If you want a no-fuss houseplant that stands out with its incredible foliage, learn How to Grow Philodendron Florida Ghost Indoors!
Philodendrons, regardless of the specimen, are noted for their unique silhouetted leaves that add a dash of greenery indoors. If you want to bring home this gorgeous air-purifying and easy-care specimen, learn How to Grow Philodendron Florida Ghost Indoors!
- Botanical Name: Philodendron pedatum
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Requires well-draining soil with high organic matter levels
- Needs water on alternate days in summer and twice a week for the rest of the year
- Loves brightly lit rooms and indirect sunlight
Look at the Best Philodendron Varieties here
Philodendron Florida Ghost Plant Profile
Native to the South and Central American rainforests, Philodendron Florida Ghost is one of the most sought-after houseplants, loved for its unique foliage and vining nature. True to its name, the foliage resembles a ghost that emerges in white, turning to lime green and finally darker green on maturity.
Apart from its beauty, minimal care needs, high humidity, and indirect sunlight make this Philodendron cultivar the first choice of homeowners!
Propagating Philodendron Florida Ghost
Use a sterilized pair of scissors to cut a healthy stem below a node where leaves grow out of the stem. Make sure the plant is healthy and free from pests.
Let the cut end callous over for a day, and then tuck the cutting into moistened potting mix or sphagnum moss. Place it in a place that receives bright indirect sunlight. After a few weeks, gently pull out the cutting, and if you notice resistance, that means you have a root system growing. Pot the cutting into a larger container and watch it grow!
You can also try growing Philodendron Florida Ghost in water. Just replace the sphagnum moss with a glass of clean, non-chlorinated water after the cut-end callouses. Ensure to change the water every two days to bar any fungal infestations. This method will be easier to track the root growth if you use a transparent container.
Ideal Pot Size
A 6-8 inches pot is good for displaying a Philodendron Florida Ghost. If you decide to grow it bigger with less pruning, the pot size can vary. Ensure enough drainage holes at the bottom to promote good aeration. As the plant takes an enormous size, you may use portable planters for convenience.
Requirements For Growing Philodendron Florida Ghost
Light
Philodendrons can grow well in a range of light conditions, making them popular as houseplants. These thrive well in both dimly and highly lit rooms, while indirect sunlight also goes well with the plant. Place this plant near a window that doesn’t get direct sunlight so that it grows well, and remember that direct sunlight will harm the plant by scorching its leaves.
A brightly lit room is enough to meet its lighting needs. Also, the beauty enjoys a few hours of darkness, making it the best indoor choice.
Soil
This plant requires well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH of 6.1-6.5. A mixture of perlite, sand, and bark will be a good choice to promote drainage. You can also use an indoor plant potting mix with charcoal to ensure the acidity of the medium.
Water
Your Philodendron Florida Ghost should be watered on alternate days in summer and twice a week for the rest of the year. While watering, allow the soil to dry out completely in between, and never let its roots sit in soggy soil. When growing these plants indoors, ensure that drip trays are emptied regularly.
Temperature & Humidity
The Philodendron Florida ghost thrives best at temperatures ranging from 64 to 95 F or 18 to 35 C, and these are susceptible to the cold. The plant should be kept away from an open window during winter.
This Philodendron cultivar loves a little high humidity of 65-75%. You may use a humidifier or pebble trays to keep the air humid.
Philodendron Florida Ghost Care
Fertilizers
Philodendron Florida Ghost grows well with Nitrogen-rich fertilizer to ensure that the leaves grow large and lustrous. You may also use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluting it to half its strength once a month during the spring.
Pests and Diseases
The most common pests in Philodendron Florida Ghost are spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and fungus gnats, and diseases are root rot, Erwinia blight, and bacterial leaf spot. You may deal with the plant pests with organic neem oil or insecticidal soap spray. Do not overwater the plant, and clean the foliage with a soapy solution to eliminate debris accumulation.
Ensure to check your plants every few days for pests and also trim off any dead or dying leaves.
Repotting
Choose a pot one size bigger than its current that has good drainage, and repot during spring and summer. To check whether the plant is ready to repot, see if its roots are coming out of the drainage holes or by slipping the plant out of its pot and checking if the roots are all in a heavy coil around the outside of the soil.
Pruning
This plant does need pruning, but if one wants to control its size, go for little pruning. It helps to control long, stretched-out stems and encourage new growth. Use sharp scissors to cut above a node where leaves and roots grow out of the stem, which means the node will remain on the plant, not the part you cut off.
Also, the occasional pruning will help remove any dead or dying leaves.
