Philodendron Sharoniae grows large size leaves. It is naturally found in tropical regions of Colombia. Sharoniae grows large leaves like an elephant ear plant.
It is a vine plant that grows under the canopy of large trees.
There it grows 30 to 36 inches long leaves. But in an indoor growing environment, its leaves stay small in size.
Changes in its natural growing environment directly impact its overall size and growth rate.
Below is the complete care guide that will help you to grow Sharoniae without facing problems. You’ll also find a troubleshooting section where we will discuss common problems and their solutions.
How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Sharoniae?
Light Needs
Philodendron Sharoniae needs bright indirect light to grow because the direct sunlight is too harsh for its leaves.
Direct sunshine can burn its leaves.
Yellow-turning leaves with brown tips are the first indication of too bright light.
An East facing sunny window is the best place for this plant. There it can get plenty of indirect bright light.
To protect your plant from highly intense sunlight, install shear curtains.
The good news is this plant can survive in low light. But then you will not see large leaves on your plant.
The next light option is artificial grow lights. Suppose the place you choose for your plant is a low-light place.
In this case to full fill its light needs. You can use a grow light. There are many types of plant lights in the market.
I have found LED grow lights highly efficient, durable, and less expensive with a long-life span.
Potting Soil
Use a well-draining potting soil to grow a philodendron Sharoniae plant. Don’t use ordinary soil because it becomes muddy after the watering session.
Your plant needs good aeration and lightweight soil.
There are many general-purpose potting mixes available that contain perlite and peat moss.
These two ingredients are essential in the soil formula. Because perlite has the ability to hold enough moisture for plants.
Peat moss makes the soil lightweight and also increases the aeration. This prevents root rot and bacterial diseases.
If you like to make potting soil yourself then mix the following ingredients.
General potting mix 60% + 20 % perlite + 20% orchid bark.
Watering Philodendron Sharoniae
Water your plant after inspecting the soil moisture. This way you can prevent overwatering, root rot, and dehydration.
The basic method of checking the soil moisture is to poke your finger in the soil or insert a pencil.
Water your plant only if the top 2 inches are dry.
If you find this method is not suitable for you. Then the best option will be a soil moisture testing meter.
This device tells us about the soil moisture and pH of the soil. It is inexpensive and is a one-time investment.
Bottom water or top water does not make any difference. Both methods are equally effective. Choose any which is convenient for you.
Ideal Temperature
The ideal temperature range for Sharoniae philodendron is 60 to 78 degrees F, below 55 degrees F results in cold injury.
To keep your plant warm in cold weather, place a thick mat under it. Use a heat mat or simply shift your plant to a warm room.
In hot weather move your plant to a shady place. Also, make sure it is protected from hot air flow.
Because in hot weather plants use more water than on normal days. This increases the moisture needed and watering sessions.
Which leads to a higher transpiration rate.
Humidity
On low humid days (below 45%) mist water on sharoniae leaves. Don’t spray too much water because warm weather and wet leaves result in bacterial leaf spots.
This is a fungal disease that can kill your plant.
Another solution is the pebble tray method. Fill it with clean water and add some small rocks. Place the plant pot over it and you are done.
The third option is a plant humidifier. It is a device that is specially designed for houseplants. Place it next to your plants and turn it ON.
Fertilizing Philodendron Sharoniae
Fertilize Sharoniae once in 20 days in spring and summer. These are the active seasons and philodendrons grow rapidly.
To grow the leaves and stems it needs lots of nutrients, especially NPK. The ratio of NPK in a plant supplement directly impacts its overall size and growth rate.
I prefer balanced fertilizer supplements with a little bit extra percentage of nitrogen.
To prevent fertilizer burn you should dilute the solution to its half strength.
Also, stop feeding your plant in the winter season. Because the cold season is the dormancy time and plants take rest in this season.
Pruning
This step is necessary to maintain a houseplant. As you know this philodendron grows large elephant ear size leaves.
It is essential to keep it clean and trim the overgrowth and dead parts.
Doing so encourages the plant to grow more new leaves. This way you will have more leaves on your plant.
Pruning also helps to prevent diseases and pests. After trimming use a damp soft cloth and wipe its leaves, remove dust, and clean the plant pot.
This step is necessary if you don’t want to deal with common houseplant pests.
Repotting
Repotting helps your plant to grow better and large. After some months roots grow large and the pot becomes small for them.
