Key Takeaways
- Philodendron gloriosum, also known as the Velvet-Leaf Philodendron, has heart-shaped leaves that have a velvet-textured surface with pink edges, and prominent light green, white, or pinkish veins.
- They are grown primarily for their beautiful leaves that darken within a week after the leaf opens.
- Considered easy to take care of, just make sure to water them with the soil is dry, place them where there is bright indirect sunlight, and plant them in soil that drains well.
Table of Contents
Philodendron gloriosum is a tropical vine plant that is native to the rainforests of South America.
It is a popular houseplant because it is easy to care for and has beautiful foliage.
In this post, we will provide you with simple plant care guidelines to keep your Philodendron gloriosum healthy and thriving.
What is a Philodendron Gloriosum?
Philodendron gloriosum is a vine plant species of the Araceae family and the Philodendron genus.
This philodendron species is a tropical, crawling, terrestrial plant native to South America—in particular to areas in Colombia, Peru, and parts of Central America.
Philodendron Gloriosum Leaves and Stems
Philodendron gloriosum has heart-shaped leaves that have a velvety texture, pink edges, and prominent veins that are light green, white, or pinkish.
New leaves have an ombre shade of green that darkens within a week after the leaf opens.
In general, philodendrons will grow as climbers or crawlers (or what some call creeping or trailing). The Philodendron gloriosum is definitely a crawling philodendron because its stems will grow horizontally and trail along the soil surface.
However, the leaves sprouting out of the stems will emerge vertically.
In fact, a mature Philodendron Gloriosum plant can reach a height of 35 to 40 inches and its leaves can get as wide as 36 inches.
Hence, plant enthusiasts prefer growing it as a container plant, either in a pot or hanging pot, and letting it trail out.
Philodendron Gloriosum is a Slow Grower
Philodendron Gloriosum is a slow grower. Some say it takes several years to reach maturity, but the leaves are worth all the wait. In fact, a single leaf spike may take several months to fully open.
Before you get any ideas in your head of maybe speeding up the growth rate, more water, sunlight, and fertilizer will not help. Nonetheless, fertilizer will indeed help it grow larger—just not faster.
Philodendron Gloriosum Flowers
Before a Philodendron gloriosum can begin flowering, it must reach maturity. However, reaching maturity may take over 10 years!
Once it reaches maturity, it will bloom from May to July, indicating that it is ready to reproduce.
The flowers of the Philodendron gloriosum consist of a blooming spike called a spadix and a bract that resembles a leaf called a spathe and are usually white.
Philodendron Gloriosum Care
Philodendron gloriosum plants are beautiful because of their foliage, and they require little care, making them a popular indoor plant for home decor.
In their natural habitat, they are found in tropical forests, so as long as you create a similar environment, your Philodendron gloriosum plant can thrive.
Temperature and Humidity
Philodendron gloriosum plants like temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relative humidity of 50 to 70 percent.
Philodendron Gloriosum can be planted outdoors in USDA hardiness zone 11.
However, the plant does not like cold weather and will not survive if the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, move your plant indoors during such weather.
If the humidity level in your house is lower than 40%, you should buy a humidifier to keep the plants thriving.
You may need to use a humidifier or a pebble tray near the plants to increase the area around them.
Light
You can grow Philodendron gloriosum plants anywhere where there is plenty of bright, indirect light.
Although not ideal, it can survive in low light or partial shade, but be careful as too much direct sunlight can scar and burn its large leaves.
If your plant becomes leggy, it might be caused by insufficient light. Move your plant closer to a window or remove any excess shading.
Lastly, if you have your plant in a location with little to no light, the use of artificial light, such as a grow light, can be a great substitute.
Just make sure they are about 24 inches away from your Philodendron gloriosum.
Keeping the artificial light too close to the plant can burn the beautiful veined foliage from overexposure.
Watering
This Philodendron Gloriosum plant loves moist soil and needs plenty of water during the hot summer season.
Instead of following a strict watering schedule, we suggest that before every watering, you dip your fingertips into the soil to check whether it is dry.
If it is, it is time to water your Philodendron Gloriosum plant.
Another indication or signal to follow is when you begin to see your plant’s leaves drooping or sagging. Give it some water and in no time, your plant should spruce up.
When it comes to watering, this tropical plant should be watered once or twice a week during the summer months.
