How to Grow and Care for Philodendron elegans (Finger-leaf Philodendron) Indoors
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Philodendron elegans (Finger-leaf Philodendron) flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Philodendron elegans also called Skeleton Key Philodendron is one of the sought-after Philodendron varieties on account of its size and highly divided stately leaves which come in various shades of green and have a glossy sheen. They are highly divided which gives them the appearance of a palm's frond.
Finger-leaf Philodendron has a creeping and a climbing growth habit. Like Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum), Spadeleaf Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum), Blushing Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) and Philodendron ilsemanii 'Variegata' it requires to be given a moss pole or a trellis to give it support to grow upright.
Philodendron elegans is considered to be one of the rare, low-light plants and is often mistaken for Philodendron radiatum, Philodendron mayoi, Philodendron lancerum or Philodendron tortum due to the pinnate foliage.
Botanical name: Philodendron elegans
Family: Araceae
Common name: Finger-leaf Philodendron, Skeleton Key Philodendron
Origin
Philodendron elegans is native to the tropical forests of Brazil and Colombia where it grows as a hemiepihyte; it grows both epiphytically and terrestrially.
Size
Skeleton Key Philodendron can grow to about 33 feet in its native habitat but indoors it grows to about 6-8 feet. The leaves can grow to 1.8 feet long by 1 foot wide.
Toxicity
Philodendron elegans like other Philodendrons is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by National Capital Poison Center. The plants contain Calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, it can cause burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Therefore, keep your Philodendron elegans away from the reach of children and pets.
Where to Buy
Finger-leaf Philodendron is an excellent addition to any plant collection. You may acquire the plant from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Philodendron elegans Care Indoors
Philodendron elegans (Finger-leaf Philodendron) blossoms in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Finger-leaf Philodendron requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, encourage a bushy growth and rejuvenate growth. Repotting of the young plant is needed when it becomes pot-bound while the large plants require annual replenishment of the soil. Keep reading for more on these conditions and how to best to provide them.
How to Water Philodendron elegans
Water Philodendron elegans liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce the amount and frequency of watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
To avoid soggy soil, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole. Soggy soil can lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
Light Requirements
Philodendron elegans grows best in medium to bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Make sure that it receives adequate light as insufficient light will result in leggy growth and small-sized pale leaves. If the natural lighting is too low, you may grow the plant under grow lights.
For uniform growth, rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Temperature and Humidity
Philodendron elegans thrives in average warmth of 16-280C. Temperatures outside this range may harm the plant. Keep it away from cold and hot drafts to prevent extreme temperatures.
Very high temperatures may cause yellowing and leaf drop while too low temperatures can result in reduced growth or even death of the plant.
Philodendron elegans requires a humidity of 60-70% to thrive. Low humidity for prolonged periods can result in curled leaves and brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to elevate humidity for indoor plants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and to discourage pest infestation. Make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Philodendron elegans every 3-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Potting Medium
The best potting medium for Philodendron elegans should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.
Repotting
Repot Philodendron elegans at the beginning of the growing season when the plant becomes root-bound. Use a pot that is 2 sizes larger than the current one. Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.
Replenish the top 2-3 inches of soil of large plants at the beginning of the growing season or as necessary. Take care not to injure the roots to avoid fungal infestations.
The large plant can also be divided at repotting to propagate new plants if you need to increase your collection or share with friends and family.
Pruning
Pruning Philodendron elegans involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and also minimize pests and diseases. Cutback the stems of a straggly plant to the soil level at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth. Learn more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Philodendron elegans (Finger-leaf Philodendron) propagation can be done during the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant divison. The stem cuttings can be rooted in soil or in water.
How to propagate Philodendron elegans from stem cuttings in soil
Take a stem cutting of about 4-5 inches long from a healthy Philodendron elegans by cutting the stem below a leaf node. Strip off the lower leaves.
Insert the cutting in moist, well-drained soil while ensuring at least on leaf node is below the soil.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged.
Allow the new Finger-leaf Philodendron to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Philodendron elegans from stem cuttings in water
Take a stem cutting of about 4-5 inches long from a healthy Philodendron elegans by cutting the stem below a leaf node. Strip off the lower leaves.
Place the cutting in a jar of clean water while ensuring at least on leaf node is below the water surface.
Position the set up in a well-lit place and change the water every 5-7 days until roots have developed.
Transfer the new plants into individula pots in moist, free-draining soil when the roots are about 4 in. long.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged on the cuttings.
Allow the new Finger-leaf Philodendron to be well established before transfering the pots to their permanent position after which you can begin routine.
How to propagate Philodendron elegans by plant division
Water the Philodendron elegans thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Carefully divide a large Philodendron elegans into sections while ensuring each section has enough roots.
Pot these sections into individual pots in moist, loose, free-draining soil.
Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Finger-leaf Philodendron is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Philodendron elegans Problems
Philodendron elegans (Finger-leaf Philodendron) problems include yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips and edges, rotting, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Diseases
Philodendron elegans is prone to powdery mildew and leaf spot disease which are enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and spray it with a fungicidal solution. Ensure to cover the entire plant; the leaves and the stems.
To prevent future attacks, avoid wetting the foliage and water from the bottom instead. Also ensure that there is good air circulation for the plant.
Pests
The common pests in Philodendron elegans are spider mites, aphids, scales and mealybugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves in Philodendron elegans are due to three possible reasons. One possible cause of drooping leaves is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Check the condition of the soil by inserting 2-3 inches of your forefinger in the soil and feel the soil between your fingers.
If the soil feels dry, water the plant immediately and it should recover. If the soil feels wet, withhold watering until the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry. To prevent this problem in the future, water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Cut down on watering in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is well-drained. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.
The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Philodendron elegans is too high temperatures due to hot drafts as it grows best in average warmth of 16-280C. Keep it away from hot drafts from hot air vents, heat source and others. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The third possible cause of drooping leaves in Philodendron elegans is pests infestations. Weak plants are susceptible to pests attacks. These sap sucking pests will cause the leaves to loose their stiffness and begin to droop. Regularly inspect the plant for any infestation and treat it appropriately.
Yellow leaves
If many leaves are affected and there are signs of wilting and rotting, overwatering is the cause of yellow leaves in Philodendron elegans Take care not to overwater. Water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce the amount and frequency of watering in the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist. To avoid soggy soil, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining (drains easily).
If there is no wilting and rotting, underfeeding is the cause of yellow leaves in Philodendron elegans. Feed the plant every 3-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer but do not feed during the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn. Learn how to feed houseplants.
If only lower leaves are affected and have dark spots and new leaves are dark and small, then underwatering is the cause of yellow leaves.
To fix the problem, water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Lessen watering during the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
If leaves are pale colored and have straw-colored patches the cause of yellow leaves is exposure to direct sunlight. Protect or keep the plant away from direct sunlight as it cannot tolerate direct sunlight.
Leggy growth and small pale leaves
Too little light is the cause of leggy growth and small pale leaves as Philodendron elegans will not thrive in shade. Place the plant in a more brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light where the natural light is inadequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Brown leaf tips and edges
There are two possible causes of brown leaf tips and edges in Philodendron elegans. One possible cause of brown leaf tips and edges is dry air (low air humidity). To fix this problem, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or grow the plant in a brightly-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
The second possible cause of brown leaf tips and edges in Philodendron elegans is that the plant is pot-bound. Repot the plant into a pot 2 sizes larger and ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
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