Philodendron Subincisum is a large green leaf tropical houseplant. It grows beautiful heart-shaped green and lime-green leaves.
The velvety texture of its leaves makes it a rare variety.
It grows one leaf per stem and stems usually grow long enough. Mature leaf size is 2 to 2.5 feet long and 2 feet wide.
This evergreen climbing hemiepiphyte is naturally found in Mexico, California, and Texas. In some places, it is famous as Philodendron Wilsonii.
But this is not its real name, it is given by the garden stores.
While buying it from local garden stores make sure you choose the right plant.
How to Care for Philodendron Subincisum?
It needs filtered light with moderate watering, high humidity is required to keep its leaves glossy. The velvety texture of its leaves is a result of proper nutrition.
Below is the complete guide on it.
Light Needs
Philodendron Subincisum needs indirect bright light to grow. Because it grows large size leaves. It needs lots of food to grow.
The production of food is directly dependent on the amount of light it receives.
250 FC is the minimum amount of light that it needs to survive. And for perfect growth, it needs light between 280 FC to 400 FC.
You can take a help of a Light meter to find the best place for your Philodendron Subincisum.
When your plant grows big in size. You can move it to your outdoor garden. Choose a place under a large tree.
So that the direct sun rays cannot fall on its leaves.
Because sun rays are too intense for this plant and can burn its leaves.
Watering Philodendron Subincisum
There is no perfect time for watering your P. Subincisum. Because every plant has different watering requirements.
The watering needs directly depend on the temperature of the room, humidity, and season of the year.
A Soil moisture meter can help you to find the available moisture in the potting soil.
Insert the device legs in potting soil and check the reading. Then water your plant accordingly.
If you don’t have it then use your finger to check the soil moisture. If the top few inches of the potting soil are dry.
Then water your plant immediately.
For watering, use filtered water only. Because it does not contain unnecessary substances like chlorine and fluorides.
Both are commonly found in tap water. When you regularly use tap water for watering sessions.
These substances choke the roots and they stop working. This results in yellow leaves and weak plants.
Potting Soil
Philodendron Subincisum aka Wilsonii needs fast-draining soil with acidic nature. Mostly philodendrons need a pH between 6 to 6.5.
But this plant needs a pH between 5.3 to 6.1.
In my experience, it is best if you go for a ready-to-use aroid mix. Because to make general soil best for the plant.
You have to add a balanced quantity of charcoal with orchid barks. More or less a percentage of charcoal can disturb the soil formula.
Go online and check for the best aroid potting soil for houseplants.
Type of Plant Container
It is a large plant with big size leaves. So, you have to use a plant pot that is heavy such as a terracotta or ceramic pot.
Just make sure the pot your select has 1 or more holes in the bottom.
These holes are called draining holes. They are necessary to drain the extra water out of the pot.
This mechanism of advanced pots saves plants from overwatering and prevents root rot. Terracotta and ceramic both materials also increase the aeration in potting soil.
Temperature
To know about the ideal temperature, we need to look into its natural birthplace. It is a warm climate plant.
This means it needs a warm environment – temperature between 60 to 85 degrees F.
Temperature below 55 degrees F makes it unstable and affects its roots. In a cool climate, its roots lose 50% efficiency.
When roots lose 50% strength – this means less water and fewer nutrients available for the plant.
This results in weak and diseased-prone houseplants.
To prevent such conditions, make sure the grow room temperature stays within the recommended range.
Install a thermometer to keep an eye on room temperature.
Humidity
The ideal humidity range for this evergreen plant is between 60 % to 75%. But this is not possible to keep home humidity this high.
The good news is this philodendron can easily thrive in normal home humidity.
But for good health, you should keep the home humidity above 45% all the time.
To measure it, use a hygrometer and to increase it, use the pebble tray technique. If you do not have the budget for a plant humidifier.
Fill the tray with small rocks and add water, place it under the plant pot and you are done. Add water to the pebble tray regularly.
The second option is a plant humidifier. I think it is the best option for growers and is a one-time investment.
Low Humidity Signs:
- Yellow-turning leaves with brown tips
- Crispy brown leaves.
