Philodendron Royal Queen Care: Darkest Aroid

Philodendron Royal Queen is a less expensive rare houseplant. It changes its leaves color 3 times in its lifespan. This feature makes it unique from other philodendrons.

Today you’ll learn how to grow and care for Royal Queen Philodendron, how to propagate it, and fertilize it.

Generally, it needs moderate light, occasional fertilizers, regular water, and high humidity to live. You can easily arrange all these growing conditions in your home. Using neem oil spray is essential for pest protection.

What is Philodendron Royal Queen?

It is the darkest aroid in the Araceae family of plants. In the initial stage, it grows burgundy leaves. Then its leaves turn black after some months.

But the interesting part is matured Philo royal queen grows glossy shining green leaves.

It is a hybrid plant and has the genes of many philodendrons. This is the reason it changes the color of its leaves so frequently.

Hybrid Philodendrons are always easy to grow even for newbies. These plants easily adjust their needs according to the environment.

For example, if you place it in a hot environment where the temperature stays above 80 degrees F. In this case, your Roya queen will demand more water.

Whereas between 55 to 70 degrees F, it needs moderate water.

Growth Size:

In a normal environment, it grows 7 to 8 feet long. The only condition is you must give it some support to climb. I am using a moss pole and my Royal Queen philodendron is 6 feet tall with large size leaves.

Right now, it has 70% black leaves and 30% leaves are half black and half burgundy.

This philodendron does not produce flowers or fragrances. Which is a good thing. Because philodendrons are known for foliage, not for flowers.

How to Care for Philodendron Royal Queen?

Royal Queen is not picky about its growing needs. It can adjust its needs according to the grower’s experience.

Below is the complete guide to help you grow it successfully.

Light Needs of Philodendron Royal Queen

Dappled light is recommended for its good health. Don’t assume that its leaves don’t have enough chlorophyll pigment because they are burgundy and black.

Right under the top surface, its leaves have a thick layer of chlorophyll pigment.

Royal queen leaves are able to absorb a good amount of light for photosynthesis in a few hours.

300 FC is the perfect amount of light that it needs.

My plant is 3 feet from the sunny window and it enjoys indirect bright light for 7 to 8 hours per day.

Potting Soil

Organically rich lightweight soil is best to use for growing Philo Royal Queen Plants. I am using equal parts of potting soil, Perlite, Peat, Compost, or Vermiculite.

I prefer vermiculite over compost. But if you don’t have it, you can use compost just make sure it is disease free.

This soil formula is fast-draining that helps to save your plant from overwatering—waterlogged soil results in root rot.

Because it has a soft root ball it a very hard to save it from dying due to root fungus.

Therefore, use quick draining soil formula and mix some healthy ingredients. Like in my formula compost and vermiculite give a good amount of nutrients to the growing plant.

This helps it to grow healthy and fast.

Watering Philodendron Royal Queen

This is the tricky part for new growers. Royal Queen plant needs moist soil for 365 days a year. But it is also prone to root rot.

We all know that root rot is a result of the overuse of water.

So, to prevent this problem you must use a soil moisture meter. Insert its probes in the soil and it will tell you how much water is your plant required.

I use an inexpensive Three Way Meter. It also tells us the pH of the soil and the amount of light a plant is receiving.

You can also check the soil moisture by poking your finger in it. Water your plant if the top 2 inches of the soil are dry.

Bottom water your plant or pour water on the soil with a can. These 2 methods are perfectly fine for watering philodendrons.

Only use filtered water at room temperature. Some people suggest Luke warm water. But believe me, it will only increase the problems.

Warm water is harmful to plant roots. They need normal-temperature water for absorption.

Temperature

Normal home temperature is good for this philodendron. Just make sure your plant stays warm in cold weather.

It is not a frost-resistant plant so bring it indoors if you are growing it outdoors.

Always keep the room temperature above 55 degrees F. To keep eye on grow room temperature install a room thermometer.

Below 50 degrees F the water stored in its leave and stems starts freezing. This develops dark spots on its leaves.

Whereas above 85 degrees F is considered too warm and invites many bacterial diseases. Because warm weather and high humidity invite bacterial diseases.

Humidity

High humidity is important for philodendrons. Philo Royal Queen needs humidity between 50% to 75 %.

This is the comfortable air moisture level for plants and humans.

Measure it with a hygrometer and adjust if it is low.

Ways to Increase home humidity:

Pebble tray:

Take a terracotta tray, fill it with water and add some small rocks. Place it under your plant pot. Make sure the water level of the tray is below the bottom plate of a plant pot.

