure the light energy, you can use a light meter.
Low light requirements make it easy to grow this philodendron indoors and outdoors.
Place it close to the sunny window so that it can get 6 to 7 hours of indirect bright light. Do not expose it to direct sunshine.
Because sunlight is harsh on the plant and can burn its leaves.
Yellow leaves with brown tips indicate too much bright light. Quickly shift it to a less bright place and save its life.
Potting Soil
This plant needs well-draining organically rich potting soil. To keep a good airflow, you must add orchid barks in the soil mix formula.
Other important ingredients are peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
You can also grow philodendrons in water and sphagnum moss. I do not recommend you to try these methods. They have a low success rate.
My soil formula is:
50% Peat moss + 20% Perlite + 20% Vermiculite + 10% Orchid bark.
If you like to use readymade soil then make sure the soil mix you choose must have perlite in it. Because it is a natural ingredient and does not disturb the pH of the soil.
Moreover, it has excellent abilities to store a good amount of moisture without being wet. Which helps to prevent root rot and other overwatering issues.
Watering Philodendron lacerum
Lacerum is a drought-tolerant plant. This means if you skip a watering session, your plant will not die. It can handle dry conditions for a long time.
Add enough moisture to the potting soil. You must water it regularly after checking the soil moisture.
And to check the soil moisture insert a pencil 2 inches deep in the soil. If the soil has moisture in its top soil layers. Then don’t need to water your plant.
On the other side if the top 2 inches of the soil are dry. Then water your plant immediately.
With this method, you can easily prevent overwatering and underwatering.
Quality of Water
For the better health of your philodendron do not use tap water. Because tap water contains chlorine and other unwanted minerals in it.
These are harmful to the plant roots.
On the flip side, filtered water is an excellent choice for watering this plant. It does not contain unwanted minerals and other substances.
It is easy for the roots to absorb filtered water from the soil.
Fertilizing Lacerum
When it comes to fertilizing the lacerum. You need to look at its natural habitat. In its natural home, this plant has plenty of organic nitrogen.
This means it needs a high amount of nitrogen. Nowadays we have smart fertilizers in the market. Plants cannot differentiate between synthetic and organic nutrients.
Organic nutrient supplements are costly whereas synthetic nutrients are cost effective and go long.
Choose a synthetic nutrient supplement that has a little extra amount of nitrogen. Dilute the solution to its half-strength.
Pour it directly into the soil.
To prevent fertilizer burn you should only use the nutrient supplement in the spring and summer seasons.
Ideal Temperature
To know about the temperature needs of this plant. You have to look at its natural habitat. There it enjoys warm weather 365 days a year.
So, keep your home temperature between 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the grow room temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Your plant will feel cold and cold temperature is damaging to its roots.
On the other side, if the grow room temperature goes above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Your plant will go into survival mode.
Then it stops growing its leaves and stems. It will spend its energy to protect itself from the hot weather.
In order to prevent all temperature-related stress and issues. Keep the grow room temperature in the ideal range.
Install a thermometer in the grow room and regularly monitor the temperature.
Humidity
Humidity is an essential part of plant care. Philodendrons like high humidity. These plants are native to tropical jungles.
The good news is for this particular plant you don’t need to mimic the jungle-like conditions. Your normal home humidity is enough to maintain its health.
On normal days we have our home humidity between 45% to 60%. Which is totally normal for lacerum, Philodendron Serpens, and Silver Sword.
In case you find your home humidity is lower than 45%. Grab a spray bottle and missed some water on its leaves.
The next option we have is a Pebble tray. Add small rocks to it and fill it with clean water. Then, place your plant pot over it.
The last and best option is using our plant humidifier. This device is specially designed for home growers.
Just place it next to your plants and turn it on.
Do not take humidity lightly because in low humidity your plant leaves will turn yellow, crispy, and brown.
Pruning
It is a climbing plant with large leaves. In order to keep it in desired shape and size, you have to cut its overly-grown parts.
To trim the overgrowth you should use a sterilized pair of knives or shears.
Cut the yellow, brown, and dead parts of the plant. After cutting your plant, use a soft and damp cloth to wipe its leaves.
Remove the dust from its leaves and also keep the plant pot and its surroundings clean. This will prevent common house plant diseases and pests.
Do not use the trimmed parts in making compost. Because new growers often make this silly mistake.
Learn more about making compost.
Repotting Philodendron Lacerum
Reporting is required because after some time the roots feel suffocated in their container.
When roots grow large, they need more space to spread themselves.
Check the below Reporting signs:
- Visible roots over the top soil surface
- Roots poking out of the drainage hole
Once you are sure that your plant roots feel suffocated and they need a large size pot. Immediately grab a new pot and a fresh bag of potting soil.
Use any sharp tool to lose the potting soil and unpot your plant. Take your plant out of its container. And remove the soil from its roots.
If required wash the roots with clean water. Cut the infected and dry brown roots. Don’t try to untangle them.
Add fresh soil to a large pot and plant your philodendron in it. Add some water to add moisture and place your newly potted plant in its place.
For the first week, you may see some weakness in your plant, but it is totally normal. It will go on its own within a few days.
Philodendron Lacerum Propagation
There are multiple ways to propagate the Philodendron lacerum plant. But I have found that stem-cutting propagation is easy for beginners and has a high success rate.
To propagate your plant, identify a healthy stem with healthy leaves. Cut multiple stems five to six inches long. Cut the bottom leaves because we don’t need them in the propagation, we only need the top one or two leaves.
Once you remove the bottom leaves. Dip the stem cutting in the rooting hormone. Take a glass Jar and fill it with clean filtered water.
Put stem cuttings in it and store the glass jar in a warm environment away from that direct sunlight.
Regularly change the water in the glass jar. Within a few days, you will see the development of new tiny roots.
Once the new white roots grow 1 inch long. Transfer the stem cutting to potting soil and follow the regular care routine.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Lacerum
Pest Infestations
Tiny bugs on plant leaves are an alarming situation. In short, these nasty insects are destroying your plant.
It will die in a few days if you do not take any action.
If there are few pests on the plant then use rubbing alcohol to wipe its leaves. Bugs will die in seconds when they come in contact with rubbing alcohol.
The next option is beneficial if the pests are all over the plant. Keep it separate and use liquid pest-killing soap to rinse your plant.
Yellow Turning Leaves
Yellow turning leaves indicate root rot underneath the soil. Overuse of water is the main cause of it. Because wet soil and warm weather invite many fungal diseases.
Yellow leaves and wet soil are the signals that the plant shows in this situation.
Unpot your plant and cut the damaged roots. Use a new pot and fresh to replant your philodendron. add some water and place it in bright light for a few days.
This will help it to heal fast.
Cracks on the Soil
Cracks on the top soil layer indicate dryness in the soil layers. When the plant goes out of the water. the potting soil develops small or large cracks.
In this case, act fast and take a tub of water. place your plant in it and make sure only the pot gets submerged.
Let the plant absorb water for 30 minutes. Then take it out of the tub and drain extra water.
Place it in bright light and wait for it to heal.
Conclusion
Philodendron lacerum is a beginner plant with large green foliage. This climbing plant stays green for 365 days a year.
To keep it healthy expose it to bright light and water it moderately.