Philodendron Gloriosum grows best when watered first thing in the morning so that the plant has plenty of time to dry out before the sun sets.
When watering the plant, make sure to water it evenly and thoroughly, making sure to wet the entire soil.
Even though the plant prefers a lot of water, the soil must be allowed to dry between waterings in order to avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot.
Soil
Philodendron gloriosum requires a well-draining, organic-rich potting mix, which is the best choice for this plant.
A soil pH level of 5-7 is ideal. If you are using a general potting mix, you can add some soil amendments like peat and perlite to provide drainage, lighten up the soil, and improve aeration in the soil.
Other alternative growing mediums include sphagnum peat moss or orchid bark, which will work just as well.
To make the growing medium even better, add some soil amendments like perlite or peat, and you will have great soil for your Philodendrons.
Lastly, instead of using potting soil, you can use orchid potting mix but add some peat moss and a draining soil amendment like perlite to create better aeration and drainage.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing Philodendron Gloriosum plants every two weeks with high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizers will ensure that they thrive.
The best time to add fertilizer to your plant is during its growing season, which is during the spring and summer.
Consider using a balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK formulation of 10-10-10.
Make sure to dilute the fertilizer by half the suggested amount because these elements can build up over time and cause harm to the plant.
Common Pests
Philodendron gloriosum plants are subject to a wide range of pests and diseases.
Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies are just a few of the typical pests that may cause damage to these plants.
Depending on the pest, the leaves of the plant might be damaged, which can cause the plant to develop slowly or possibly die.
Mealybugs
As an example, mealybugs, which are sap-sucking insects, may inflict significant harm to a plant’s leaves and stems. These pests are notoriously difficult to eradicate because they tend to hide deep in the plant’s tissue.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can cause extensive damage to plants. They are most commonly found on philodendron plants, but can also be present on other types of foliage plants.
If spider mites are left untreated, they can quickly multiply and cause extensive damage to the plant.
There are several ways to get rid of spider mites on Philodendron plants. One way is to use an insecticide such as neem oil.
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that is effective against spider mites. It is also safe for use on plants and does not have any harmful side effects.
Plant Diseases
Plant diseases that Philodendron gloriosum plants can be harmed by root rot, stem rot, and leaf spot.
For instance, “leaf spot” is a fungal infection that forms dark, circular lesions on the leaves of Philodendron gloriosum plants.
When it comes to getting pests and diseases off your Philodendron Gloriosum plants, there are a few options.
The treatment of these pests includes spraying with neem oil or horticultural oil every week or two. You can also use rubbing alcohol to wipe the leaves clean of pests.
Another alternative is to add horticultural charcoal to the soil. This will help protect the plant against soil-borne bacteria, fungi, and root rot.
Repotting
It is necessary to repot a Philodendron Gloriosum plant when it starts to outgrow its current container.
Philodendron Gloriosum plants prefer a new pot that is double the size of the previous pot, according to the plant’s needs.
It is recommended that the fresh soil be treated with organic matter to aid drainage and that the pot have drainage holes at the bottom.
The best time to repot a Philodendron Gloriosum plant is in the springtime when the plant is starting to grow new leaves.
The rhizome should not be entirely buried under the soil because it will lead to root rot.
After repotting, the plant should be well watered, and then only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch should it be watered again.
What to do with the rhizomes?
Most gardeners are unclear on what to do with the rhizomes of Philodendrons. If you don’t know what rhizomes are, they are the portion of the stem from which the leaves emerge.
As Philodendron Gloriosum plants are crawling plants. In other plant species that crawl, like Monstera plants, the rhizomes are above ground and even protrude vertically.
The simple answer is to keep the Philodendron Gloriosum plant’s rhizomes above the soil, leaving the upper half fully exposed.
Letting the rhizomes stay above the soil, will allow the roots to grow below and into the soil.
On the other hand, if you bury the rhizomes, Philodendron Gloriosum plants will be more prone to rotting because the soil is usually moist, allowing fungus and bacteria to grow.
Furthermore, when rhizomes are covered, the new growth of smaller leaves will be blocked, and your Philodendron Gloriosum plant will be unable to crawl and spread out.
Bottom line: for your Philodendron Gloriosum plant to thrive, the rhizomes must remain partially above ground and the roots must be able to penetrate the soil.
Propagation
Philodendron gloriosum plants can be propagated by taking a stem cutting from a healthy plant and rooting it in a growing medium.
