Add a touch of tropical hues to your home with the stunning Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’. Get an extensive care guide below!
With its stunning variegated green leaves spotted with creamy yellow flecks, Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ is a true showstopper. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or new to indoor gardening, this Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ Care Guide has your back!
- Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens ‘Painted Lady’
- Prized for mottled green and yellow variegation with red petioles
- Reaches a handsome height of 3-5 feet
- Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight
- Toxic to pets
Learn about Growing an Indoor Blushing Philodendron here
Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ Plant Profile
Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ is a stunning tropical plant that adds a touch of color to any indoor space. Standing at a graceful height of up to 3-5 feet, this magnificent species features leaves that are intricately marbled with shades of lemon green and yellow, while the exotic red petiole steals the show. Emerging with a bright yellow-green shade, the foliage fades to a darker green hue with maturity.
With its petite stature and vibrant appearance, the Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ is the perfect addition to any houseplant collection, bringing a touch of the jungle to your home.
Ideal Pot Size
Get a pot that is one size bigger than the root ball of the plant. Ideally, a 4-6 inches pot is a good option for Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’. You may repot it to a one-size bigger container once you see the roots coming out of the drainage holes.
Although an unglazed clay pot is ideal for maintaining the proper soil moisture, you can also opt for glossy ceramics or metal containers with enough drainage holes to multiply the beauty of your plant.
Propagating Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’
Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ can easily be multiplied via stem cuttings. The detailed steps are as follows:
- Get a healthy, disease-free plant and snip a stem that is at least 6 inches long using sharp, sterile clippers. Make the cut just below a node.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into the rooting hormone to promote root growth and brush off the excess.
- Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix, such as perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent water from standing in the bottom.
- Plant the cutting into the medium, ensuring the cut end is buried about 1 inch deep.
- Water well and place the pot at a location with bright, indirect sunlight.
After about 4-6 weeks, you’ll notice new growth. At this point, let the medium dry out a bit between waterings and let the plant thrive in its suitable environment.
Requirements for Growing Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’
Light
The Philodendron erubescens ‘Painted Lady’ prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some low light levels as well. However, extremely shady locations will fade their vibrant hues, stunting plant growth, while intense sunlight will scorch the leaf edges.
A bright spot near the Northern or Eastern windows or in your well-lit drawing room can be the plant’s happy place.
Soil
The Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ needs a well-draining potting mix to thrive. A combination of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite can be the plant’s best friend with the perfect balance of water retention and drainage. You may also amend a typical aroid medium with plenty of coarse matter to create a well-aerated medium for the plant.
Water
The Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. It is important to avoid letting the soil become too dry, as this can cause the leaves to wilt. Follow a deep watering session once a week, letting the excess water seep out of the drainage holes from the bottom. Allow the top two inches of the medium to dry out in between the watering sessions to avoid water logging.
Temperature & Humidity
This gorgeous houseplant prefers temperatures between 65 and 75°F (18-26 C). If the temperature falls below 50°F or 10C, the plant may go into shock and start losing its foliage. The plant is sensitive to cold temperatures and may die if exposed to temperatures below the minimum point. In such a case, expose the plant to room heaters or nurture it inside an indoor greenhouse.
Being a houseplant, it prefers moderate humidity levels, between 40-60%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves may become dry and brittle. To increase the humidity around the plant, you can mist the leaves regularly or place a pebble tray near it.
Philodendron ‘Painted Lady’ Plant Care
Fertilizer
The Philodendron Painted Lady should be fertilized every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer after diluting to half its recommended strength. Do not feed the plant during the winter.
Pests and Diseases
The houseplant is relatively low-maintenance and resistant to pests and diseases. However, it may be prone to spider mites and mealybugs, which cause severe damage if not kept in check. To prevent an infestation, regularly inspect the plant and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
Spray the plant with an organic neem oil solution every 3-4 weeks and avoid overwatering to keep potential diseases at bay.
