The Philodendron Mamei is a gorgeous foliage plant. It grows large size leaves with silver markings. Do not choose this plant if this is your first experience with philodendrons.
Because this philodendron needs little extra care and attention.
In this guide, I will try to make it easy and simple for you to grow Mamei philodendrons.
What is Philodendron Mamei?
Philodendron Mamei is not a hybrid houseplant. It is naturally variegated.
There are some hybrid P. Mamei versions available but they are not beautiful as this naturally variegated philodendron.
Give it the best care and it will grow to 3 to 4 feet tall. The size of its heart-shaped leaves depends upon care techniques.
It is possible to see large size leaves on small size plants, small size leaves on large and tall P. Mamei.
It is also known by other names:
- Philodendron Silver Cloud
- Quilted Silver Leaf Plant
- Philodendron Silver Cloud Mamei
In its natural habitat, this philodendron grows as a ground cover and tree warp. When grown indoors it does not grow tall enough.
But with proper fertilization, you can grow it tall and also speed up its growth.
Philodendron Mamei Care Tips
Light Needs
Light is a crucial part of Philodendron Mamei care. It has variegated leaves which means it has fewer green parts to absorb light energy.
Plants with fewer green parts need long exposures to bright light to full fill their light requirements.
But with P. Mamei things are a little different. Its silver markings help this plant to stay alive in low light.
This means you can grow it in dim light but then do not expect large-size variegated leaves.
For optimal growth, you must expose your plant to bright indirect light for 6 to 7 hours a day.
In-foot candles it can grow happily in 200 FC. For the best possible growth and appearance, it needs 350 to 400 FC of light.
In very dim light, Silver Cloud philodendron will grow leggy, weak, and droopy.
In too bright light you see yellow-turning leaves with brown tips. This condition is called burned leaves.
Do not expose it to direct sunlight, it does not need it.
There are some conditions when you need to place it in morning sunlight for 2 to 3 hours.
For example,
- The soil is too wet
- Your plant grows leggy
Or
- to evenly distribute light energy.
Potting Soil
Airy and well-draining soil is best to use for Philodendron Mamei care. I am using Fox Farms indoor potting soil for Mamei and Philodendron Mcdowell.
It has everything that my Mamei needs to grow.
If you want to reduce your fertilizer expenses. Then you should use pre-fertilized potting soil.
It is soil that contains all the essential nutrients that a philodendron needs to grow. You do not need to buy nutrient supplements separately.
This type of soil mix is costly.
I have a budget issue so I am using general potting soil and use liquid fertilizers to reduce the growing expenses.
I have more than 250 types of plants in my collection.
So, it is important to keep the growing cost low. I also give free plants to kids to keep them attached to mother nature.
Watering P. Mamei
Like many houseplants of this genus it needs moist soil to grow but is prone to root rot. This makes it hard to water freely.
You have to follow the right watering technique to prevent root rot.
Before watering Silver Cloud Philodendron, you must check its potting soil. You can use your finger or use a moisture testing meter.
Water it only when the top layers of the potting soil become dry.
Water it thoroughly and after 60 minutes comes back and empty the saucer.
Lack of sufficient moisture in soil results in curled and brown leaf tips.
Next comes the quality of water, you should only use filtered water free from chloride and other substances.
Chlorine is salt that is used to kill harmful bacteria in water.
But it is not needed by the houseplants to grow, it is not a nutrient. When you supply chlorine water to philodendron Mamei.
Its roots absorb chlorine with water and transport it to all parts of the plant. This turns the beautiful variegated leaves into yellow color.
Your plant looks weak, droopy, and lifeless. Only clean and filtered water keeps it healthy and thriving.
Temperature
You are lucky because this plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures 60 to 85 Degrees F. This means you don’t need to touch your thermostat.
Just be careful in the winter season when the temperature goes to minus.
It is a tropical plant and we know all tropical plants including Philodendron Gigas and Mamei need warm weather.
Therefore, move it to a warm place in the winter season, cover the pot with a warm cloth, or place a thick mat under the pot.
Do not place it near the heat vents. Any type of artificial heat is damaging to the plant health.
Protect it from sudden temperature changes and cold winds. Do not change its place frequently this increases the chances of winter stress.
Humidity
Normal home humidity is suitable to care for Silver Cloud Philodendron. Its heart-shaped large size leaves absorb a good amount of moisture from the air.
This moisture helps the plant to keep its leaves healthy shining and disease-free.
When plants absorb light, they also absorb moisture and oxygen. The mixture of these 3 things is required to produce plant glucose.
Therefore, you need to keep the humidity at the optimum level.
To increase home humidity, use a humidifier or simply use a pebble tray. Fill it with clean water and put your plant pot over it.
To prevent root rot, make sure the water level of the tray does not touch the bottom hole of the plant pot.
Brown crispy leaves are an indication of low air moisture.
Do not mist water on its leaves, this will lead to bacterial leaf spots.
Pruning
Silver Cloud Philodendron is a slow-growing plant. Sometimes it only grows 1 to 2 leaves in its entire growing season.
So, it does not need pruning, but to keep it healthy. You must trim the dead and yellow leaves.
Use sterilized tools on the infected parts.
Keep the plant pot and its surroundings clean to prevent diseases. Remove the bottom leaves that are yellow.