Alternatively, you can propagate them using the air layering method. However, using stem cuttings is the most common method.
Philodendron Gloriosum propagation should be done in early spring or summer when the plant is growing and at its best.
The best time to take cuttings is when the plant is actively growing and new growth is emerging from the stem.
Make sure to cut at the leaf node near the mother plant’s base that is connected to the rhizome.
Cut a 4 to 6-inch piece of stem from the plant, making sure to include at least one set of leaves.
Dip it in a rooting hormone powder to help the stem cuttings root faster.
The newly propagated cutting needs water and to be kept in a warm, sunny location until it begins to grow new roots.
This is a slow-growing variety, so new growth after propagation also takes time.
You might have to wait for up to one month to see new roots and leaves.
Pruning
Philodendron Gloriosum pruning can help you save the remaining healthy leaves on the plant by removing leaves that are diseased, yellowing, or browning.
First, ensure you sterilize the pruning tools like a sharp knife or pruning scissors.
Next, prune any dead or damaged leaves.
After that, trim any stems that are growing in the wrong area or that are too long. Finally, trim any leaves that are protruding too far from the tree.
Make sure to make clean cuts and avoid damaging the plant’s stem while you are cutting it. When all is done, give your plant a good watering.
FAQ
Why Is Philodendron Gloriosum So Expensive?
Despite the fact that Philodendron gloriosum has not been genetically changed and cannot be replicated, it is well-known for its stunning leaves. Exorbitant prices are because there is a lot of demand for these species and not enough to go around.
Is Philodendron Gloriosum Fast-Growing?
Philodendron Gloriosum is a slow-growing plant. It may take 1-2 months from the time of a leaf spike to the time of a complete opening. Some farmers overwater or overfertilize this plant in the hopes of speeding up its growth, but this will only cause damage to the plant.
Why Is My Philodendron Gloriosum Yellow?
Philodendron Gloriosum may get yellow leaves for a variety of reasons, the most common of which are overwatering and too much sunshine. In the first instance, let the potting mix dry out for a longer period of time before watering. When growing this plant, always use a loose soil mix. If this is the case, relocate your pot to a location where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight.
What is Philodendron Gloriosum ‘Dark Form’?
Philodendron gloriosum ‘Dark Form’ is a variant of Philodendron gloriosum. It is highly coveted because of its leaves. Compared to the regular form, the dark form has darker leaves with fine and obvious veining, a circular petiole, and a reddish outline along the leaf margins. The rarity of this variant makes the Gloriosum Dark form hard to find.
Is Philodendron Gloriosum Poisonous to Pets?
Philodendron Gloriosum toxic can add a tropical touch to any setting with its large, green foliage. But it’s a poisonous houseplant, so make sure kids or pets do not touch or consume the leaves.
Conclusion
The Philodendron gloriosum is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant. It is perfect for beginners and those who have brown thumbs.
The foliage has an incredible velvety texture-it is even more stunning to the touch than to the eye.
It is also pretty straightforward to propagate so you can share them with others.
With just a little bit of care, your Philodendron gloriosum will thrive and bring beauty to your home or office. It is perfect for adding a splash of green to any room.
Trust us when we say you won’t need another plant after that you own a Philodendron gloriosum.
Other Philodendron Plants
Philodendron plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a popular houseplant choice. If you can’t get your hands on a Philodendron gloriosum, below is a list of alternatives you can get for your home, office, or outdoor garden.
- Philodendron Types: Most Popular Varieties to Grow
- Various Indoor Vining Plants for Your Home Garden
- How to Prune Philodendrons
Philodendron Cordatum: The Philodendron cordatum is a popular Philodendron species for any indoor setting. Known for its heart-shaped, dark green leaves, it has been given nicknames like the Heartleaf Philodendron and Sweetheart Plant.
Philodendron Brasil: Philodendron brasil is a great small plant for the home or office. You can place it on the counter or in a holding pot. It is even possible for this plant to climb on a trellis or moss pole. It’s such a low-maintenance plant that it’s great for beginners.
Philodendron Hope Selloum: This philodendron is also known as Philodendron bipinnatifidum, and it has numerous common names, including Hope Selloum, Horsehead Philodendron, Lacy Tree Philodendron, Philodendron Hope Selloum, and the most popular, the Tree Philodendron. It is a non-climbing philodendron, meaning it grows horizontally rather than upward.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.