The dry air evaporates the water of the tray.

This process of evaporation adds nice moisture to the air for some time. Add more water when you see the tray water is almost evaporated.

Humidifier:

A humidifier is a permanent solution to low humidity. Move your plant to a single room and turn it ON. This is a simple and easy way.

There are many humidifiers in the market that consume less electric power. Nowadays we have special humidifiers for plants. They are called portable plant humidifiers.

Toxicity

Parts of this philodendron are toxic to humans and animals. Only ingestion results in toxicity. Skin redness, irritation, stomach pain, and sore throat are a few of its common toxic symptoms.

Immediately call the poison control center.

Pruning

It is an essential part of houseplant care and maintenance. In this process, we cut the infected and dead parts of our philodendrons.

Royal Queen Philodendrons grow large size multiple leaves per stem. A little bit of negligence in care can result in dry and yellow leaves.

Trim these dead parts and save your plant from dying.

Also, to prevent other diseases use a damp cloth and wipe its leaves. This way you can keep your plant leaves dust free without damaging them.

Fertilizing Philodendron Royal Queen

Fertilizers are essential for this philodendron. It grows tall and produces large size leaves. So, it needs lots of nutrients for maintenance and new growth.

Only adding compost or vermiculite is not enough. You must use liquid synthetic fertilizers separately.

General-purpose houseplant fertilizer is the best form of nutrient that you can use.

To prevent fertilizer burn, dilute the solution in clean filtered water. Gently pour on the soil, and follow the instructions.

Keep in mind that concentrated solution can burn the roots. It will not improve the appearance and growth of your plant.

Repotting Philodendron Royal Queen

For repotting your plant, you need a new large-size plant container. We only repot those plants that feel uncomfortable in their pots. Because after some time the plant pots become small for the plants.

To check the repotting signs, look under the plant pot. If the roots are sneaking out of the drainage hole this confirms the repotting need.

Repotting Steps:

• Water your plant a day before repotting.
• Tap on all sides of the pot and tilt it to one side.
• Use your fingers to lose the soil and pull your plant out of its pot.
• Remove soil from the roots and put on a newspaper.
• Add some fresh soil to a new pot and plant your philodendron in it.
• Give some water and place it in its location.

Philodendron Royal Queen Propagation

Stem cutting is the only successful method in my experience. I tried air layering but failed.

Stem Cutting Propagation:

• Check your plant and choose a healthy stem with shining glossy leaves.
• Cut 6 inches long stems and make a clean cut 1 inch below the leaf node.
• Place cuttings on newspaper and take a glass of clean water.
• Apply rooting hormone on the edge and place it in a glass of water.
• Place the glass jar in a warm place in indirect bright light.
• Change the water when it gets unclear.
• Within 20 days you’ll see new roots.
• Transfer it to the potting soil when the new roots grow 1 inch long.

Troubleshooting

Pest Attacks

Pests are not common on Royal Queen Philodendrons. They only infect unhygienic plants. Check the undersides of leaves for pest attacks.

If they are present then use pest-killing sop and rinse your plant.

Do not use commercial high-power pest-killing sprays. Royal Queen Philo cannot handle harsh chemicals.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves mean the plant soil is holding more than enough water. The only solution to yellow leaves is repotting your plant in new soil.

Before repotting it cut the yellow leaves with sterilized shears.

Then pull it out and inspect the roots. Wash roots with clean water and cut the damaged and decaying roots.

At once you can cut 50% of the root ball. Apply copper fungicide on roots before repotting in new soil.

Add some water to add moisture to the new soil.

Place it in bright light for some days and if possible, expose it to morning sunlight from 8 am to 10 am.

Brown leaf tips

Dehydration pushes leaf tips to turn dry and crispy. If the soil is dry and plant leaves have dry tips. Then immediately give enough water to your plant.

In this condition bottom watering is the safe method.

Fill a tub of water and place your plant pot in it. Let it absorb water from the bottom holes. This way you can quickly send water to plant roots.

After 15 minutes take it out of the water tub and allow it to drain extra water.

Small Size Leaves

If the stems are long but do not have enough leaves, this indicates there is a light issue with your plant.

Lack of light pushes plants to grow long stems towards the light source.

This way plant tries to full fill their light needs.

To heal your plant move it to bright light. Make sure it is getting 300 FC of light for 6 to 7 hours per day.

It will take 15 days to heal properly.

Conclusion

Philodendron Royal Queen is a beginner’s plant. It needs regular care like other philodendrons. Use neem oil spray to prevent pests and fungal diseases.

High humidity and moderate watering are secrets to success.