If you are searching for easy to grow philodendron plant. You must choose Philodendron Tenue. It grows beautiful green leaves.
The best part is it needs less care than many other philodendron plants.
Add it to your indoor plant collection to increase the number of easy-to-grow foliage plants.
Tenue Philodendron needs moderate watering and light fertilizers. In tropical regions, it enjoys very high humidity. Bright light encourages healthy growth and long-size leaves. Maintain constant temperature to prevent temperature shock. Neem oil is beneficial to prevent many fungal and pest infestations.
What is Philodendron Tenue?
Every Philodendron Tenue plant grows differently in size and shape of its leaves. You cannot predict the size of its leaves and overall height.
It produces dark green leaves and grows 3 to 4 feet tall under ideal growing conditions.
The long arrow-shaped leaves are velvety and glossy. If you move your plant to bright light then it will grow beautiful lime-green leaves.
It grows white flowers but only when you fertilize it properly and take care of room humidity.
Other Names:
- Philodendron Ecuadorense
- Philodendron Tenum
- Philodendron Sodiroanum
My Philodendron Tenue is growing in the living room.
I don’t have a sunny window for my plant. So, I decided to use grow light to full dill its light needs.
I am using 300 watts mars hydro grow light. It is less expensive than other brands and has 100,000 hours of life.
P. Tenue has good air-purifying properties and this is the reason it is in my living space.
Philodendron Tenue Growing Guide:
Light Needs
To know about its light needs we need to look into its natural habitat. In tropical jungles, Philodendron Tenue grows as a climber plant.
Due to the dense canopy of large trees, only a limited amount of sunlight strikes the ground.
This is the reason plants like philodendrons are climbers. They climb against other trees to absorb as much as light is possible for them.
You need to mimic the same light conditions.
To do so install a sheer curtain on your sunny window and place your plant near it.
This way the direct sunlight gets filtered by the curtain and your plant gets almost the same amount of light as in the jungle.
This technique mimics the jungle-like light conditions and encourages Tenue Philodendron to grow tall and dense.
In case there is no sunny window then you take the help of grow lights.
LED grow light is best to use for philodendron plants. Because they need the full spectrum of light and cannot tolerate high temperatures.
LEDs emit a full spectrum of light waves and do not dissipate heat energy like HPS grow lights.
In short indirect bright is what it needs for 6 to 8 hours to grow healthy and disease-free.
The good news is you can use the same power Grow light to grow other Philodendrons like:
Type of Potting Soil
The first thing that you need to look for is fast-draining quality in the potting soil. Because this philodendron is prone to root rot if the potting soil does not drain well.
So quick draining soil is the first priority. The second thing is soil must be loose and aerated. Most of the potting mixes get heavy and waterlogged after watering.
This increases the chances of suffocated roots.
We need a soil mix that is fluffy and does not close its air pockets even after watering.
In my experience you need soil that has below 4 ingredients in it:
- Coco Coir
- Perlite
- Orchid Bark
- Compost or charcoal
If there is coco coir then no need to add peat to the soil mix.
Watering Philodendron Tenue
As we know the problem with Tenue Philodendron is root rot. Overwatering is the main cause of the problem.
This means we need to make some adjustments in our watering technique to prevent root fungus.
The first step is not to make any watering routine for this plant. Always check whether it needs water or it has sufficient moisture in the soil.
This technique helps you to grow a healthy plant without worrying about overwatering.
I always check the soil and if the top half of the soil is dry, I immediately grab the watering can and water my plant.
This is a safe watering practice.
The second most important thing that helps to prevent root rot is a plant pot with drainage holes.
The small holes in the bottom plate of plant pots allow extra water to drain out of the pot. This mechanism of the latest pots saves the life of indoor plants.
Comfortable Temperature for Philodendron Tenue
If you just want to know the survival temperature range of Tenue then it is between 50 to 90 Degrees F.
But we do not grow plants for their survival, we need them to grow and thrive like crazy.
This is possible with ideal temperature and this range is 60 to 90 Degrees F. keep the room temperature above 60 F if you want your plant to grow extraordinary leaves and good overall growth.
Tropical rainforests have warm weather throughout the year.
You need to maintain the same indoors. You should use a thermometer to monitor the grow room temperature in the winter season.
In low temperatures move your plant to a warm place or use heat mats or cover your plant pot with a warm cloth.
Do not place it near the heat vents because the artificial hot air results in a dehydrated philodendron plant.
Dehydration is a tough problem to treat in the winter season.
Humidity
50% humidity is enough for it, don’t try to increase your home humidity like in tropical rainforests. High humidity is not good for your furniture and electric appliances.
When P. Tenue can survive in moderate humidity like White Knight Philodendron then why increase it blindly?
If the humidity level is lower than 50% then you need to work extra to increase it. The Pebble tray method is a less expensive method of improving humidity for a particular plant.
Take a pebble tray, fill it with water and place it under your plant pot. The evaporating water makes a humidity balloon around your plant.
This method only works when there is a slight drop in air moisture from 4% to 7%.
For strong help, you need to use a humidifier. Collect all your plant in a room and turn ON the humidifier.
This way all your plants get the advantage of a humidifier.
Do not mist water on its leaves. The extra drops of water on Tenue Philodendron leaves leads to bacterial leaf spot.
Fertilizing
Fertilization is a must to keep this plant healthy. But if you are using pre-fertilized soil then no need to fertilize it.
