The Philodendron Genevievianum is a lovely tropical plant that has become very popular in recent years. They have unique foliage that’s a bright green color. These plants have stems with a slightly fuzzy texture. The leaves are an elegant, long narrow shape.
Philodendron Genevievianums are relatively expensive due to their slow-growing nature and rarity. It’s vital that you do your research and find out how to care for your plant, as you don’t want to end up wasting your money. Let’s look at how to care for a Philodendron Genevievianum.
What is a Philodendron Genevievianum
The Philodendron Genevievianum is native to South America, particularly Ecuador. It’s a climbing variety from the philodendron genus of the Araceae family. This plant has medium-sized leaves which have a pleated appearance and grow from short petioles that feel fuzzy to the touch.
Philodendron Genevievianum is grown for ornamental purposes and is mainly kept as indoor plants. They can be grown outside in the right climate.
How to Care for a Philodendron Genevievianum
Philodendron Genevievianum plants are relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things such as temperature and watering that you’ll need to get right. These plants love high humidity, and as they are climbing vines, they need something to support the vines. Here are some tips to help you grow a thriving Philodendron Genevievianum;
Water
As Philodendron Genevievianum are tropical plants, they require adequate watering. It’s best to keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater, or your plant will become waterlogged, which could cause root rot. It’s recommended that you water your plant once or twice weekly throughout the growing season. The amount of water your plant needs will vary depending on the climate you live in and the season. During the late fall, you can reduce watering to once a week in winter. Always test the soil before watering to ensure it’s not too soggy.
Soil
Philodendron Genevievianum thrives when they’re grown in an aroid soil mix that is well aerated. You can add some coconut husk, charcoal, coir, or perlite to standard houseplant soil. It’s also good to add organic matter such as orchid bark or worm castings. As this variety of Philodendron grows climbing vines, it will need a totem for support and to grow on.
Sunlight
As philodendron genevievianum grows in the rainforest, it’s often shaded by an overhead canopy of trees. For this reason, it doesn’t like bright direct light and shouldn’t be left in the full sun, or its leaves will burn. Place your plant in bright indirect light.
You can move your plant outside for a short time in the morning before the sun gets too bright. Only do this in a warmer climate, and be sure to bring your plant inside when the sun is at its brightest and hottest.
Temperature and humidity
Philodendron Genevievianum is a tropical plant and requires warmth and humidity to thrive. These plants have acclimatized reasonably well and will grow indoors at an average room temperature.
A daytime temperature of between 60 and 80F° is ideal, and the plant can cope if the temperature drops slightly at night. Philodendron Genevievianum loves high humidity, so you should aim to provide a humid environment. This can be achieved by misting your plants. The humidity should be around 60%+.
A great way to increase humidity is to group tropical plants together and put a tray with water and pebbles underneath the pots. This will improve moisture for the plants as it creates a microclimate as the water evaporates. Alternatively, invest in a humidifier to help create the perfect environment for your plant.
Fertilizer
Philodendron Genevievianum is a tropical plant that needs to be given a balanced fertilizer regularly. You can use a diluted house plant fertilizer about once a month or can buy a fertilizer that’s been formulated especially for tropical plants.
Conclusion
Philodendron Genevievianum is a beautiful tropical plant that is reasonably easy to care for. It’s important to get humidity levels right if your plant is to thrive. These plants have lovely long, narrow leaves and fuzzy stems, they are grown for ornamental purposes and can thrive outdoors in the right environment.
Related article: Why is my Philodendron Turning Yellow?