Fertilizing Philodendron Mamei
Like Philodendron Plowmanii, it needs a moderate amount of nutrients. You will be surprised to know that both plants have an almost similar types of leaves
Fertilize It only in spring and summer.
Once a month is sufficient to support its health.
In my experience, synthetic liquid fertilizers are good to use than organic ones. Because organic fertilizers release smell when broken down by the bacteria.
On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers are concentrated nutrients. They are in ready-to-use form for plants.
You just need to dilute them in clean water and pour them into the potting soil.
To prevent fertilizer burn you must follow the instructions on the fertilizer bottle. Also, stop using them in the winter season.
Repotting Philodendron Mamei
Unnecessary repotting is unhealthy and is not recommended. You can identify the repotting time by seeing your plant condition.
If the roots are growing out of the bottom draining hole. This indicates roots are compact and need more space to breathe freely.
Follow the below steps for efficient repotting:
- Take out the plant from its pot.
- Remove old soil and wash roots with normal water.
- Use a large size pot and fresh soil.
- Place your plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh soil.
- Gently tap around the plant and give some water to add moisture.
- Place it in its place and follow regular care.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, it is toxic to humans and pets like Philodendron Cobra, the sap is toxic because it contains calcium oxalate. Ingestion of plant parts results in toxicity.
Vomiting, nausea, excessive drooling, stomach pain, sore throat, burning, etc are early warning signs of toxicity.
Take your pet to a veterinarian for help.
Call the poison control center.
Propagating Philodendron Mamei
Philodendrons are easy to propagate with stem-cutting techniques. If you are an advanced grower then go for the Air layering technique.
Stem Cutting Technique:
- Choose a healthy stem with a healthy leaf and node. Cut just below the leaf node and dip it in the rooting hormone. It is required to successfully propagate the philodendron Mamei plant.
- Then take a glass of water and put the stem cutting in it.
- Do not use soil for propagation because you cannot see what is going on underneath the soil.
- Whereas you can clearly see the development of roots in the glass.
- After placing the stem cutting in the glass store the glass in a warm environment and bright light. Sunlight is prohibited in this case.
- Keep eye on the water and change it once it gets dirty.
- If there is a too bright light in the room then cover the base of the glass with newspaper.
- It is necessary to protect the new growing roots from direct sunlight.
- Once you see the new roots are 1 to 2 inches long, transfer the cutting to potting soil.
Air layering propagation technique:
- Identify old stems with some healthy air roots near the leaf node.
- Grab wet sphagnum and wrap it around the roots.
- Use a plastic cover to wrap the moss and do not close the top and bottom of the wrap.
- We need it to spray water to keep the sphagnum moss moist.
- The open bottom is also necessary because sometimes roots grow excessively long. This gives them nice room to grow.
- Within 10 to 15 days, you can easily see new roots growing downwards the wrap.
- Gently remove the wrap and cut under the node.
- Take a new pot and fresh potting to plant your propagated Mamei Philodendron.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Mamei
Pest Infestation
Fungus gnats, scales, and mealybugs are the common Mamei plant pests. To catch the problem on time always check under the leaves.
They mostly build their colonies under the large leaves or near the leaf nodes.
The first solution is wiping leaves with rubbing alcohol.
If they damage the plant leaves and you see tiny holes in them. It is time to use a hardcore solution.
Use pest-killing soap made for plants. There are many brands and some well-known ones are listed on Amazon.
Take your plant outdoors and wash it with soap and tap water. Then allow it to drain extra water. It will take 60 minutes to drain extra water.
Then use cloth and dry the leaves, after that use neem oil spray for further protection.
Yellow Turning Leaves
Too much bright light and overuse of water are the main cause of it. Move your plant to some shady place until it heals itself.
For overwatering, the only solution is repotting your plant in new soil. Also, check the roots for root rot. Use sharp shears to cut the decaying roots.
Use cinnamon powder and replant it in the new pot and new soil.
Do not use fungicides on roots if less than 20% of roots are infected. Because fungicides are harsh on houseplant roots.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Most of the time brown spots are the result of bacterial infection. Wet leaves and warm environments both invite this problem.
This is the reason I never recommend spraying water on plant leaves even in low humidity.
Because most of the time growers forget to dry leaves with a cloth.
To save your plant and to kill fungal bacteria. You must use commercial fungicides, home remedies like cinnamon powder and others will not work in this case.
In my experience, copper-based fungicides are best to use for bacterial leaf disease.
Leggy Stem and Loss of Variegation
Both problems are linked to the intensity of light. Silver Cloud Philodendron needs bright light to make its food.
In the absence of an adequate amount of light. Philodendrons naturally stretch their growth toward the source of light.
In order to absorb as much as light they can.
They grow long stems and fewer leaves in small sizes. Also, the leaves slowly lose their silvery patches.
And new leaves grow dark green with variegation.
To heal both conditions, move your plant to a brighter place or use grow lights.
It will take more than 20 days to heal properly.
Conclusion
Philodendron Mamei or Silver Cloud Philodendron plant is a beautiful foliage houseplant from the philodendron genus.
It is easy to maintain its health and propagate.
General home humidity and normal temperature are perfect for it. Just take care of the water and use excellent potting soil.
For more information on philodendrons visit our houseplant section.