If you do not change the pot the plant will stop growing further.
Following are the repotting signs:
- Roots are visible over the soil surface.
- Roots poking out of the drainage holes.
Water your plant a day before repotting. This will lose the soil and make repotting easy for you. Gently unpot your plant and remove soil from the roots.
If required wash the roots with clean water. Use a sterilized knife and cut the damaged roots. Do not untangle them this is harmful to roots.
Take a new pot 2 inches large than the old container. Add fresh soil and plant your sharoniae in it. Add some fresh water and place it back in its place.
For the first week, you may see some weakness in your plant. This is normal and is called repotting stress. This will go away in 7 to 8 days.
Philodendron Sharoniae Propagation
You can propagate Sharoniae with 2 methods one is stem cutting propagation and the second seed propagation. The second method is hard for beginners and has a lower success rate.
The stem-cutting technique is best for propagating all types of philodendrons.
Below is the step-by-step Process:
- Identify a healthy stem with healthy shining leaves. Then use a sharp and sterilized knife and cut a piece of stem at least 4 to 6 inches long.
- Remove the bottom leaves. We only need 1 or 2 top leaves in the propagation process.
- Dip the cutting in the rooting hormone. Take a glass jar and fill it with fresh water.
- Place the stem cutting in it and ensure the leaves do not submerge in the water.
- Store the glass in a warm and humid place. Regularly change the water to avoid algae build-up.
- Within a few days, you will see new white roots. Once they grow 1 inch long transfer the cutting to potting soil.
- After the transfer follow regular care and give it a light amount of fertilizer.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Sharoniae
Every plant owner faces some problems when growing indoor plants. Below are the common problems with Sharoniae philodendron with solutions and prevention.
1. Pest Infestation
Aphids, Mealybugs, and Spider mites are common on houseplants. These tiny insects suck the juice of the plant.
As a result, your plant becomes weak and dies in a few days. To identify pests, check the leaves of your philodendrons.
If there are tiny holes in the leaves this means your plant is infected. Immediately check the undersides of the leaves.
Treatment
Rinse your plant with clean water if there are a few pests. The second option is to use rubbing alcohol and wipe each leaf.
If the pests are present on all leaves.
The third option is to use pest-killing liquid and wash your plant. this will kill all types of pests in just seconds. Insect-killing soaps are safe to use on houseplants.
Prevention
To prevent pests regularly clean your plant leaves with a damp and soft cloth. Also, keep the surroundings neat and clean.
Do not place your plant close to the infected houseplant.
Use sterilized soil if you are growing to use garden soil with other ingredients. Or simply use the commercial ready-to-use potting mix.
2. Yellow Leaves
Yellow turning leaves of philodendrons indicate root rot. And root rot is a fungus that attacks the roots and eats them.
If your plant has yellow leaves, waterlogged soil and it smells like rotten eggs.
This indicates 100% infected roots.
Treatment
Immediately unpot your plant and remove soil from its roots. Use sterilized tools and cut the infected roots.
Take a new pot and a fresh bag of potting soil.
Add new soil to the new pot and plant your philodendron in it. Fill the remaining pot with soil and tap around the plant.
Give it a little bit of water.
Prevention
Overwatering is the main cause of it. To prevent root rot just check the soil moisture every time you water your plant.
You can poke your finger in the soil or use a soil moisture meter for it.
3. Dry Brown Leaves
Dry leaves indicate a lack of water in the soil and a lack of moisture in the air.
Once you see brown crispy leaves immediately check the soil conditions. You will surely see small cracks in the potting soil.
These are made when the soil loses its moisture.
Quickly water your plant and wait for some days to see new growth. Cut the totally infected leaves.
4. Black Dots on Leaves and stems
The presence of fungal bacteria on leaves causes dark spots. This disease is called bacterial leaf spot. These spots are caused by bacteria.
The only treatment is a copper fungicide. Use mild fungicide and apply it all over the plant. Dark spots on stems are also a result of a fungus.
To prevent this disease, keep your plant hygienic and dust free. Do not mist too much water on low-humid days.
Conclusion
Philodendron Sharoniae is an easy-to-maintain plant for all levels of growers. Expose it to bright light and fertilize it occasionally.
Keep the plant and its pot clean to prevent insects and houseplant diseases.
Use neem oil for extra protection.
