Care Guide: Philodendron Florida ‘Beauty’
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Introducing the Philodendron Florida Beauty, a captivating hybrid plant that has quickly stolen the hearts of many houseplant parents, both experienced and beginners alike. This tropical gem is the product of crossing Philodendron squamiferum and Philodendron pedatum, both members of the Araceae family.
Renowned for its dazzling foliage and variegation, this plant is destined to become the focal point of any indoor oasis. The leaves of the Philodendron Florida Beauty steal the spotlight with their elongated, heart-shaped structure adorned with lobes at the base and deeply serrated edges. At maturity, each leaf can stretch up to 12 inches in length. As a natural climber, this philodendron thrives with the support of a moss pole or trellis. In its natural habitat, this plant latches onto trees and structures using aerial roots. These aerial roots then allow the plant to soak up more of the necessary nutrients for it’s striking foliage.
The variegation in the Philodendron Florida Beauty is a result of genetic mutation, yielding an enchanting array of green and cream-colored patches on the leaves, with no two leaves identical. The degree of variegation varies, ensuring each plant boasts its own unique charm.
Temperature & Humidity
The Philodendron Florida Beauty thrives within a temperature range of 65°F to 80°F. It's essential to shield your plant from the cold.
Avoid positioning your tropical plant near drafty windows or close to air conditioning units. While temperature control is vital, maintaining humidity levels is equally important. Fortunately, these plants are relatively resilient to fluctuations in humidity, provided they receive adequate moisture.
However, for optimal growth and consistent variegation, consider enhancing humidity levels, especially if you reside in drier climates. In my experience, keeping the humidity around your tropical plants above 50% is a good general rule to follow. Here are some effective methods to increase moisture in the air for your plants:
Use a tray filled with pebbles: Fill a tray with pebbles and add water, allowing it to flow over the stones. Place your plant on the tray, ensuring it doesn't directly touch the water. This setup facilitates evaporation, increasing ambient humidity around the plant. While this option is easy and slightly effective, you’ll see better overall results from the options below.
Get a humidifier: Investing in a humidifier is a convenient way to regulate humidity levels, particularly in indoor environments where natural moisture may be lacking.
Surround with other plants(create a microclimate): Positioning your Philodendron Florida Beauty amidst other plants can create a microclimate with elevated humidity levels, benefiting all nearby greenery.
Soil Needs
The key to a healthy Philodendron Florida Beauty is having it in a well-draining soil that is able to retain moisture and nutrients. While there are several substrates that can be suitable for this plant, I have been successful growing the Florida Beauty in mix of sphagnum moss and perlite as well as in my chunky aroid mix.
If you’re going to be using a general potting soil, it’s always best to add perlite, as the drainage in most pre-made soils is inadequate for tropical plants such as Philodendron.
My personal favorite is a home-made chunky mix consisting of 30% Coco Coir Chunks, 20% Fine Coco Coir, 20% Perlite, 10% Orchid Bark, 10% Horticultural Charcoal, and 10% Worm Castings.
Light Requirements
Having the proper light is essential to maintaining the iconic variegation on these plants. Similar to most Philodendron, this plant prefers bright indirect light. While they can be acclimated to small amounts of direct sunlight, it is best to keep your Philodendron Florida Beauty near, but not directly in, an east or west facing window.
If you lack the proper natural light, you can also opt for artificial grow lights. I currently have my Florida Beauty about 2 feet under my 50W Barrina LED Grow Light.
Signs of improper lighting;
Less variegation over time
Leggy growth
Watering Needs
During the spring and summer, which are the prime growth seasons, be sure to water your plant thoroughly once the soil surface has dried out. Under optimal lighting conditions, this typically occurs approximately once per week.
Be cautious not to overwater. You may notice a slight decrease in the plant's water requirements as summer comes to an end, and during winter, intervals between watering sessions can extend to every 10 to 14 days. A reliable method to determine watering needs is to check if the top 2 inches of soil are dry; if they are, it's time to water.
Fertilizer
Keep your Philodendron Florida Beauty happy and thriving by giving it a little nutrient boost every 4-6 weeks during the growing season(spring-summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that nitrogen-rich. Just remember to dilute it to half strength to avoid overwhelming your plant, which could result in leaf burn. When winter and the plant slows down its growth, you can ease up on the feeding schedule or even stop altogether until spring comes back around.
Plant Support: Moss Poles & Trellises
As with any climbing philodendron, the Philodendron Florida Beauty would certainly benefit from some kind of support. Vertical support mimics the plans natural environment and encourages larger leaf growth.
My personal favorite is the moss pole. Moss poles allow the roots to actually grow into the moss and absorb any nutrients you add to water when keeping your moss poles moist. The development of these aerial roots can also allow for easier propagation from stem cuttings, as you can take a cutting that has already developed roots.
Another option is a wooden or metal trellis or stake. While this option does not offer the same opportunity for nutrient absorption as the moss poles, it still provides ample support for larger leaf development. This option works exceptionally well in an environment with higher humidity.
I have also seen a couple of people choose to have their Philodendron Florida Beauty climb up a wall using plant-clips or command hooks. Once again, this will not give your plant that added boost of nutrients, but it is a very unique alternative to the climbing pothos and scindapsus that is usually seen.
Propagation Tips & Tricks
Stem Cutting
To propagate a Philodendron Florida Beauty, my go-to method is through stem cuttings. Find a healthy stem with at least one leaf and a couple of nodes. With clean pruning shears, snip below a node and gently remove any lower leaves.
Allow the cutting callous over for at least an hour, this will minimize the risk of root rot. Do not leave the cutting sitting out for more than 24 hours. Then, place the cutting into water or a moist potting mix, making sure the node is settled nicely.
This step is completely optional, but before placing my cuttings in either soil or water, I dip them into a rooting hormone to encourage faster root development. Rooting hormone comes in both a powder and liquid concentrate form, I have seen great results from both.
If you choose to propagate with water, be sure to refresh the water 1-2 times a week. If you choose to propagate with soil, ensure the top two inches of the soil are kept damp for the first few weeks until roots start to develop, then water as needed.
Keep an eye on your cutting, and within a few weeks, you'll likely spot the exciting emergence of new roots!
Extra Tip: Wait until your Philodendron Florida Beauty has at least 5-7 leaves showing consistent variegation before choosing to take a stem-cutting. If you chop too soon, you run the risk of losing the variegation on the mother plant as well as the cutting. It is also important to note that taking a cutting at the beginning of the growing season(early spring) will also help to minimize the loss of variegation.
Air Layering
For those looking for an alternative propagation technique, air layering proves to be a fantastic option for our beloved Philodendron Florida Beauty.
Start by selecting a healthy stem and making a small upward notch about halfway through, positioned just beneath a node. A dab of rooting hormone on the cut will kickstart the process.
Next, wrap the area with damp sphagnum moss or coco coir, securing it snugly with plastic wrap. Then, wait until you see roots start to emerge. Once they're visible, snip the stem below the fresh roots and pot up your brand-new plant!