Split leaf philodendron is a tropical plant with large glossy split leaves. It is more popular in the USA than the monstera plants. Most people get confused between Split leaf philodendrons and monstera. In this post, we will explain the Split leaf philodendron care needs, propagation, and difference between monstera and split leaf.
If you are a beginner and want to grow a beautiful plant. Then split leaf is for you, it can survive in hard conditions. Without wasting time let’s start the Split leaf philodendron care journey.
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Good Products at Amazon for Split Leaf Philodendron
- Buy Split Leaf Philodendron
- Inexpensive Grow lights for growing Split Leaf Philodendron
- Best Perlite
- Miracle Grow Potting Mix
What is Split leaf philodendron?
It is a plant native to Bolivia and Brazil. Their people grow it for its sweet berries. These berries have some medicinal properties. But in the US we grow it for its beautiful long split leaves. Split philodendron is a member of the Araceae family.
It is also known by other common names like Arun pinnatifidum, and Philodendron bipinnatifidum.
In best-growing conditions, the plant grows 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The leaves can grow 2 to 3 feet long. But when you grow it in containers it grows in a limited size.
Common varieties of Split leaf philodendron
Hundreds of varieties are present in the market some of them are naturally found. Whereas others are hybrid and derived from cross-breeding different plant genes.
There are 3 common varieties that are most favorite of American growers
Gold Satin: It produces yellow color leaves
Lime Fiddle: Bright variegated leaves
Little Crunchy: It produces thick leaves
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How Split leaf philodendron is different from Monstera?
Most garden stores in the USA sell monstera deliciosa aka swiss cheese plant the name of Split leaf philodendron. But this is cheating on buyers. If you are going to buy a Split leaf philodendron. You should know the difference between them.
Monstera: This plant produce leaves the same as Split leaf philodendron. But there is one difference that is monstera leaves have holes in them. Like we have holes in the swiss cheese.
Split philodendron: It also has split leaves but does not have holes in them.
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How to grow Cut leaf philodendron?
First of all, you need to buy the real Cut leaf philodendron plant from the local nursery. At the time of buying look for the infected signs. Check the plant closely and if you see any pest or signs of plant disease reject it and choose another plant.
Then prepare the place for your plant. Decide the best place for your plant where it can get light and fresh air.
Then choose the plant pot with a draining hole
Choose the high-quality lightweight potting mix to grow it.
All the points are explained in the below sections.
Best Split leaf philodendron care guide
Follow the below part to take care of your growing Split leaf philodendron.
Light requirements
Like other plants of its family, it needs bright indirect light. So, place the plant pot near the sunny window. Make sure the direct sunrays cannot fall on the plant. Adjust the place of the plant pot to save it from direct falling sun rays.
The east-facing window will be the best option. But if you do not have a sunny window. Use grow lights for growing Split leaf philodendron. They emit light similar to the sun. Plants do not care about the source of light. They just need it to make chlorophyll and then their food from it.
Choose energy-efficient low maintenance grow lights. Install it 2 feet above the plant.
I use LED grow lights for growing plants at my home. I also have a grow tent to grow vegetables and secret plants.
Potting Soil
The potting soil rich in nutrients with excellent draining capacity is perfect for Split leaf philodendron care.
If possible, use soil that is rich in organic material. Peat-based soil will work great for Split leaf philodendron care.
Those who know how to make soil at home should use the following three ingredients in equal amounts.
- Perlite
- Peat-moss
- Miracle grow potting mix
This recipe is used for many years to grow houseplants.
Soil is an important part of growing plants. But unfortunately, most new growers do not think soil is important. They believe that water and fertilizers can grow their plant.
But the real truth is if you do not have the correct soil according to the plant. None of the fertilizers will work on your plant.
Watering cut leaf philodendron
Watering is a crucial part of for caring a leaf-split plant. Use fresh water for watering philodendron Split leaf. Check the soil moisture before watering the plants. Use a soil moisture meter to measure the amount of water in the soil.
Water your plants when the top 2 inches of the soil become dry. This way you can save your plants from overwatering. Because excessive watering is linked to root rot. This is a disease that eats the roots of plants.
In the summer season, it needs more than the winter days.
Temperature & humidity
18 to 27 degrees C is the best temperature range for Split leaf philodendron care. This is the normal range of every American house. So, you do not need to worry about the room temperature of the grow room.
This is a warm-season crop it cannot handle low temperature. Move the plant pot to a warm location when the temperature drops below 15 degrees C. Outdoor plants will not survive in cold weather and there is no method available to save them.
As long as humidity is concerned 40% humidity is best for keeping it thriving. Many times, growers put the plant in humidity above 60%. This will create many problems for them. The plant leaves start turning brown. The brown leaf tips are the first sign of extra moisture.
If your home humidity is less than 40%. Then you need to group the plants together to increase them. You can also use the pebble tray method if the humidity is too low. For instant humid boost use an electric plant humidifier.
Keep it on 40% and within 5 minutes you will notice the change in the room humidity. Low humidity also causes brown leaves. In this condition, the entire leaf starts turning brown at once.
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Fertilize Split leaf philodendron
For best Split leaf philodendron care give it some kind of liquid-balanced fertilizers. Fertilize your plant from spring to fall depending on the strength of the nutrient liquid. If you will use organic fertilizer then you will need to use it less often. Because plants take time to break down organic material.
Whereas synthetic fertilizers are easily available for plants.
If everything is good but your plant shows yellow leaves. This means it needs a nutrient boost. Pour some liquid into a jug and follow the instructions written on the bottle. Dilute it accordingly and then pour water into the plant roots.
Do not mist nutrient solution on plant leaves this burn the leaves in a few days.
Once the leaves get burnt due to over-fertilization you cannot make them green again. Repotting the plant in new soil is the only option to save it from dying. Therefore, use fertilizers carefully.
Split leaf philodendron pruning
Use a pair of sterilized shears to cut the infected parts of the plant. You can also trim it to keep it in good shape. Pruning is a technique that we use to save our plants from infections.
Let’s say one stem of the plant gets infected by the deadly disease. Then you need to cut it to save other healthy stems. This simple procedure is called the pruning of houseplants.
Propagation
You can grow this plant in two ways
Seed propagation
Sow the seeds in the seed starting tray and mist water.
Use high-quality potting mix
Keep the temperature of the room between 18 to 27 degrees C.
Cover the tray with a plastic cover to increase the humidity
Once the seeds become seedlings transfer them to their final pot.
Propagation of Split leaf philodendron by stem cutting
Spring is the best time for propagation
Cut the stem just above the node
Plant the cutting in the potting soil
Mist some water
Keep the pot in a warm and humid place
The cutting will develop roots in 15 days.
Common problems with split leaf
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are the result of 3 common things Overwatering, low light, lack of nutrients in potting soil. Now you need to identify what causes your Split leaf philodendron foliage to yellow.
If the light is the issue place it on a bright light, for overwatering repot it again in the same pot by using fresh soil. For nutrient deficiencies use nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Brown leaves
Infected roots are the cause of brown leaves. But root infection is only possible if the soil has fungus bacteria. Or you overwatered your plants. If you use garden soil then definitely it is the cause. Change your soil and use commercial-grade potting soil.
Also, stop watering the plants if you use well-draining soil but it is wet. Take out the plant and let the soil dry or use new soil. Then put it back in the plant container.
This is all about Split leaf philodendron care methods, follow them to grow healthy plants.
