Growing Variegated Burle Marx Indoors can be a little tricky, but we have got you covered with this extensive care guide!
If you are a fan of variegated foliage and love to grace your home with a mosaic of greens, this Variegated Burle Marx Philodendron will have your heart with its unique color palette. However, you must do your part by providing the plant with a favorable growing environment with this care guide!
- Botanical Name: Philodendron burle-marxii
- Popular as—Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated, Variegated Burle Marx Philodendron, Burle Marx Variegata
- Attains a height of 3 feet indoors
- Requires bright, indirect sunlight to retain variegation
- Thrives in a temperature range of 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C)
- Toxic to humans and pets
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What is Variegated Burle Marx?
Member of the Araceae family, Variegated Burle Marx is a variegated cultivar of the Philodendron Burle Marx, named in honor of the renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. This evergreen, tropical perennial features stunning, heart-shaped leaves variegated with unique, irregular white or cream patterns. With a decent height of 3 feet, the plant flaunts a shrubby appearance but would love to climb up a nearby trellis, so you may support it with a moss pole, further enhancing its beauty.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated is relatively low maintenance and adapts well to varied conditions, making it an excellent choice for apartments, offices, and co-working spaces.
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Variegated Burle Marx Reverted
A Variegated Burle Marx Reverted is a cultivar that has experienced a loss of its distinct variegation and has reverted to its original, non-variegated form, typically featuring solid green leaves. This can occur due to various factors, such as insufficient light, overwatering, or environmental stress. When the plant reverts, it loses its unique visual appeal and can be disappointing for plant owners.
To encourage the return of variegation, you must provide the plant with optimal exposure to bright, indirect light. Also avoiding extreme temperature fluctuations is also super crucial to ensure proper variegation.
Is Variegated Burle Marx Rare?
While Philodendron Burle Marx is pretty common and can easily be acquired from nurseries, finding the Variegated Burle Marx can be relatively challenging, primarily due to its unique variegated foliage that makes these plants one of their kind. The plant’s rarity also stems from the fact that propagation can be somewhat challenging, with lower success rates compared to other Philodendron varieties.
Ideal Pot Size
The ideal pot size for a Variegated Burle Marx Plant depends on the current size and growth rate of the plant. As a rule of thumb, a container that is one size bigger than the plant’s root ball will allow the roots enough space to grow without pooling excess water at the bottom.
A 4-6 inches pot with 1-2 holes in the bottom is good enough for a young plant, but you may need to transplant it to a larger size pot when you see the roots coming out of the drainage holes.
Variegated Burle Marx Propagation
Propagating Variegated Burle Marx can be done through stem cuttings. Get a healthy, disease-free parent plant, a sterile clipper, and some good quality potting mix, and follow these steps to get a new baby plant:
- Select a healthy stem with at least one or two leaves and a visible node
- Using a sterilized cutting tool, make a clean cut just below the node, ideally at a 45-degree angle, to promote quicker healing.
- Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving only the topmost pair intact.
- Allow the cut end to callous for a few hours at a clean, dry spot.
- Fill a pot with the potting mix and plant the cutting into it.
- Mist the medium thoroughly and place it in bright, indirect sunlight.
You will notice new growth in 2-3 weeks. Once a robust root system has formed, provide the baby Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated with a suitable growing environment and help it thrive.
Variegated Burle Marx Care
Light
The Variegated Burle Marx Plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Do remember that exposure to direct sunlight will scorch the delicate leaves, while insufficient sunlight will rip the plant off its variegation, resulting in a reverted plant with solid green leaves.
A north or east-facing window with mild morning sunlight will ensure your plant retains its vibrant variegation. If natural light is limited, expose the plant to artificial grow lights or LED strips.
Soil
A well-draining soil mix is crucial for the Variegated Burle Marx Plant to ensure proper root health and healthy variegation. To ensure the same, combine equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. It will promote drainage and aeration while retaining adequate moisture.
Alternatively, you may also amend a high-quality, pre-mixed potting soil designed for tropical houseplants with a handful of perlite or pumice and use the same.
Water
Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated prefers consistently moist soil that is not soggy. Do remember that overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering may cause the leaves to droop or wilt. To hit the right moisture balance, maintain a weekly deep watering session—water the medium thoroughly until the excess drains away. Let the top two inches dry a little before repeating the process.
This will ensure the roots get enough moisture without pooling water excess, thus preventing root rot.
Temperature & Humidity
Native to tropical rainforests, the Variegated Burle Marx plant thrives in warm temperatures and high humidity levels. Ideal temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Keep the plant away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and heaters, as sudden temperature fluctuations can stress the plant and cause leaf drop.
The plant needs high humidity of 60-80% to maintain the variegation. Mist the plant regularly with tepid water, place a humidity tray, or use a humidifier to maintain a consistent moisture level in the surrounding air. You may also create a microclimate with increased humidity by grouping humidity-loving plants together.
Fertilizer
Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated thrives when fed with proper fertilization during its active growing season in spring and summer. To ensure optimal growth and vibrant foliage, fertilize the plant every 4-6 weeks with a balanced houseplant blend diluted to half its strength.
Additionally, you may also incorporate organic matter like well-composted manure or worm castings into the potting mix to further enhance the plant’s nutrient supply. However, do remember not to feed the plant during its dormancy as that can lead to nutrient build-up and harm the plant.
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Major Troubleshooting Tips
Growing the Variegated Burle Marx plant indoors is a rewarding experience, but you may encounter certain issues. Here are some major troubleshooting tips to ensure you have a thriving indoor plant:
- Yellowing or Drooping Leaves: Occurs majorly due to overwatering and poor drainage. Ensure the pot has drainage holes and allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering sessions.
- Loss of Variegation: Common in variegated specimens due to lack of ample sunlight. Ensure the plant receives bright, indirect light.
- Leggy Growth: Stems tend to stretch towards the light source. Move the plant to a brighter location, ensuring it still receives indirect light to prevent scorching.
- Pests: Regularly inspect the plant for signs of pests and treat them promptly using insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
- Brown Leaf Tips: Common on drier days due to lack of humidity. Mist the plant with tepid water, place a humidity tray, or use a humidifier to boost air moisture.
- Curling Leaves: Majorly due to underwatering or pest infestation. Check the soil moisture and inspect the undersides of the foliage for signs of pests.
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Where to Buy Variegated Burle Marx?
Finding a Variegated Burle Marx Philodendron might be a little challenging, as it is a rare and highly sought-after cultivar. Local nurseries or garden centers specializing in houseplants or tropical plants might have this specimen. You must also explore online plant shops, where you can browse through a more extensive selection and compare different offerings.
Websites and social media platforms such as Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace often feature listings from independent growers and collectors who may have Variegated Burle Marx for Sale. Also, keep an eye on online plant communities and forums that might pick this rare beauty for trade. However, when purchasing online, be sure to check the seller’s reviews and reputation to ensure you receive a healthy, well-cared-for plant.