- Wrinkles on leaves
- Leaves reduce their size and become small.
Repotting
If you are already using a big size pot. Then you should wait for 2 years for the next repotting time. It is best to inspect the plant once in a month for repotting signs.
This way you can quickly catch the repotting need of your philodendron.
Always look under the pot. If you see growing roots out of the drainage holes. This means it is time to repotting it.
Spring and summer are the best time to do so.
Take a large size pot and a fresh bag of soil. Unpot your plant and remove the soil from its roots. If required you can wash the roots with filtered water.
Add soil to a new pot and place your plant in it. Don’t forget to water your newly repotted plant. This step is required to add enough moisture to the soil.
This also reduces the repotting shock.
Fertilizing Philodendron Wilsonii
Fertilizers are required to keep Wilsonii philodendron healthy and disease-free. Because nutrients make a plant’s immune system strong.
For feeding your plant, choose liquid fertilizers. They are less expensive and contain all essential nutrients.
Moreover, they are easy for roots to absorb from the soil and water.
These are fast-acting supplements and give instant results. On the other side organic nutrients are slow and are perfect for slow-growing plants.
If possible, add some compost to the potting soil. So, that your plant never goes out of nutrients.
To prevent fertilizer burn, use these supplements only in spring and summer. Read the instructions and dilute in fresh water.
Pruning
Indoor growing Philodendron Subincisum grows 7 to 9 feet tall. We all know large plants need pruning in spring and summer.
Trim its dead and yellow leaves in the spring season. Because then it can easily grow new parts. Use sterilized shears or a knife.
Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your trimming tools.
After pruning your plant use a damp cloth and clean its leaves. Also, clean the plant pot and its surroundings.
Then spray neem oil and you are done with trimming your plant.
Toxicity
Almost all philodendrons are toxic to humans and pets so is Philodendron Subincisum. The sap of this plant is toxic.
Ingestion of its parts results in toxicity.
Excessive drooling, stomach pain, skin redness, etc are common signs of toxicity.
Start wearing gloves while working on your plants. This will help you to prevent toxicity.
Philodendron Subincisum Propagation
The best way to propagate this philodendron is stem cutting. Cut a stem right under the leaf node. Take a glass of water and dip the cutting in it.
Make sure the leaves stay above the water level.
Store the glass in a warm and humid place, away from direct sunlight. Regularly change the water to keep it fresh.
Within 20 days, you will see new roots. Transfer the stem cutting to potting soil when the new roots grow more than 1 inch long.
Then follow the regular care routine and you are done with propagation.
Troubleshooting Philodendron Subincisum
Subincisum is a hardy plant but it is not disease-proof. There are a few common problems with this plant.
Below are the problems with the solution
Pest attacks
Sap-sucking houseplant pests are the common enemies of this philodendron. Unhygienic plants are prone to pest attacks.
To prevent pest infestation, keep your plant clean and spray neem oil on it.
But in case, you see tiny holes in your plant leaves. Immediately check the undersides of leaves. You will surely find small colonies of pests.
Use rubbing alcohol to wipe each leaf.
If the problem is served then use pest-killing soap and rinse your plant. The ingredients in the soap can kill them on the spot.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves mean there is more than enough water in the potting soil. Or there is no drainage system in the plant pot.
In short overuse of water is the cause of yellow leaves.
Because waterlogged soil leads to root rot. This fungus eats the roots hence your plant leaves turn yellow.
In this condition unpot your plant and cut the infected roots. Wash your plant pot with soap and warm water.
Use a fresh bag of soil and plant your philodendron back in its pot.
Add some water and you are done.
Wilting
Lack of nutrients results in wilting. Leaves will also lose their natural color and shine.
The second cause of wilting is lack of fresh air and humidity. In this condition, leaves will also shrink their size.
Increase the humidity and they will regain their healthy looks.
Conclusion
Philodendron Subincisum is an evergreen tropical plant. It needs bright light and moderate fertilizers. Normal home humidity is sufficient to keep it healthy and fresh.
Propagate it with the stem-cutting method. Moderate watering is the secret to success.