To reduce my fertilizer expense, I always add a few ounces of compost. This organic-rich nutrient powder gives a sufficient health boost to plants.
Moreover, fertilizers are expensive and compost is way cheaper.
Supplement this plant only in spring and summer. Use any liquid fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. Do not use blooming fertilizers that are different.
Use foliage fertilizer with a good percentage of Nitrogen in the formula.
Dilute the concentrated nutrient solution in water and pour. After fertilizing take a dry cloth and wipe its leaves.
I am using Miracle-Gro houseplant fertilizer for this plant and Philodendron Atabapoense.
Pruning
As I mentioned it is a climber philodendron plant. This means it is a fast grower, which means it needs frequent pruning.
For trimming its parts sterilize your tools before using them.
Sterilization with rubbing alcohol prevents the chances of bacterial infection.
Remove dead leaves and trim yellow and brown leaf tips. Use a clean and soft cloth to remove dust from its leaves.
It is important to maintain hygiene.
Repotting Philodendron Tenue
Once a year is the perfect repotting schedule for P. Tenue. This put new life in the plant. Use 2 inches deeper and wider pot for repotting.
Repotting steps are similar to Split Leaf Philodendron.
- Water your plant 24 hours before repotting.
- Tilt the pot and take out the soil as much as you can without damaging the plant roots.
- Take out the plant and remove soil from its roots.
- Check the roots for signs of any infection, cut the infected part, and apply cinnamon.
- Fill the new pot with fresh soil and plant it in a new pot.
- Tap around the plant and pour some water for moisture.
- Place it back in its place and you are done with repotting Tenue Philodendron.
For the first few days, you may see some weakness in your plant. This is a temporary effect of repotting and is called repotting stress.
Within 4 to 5 days, it will regain good health.
Toxicity
It contains a toxic substance called calcium oxalate. All parts of this plant have this toxic substance. Ingestion of leaves or stems results in toxicity.
So, keep it away from the reach of your pets and children.
Wear gloves while repotting or propagating your plant. Coming in contact with the sap can cause skin redness or irritation.
Sensitive skin people should take proper precautions while working on this plant.
Call the doctor for help in case of toxicity.
Philodendron Tenue Propagation
Two propagating techniques are the most successful. Choose any that is easy for you.
Air-Layering Propagation Method:
- Choose a healthy stem with 2 or more leaf nodes. Nodes are necessary for this method.
- Take a wet moss and wrap it around the nodes.
- Use plastic wrap and warp around the moss, do not close the top and bottom of the wrap.
- Use a spray bottle and spray water from the top to keep the moss moist.
- After 2 weeks you will surely see new roots coming out of the open bottom of plastic wrap.
- At this time open the wrap remove the moss and cut under the roots.
- Transfer the stem to the potting soil.
- Follow the normal care routine.
Stem Propagation:
- Select a healthy stem with few leaves and a healthy green node.
- Make a clean cut just below the leaf node.
- Remove the bottom leaves, 1 or 2 leaves are enough for propagation.
- Apply rooting hormone at the edge.
- Take a jar of clean water and sip the stem in it.
- Store the jar in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
- Regularly change the water.
- Within 2 weeks you will see new roots.
- Transfer it to potting soil when the new roots grow more than 1 inch long.
- Propagation is complete.
Troubleshooting
It is common to face some growing problems with philodendron plants. Because we are growing them away from their Natural home. Sometimes lack of gardening skills results in many problems.
Some of the common Philodendron Tenue problems are listed below with solutions.
Pest Infestations
Aphids, Spider Mites, and Mealybugs are the pests that are common with houseplants. They make holes in the plant leaves to suck the plant glucose.
As a result, the plant goes out of nutrients and dies in a few days.
Once you see pests on your plant the first step is to move it to a separate place away from other healthy plants.
Then use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol and wipe each leaf carefully.
This will kill all types of pests. But if they are present in large colonies and are all over the plant.
Then the only solution is to use insecticidal spray soap and rinse your plant.
This will kill them instantly and also make your plant weak for some days. Keep it in a separate place until you see new healthy growth.
Remove the highly infected and damaged leaves before rinsing your plant.
This saves lots of plant energy from being wasted.
Brown Leaves
This means there is very low moisture in the air and you also do not give sufficient water to it. Immediately move your plant to high humid place.
Give some water and wait until it heals.
Do not use a spray bottle or pebble tray technique. Your plant is damaged and you need a strong solution like a humidifier.
Or
You can place it in your bathroom for 1 or 2 days. Turn on the duct fan in the bathroom for good airflow.
Bacterial Leaf Disease
Dark circular spots on leaves are the result of Bacterial infection. Wet leaves for a prolonged time invite these fungal bacteria.
Sometimes the soil contains pathogens that climb up to the leaves and damage leaf tissues.
To treat bacterial leaf spots, you need to use fungicides. Home-made fungicides will not work. You need a quick-acting solution.
Use copper fungicides for better results. If all your plant leaves are infected and the stem also develops dark spots.
Then none of the spray and fungicides can save your plant.
To prevent this deadly disease do not mist water on its leaves and keep them clean and dust free.
Conclusion
Philodendron Tenue is easy to grow foliage plant. The arrow-shaped leaves need bright light and moderate fertilizers.
Water your plant after testing the soil moisture level.
Use fast-draining soil with some organic nutrients for the optimum health of your plant. for more information on houseplants visit our plant sections.
