Philodendron brandtianum
When I walk in the door with heaps of give chase vines dangling out of my arms , I could see my married man struggling not to roll his eye .
“ Yes , another houseplant , ” I grant , “ but attend at these farewell ! ”
I had manage to make him fall in dearest with the velvety Black Maria on mymicans philodendron , and there was no agency he was n’t going to be impressed by the iridescent flatware on the brandi ( Philodendron brandtianum)I was attempting to smuggle into our house .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
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plunderer alert : he did indeed go down head over heels . How could he not ?
Each middle - shape leaf is blotch , splotch , and otherwise mottled with silvery - gray highlight .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
Some leaves are almost entirely silver , with just the vein showing the dark green alkali hue .
It ’s every chip as beautiful as aheart - folio philodendronwith the added interestingness of the silvery markings .
While the argent leaf philodendron is not as popular as its ‘ Brasil , ’ micans , and heartleaf cousin-german , to me that just take in it all the more special .
I ca n’t wait to research this flora more with you , so have ’s hollow in . Here ’s what we ’ll discuss :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to mature
Where to Buy
alimony
Propagation
Pests and Disease
Philodendron brandtianumis commonly called brandi or silver leaf philodendron , though “ brandi ” should in reality bebrandti . Oh well .
It ’s an aroid , secondary hemiepiphyte or epiphyte that grows in trees , normally from seed dropped by surpass birds or mammal , though sometimes it will start life in the ground and then discover a tree to go up up as it get on .
Not only is it a vining case of industrial plant , but it has an “ appressed ” climbing habit , which means it mature closely pressed and attach to the torso of the tree .
Sometimes a vine that starts life-time in the ground will climb a tree and sever its contact with the land .
Others spend their whole lives in a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree from beginning to finish . Some start in the tree and drop root word into the primer .
Common name(s):Brandi , silver leaf philodendron
Plant type : Vining aroid
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):10b-11b ( outdoors )
Native to : South America
Bloom metre / time of year : evergreen plant
vulnerability : Bright , collateral Christ Within , mottled refinement
dirt character : Loose , organically - rich , well draining
territory pH:5.5 - 6.5 , slightly acidic to inert
Time to maturity:5 years
Mature size:1 ft wide x 5 - 20 ft long
Best employ : Houseplant , hanging basket , container specimen
Taxonomy
ordering : Alismatales
Family : Araceae
Genus : Philodendron
Species : Brandtianum
eloquent leaf philodendron is often confused with silver pothos ( Scindapsus pictus ) , butScindapsushas more rounded foliage , while that of the philodendron is more heart - shaped .
Both change shape as the leaves years , with those of the philodendron becoming longer with articulate nervure . Those ofScindapsusare duncical and more succulent .
I ’ve seenScindapsussold as brandi before , so ensure you see closely at what you are purchasing !
P. brandtianumis often mislabeled asP. variifolium , but they are completely unlike species .
Do n’t obscure it with silver sword philodendron ( P. hastatum ) , either .
They do n’t look particularly similar , since silver sword has more ovate leave and a faint silvery sheen , but the names are tight .
As it takes on its matured form , the diversification of the foliage fades forth and the farewell become more stretch and somewhat leathery , known assubcoriaceous .
matured plants will flower , a outstanding sorry unripened and deep violet inflorescence with a spathe and spadix and , subsequently , seeds .
Unless you give it something to rise up to 30 or more foot toward brighter light , it probably wo n’t ever fledged and bloom .
As each leaf grow , it ’s surrounded by a protective cataphyll . You ’ll also see aerial roots acquire .
These are hairless , non - branching growths used to cast anchor the plant to the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and absorb rainwater .
Silver leaf philodendron is indigenous to South America , from Central Brazil to lowland Bolivia , Ecuador , and Peru , and can be develop outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10b to 11b .
There are spate of way to enjoy your brandi philodendron . It ’s a Graeco-Roman option , draping over a container and down a ledge , but you’re able to also give it a pole or some other reenforcement .
Vining philodendrons are in reality felicitous when you give them a moss magnetic pole or something to climb .
If you ’ve upgrade a heart - folio or micans philodendron , you ’ll do just ticket with a smooth-spoken leaf .
Soil
you’re able to grow these houseplants in a standard potting mix and they ’ll do just ticket .
But if you want to really make your brandi happy , you need to give it something chunky , loose , and not too deep .
you could find potting medium formulated for aroids that are typically made from constituent like orchidaceous plant bark , peat , perlite , and coconut coir .
Even better , expect for a merchandise with charcoal and worm castings like Gardenera Aroid Potting Mix .
Gardenera Aroid Potting Mix
you’re able to detect itavailable via Amazonin one- to 20 - quart bags .
If you grow your silver leafage philodendron in this sensitive , you ’ll need to water more often than you would if it was growing in even potting mix to keep the medium consistently moist .
This is exactly what the plant prefers .
Water
These plants like it when the pot medium remains thinly moist but not marshy or blind drunk . The good style to describe it is to keep the ground like a well - wrung - out parazoan at all times .
The frequence of lachrymation will bet entirely on the temperature , air drive , size of it of container , and time of year .
Water when the surface of the soil starts to dry out or when amoisture metertells you the dirt is on the leaflet of dry .
If you climb on your philodendron you moderately much ca n’t overwater it .
During the winter , when the works is partially dormant , allow the land to well-nigh , but not entirely , dry out between tearing .
Light
Provide bright , indirect light source all day long . Dappled sunlight or sunrise light is okay , too .
The silvery colour tends to be more pronounced in bright light , so do n’t keep this plant in a glooming corner and look it to froth .
Temperature and Humidity
Like other vining philodendrons , temperatures in the sixty and 70s are perfect .
If the temperature climbs into the 80s or XC for short periods , it is fine , as are temperatures in the 50s . Exposing it to below 50 ° F and you run a risk killing the plant .
In the correct condition with nerveless night and coolheaded days with poor daylight than during the summer , the flora can become deciduous and drop its leaves during the dormant time of year .
It will regrow the foliage in the spring .
As with most trailing philodendron , it likes humidity to be around 50 to 80 percent , but it will be fine in low humidity . You might see some brown leaf tips , if the atmosphere is too dry .
Fertilizing
For mounted plant or those in an aroid - specific spiritualist , fertilise once a week during the growing season with a balmy , balanced food . Reduce feeding to once a month in the winter .
For plants in a received potting mix or growing in the ground , feed once a month .
There are lots of foliage - concentre fertilizers out there that will work well with this works . you’re able to even witness those formulated specifically for arum .
Dyna - Gro Foliage Pro Super Thrive
I expend Dyna - Gro Foliage Pro Super Thrive formulation for all my arum . you could find it in eight - ounce containersvia Amazon .
It ’s certainly not the most unwashed philodendron on the market , but it ’s not super rare , either . you’re able to in all probability find it at some local forte nurseries or online .
Philodendron Brandtianum
For example , theThirsty Leaves Store at Amazonhas springy flora in four to six - inch pots .
Silver leaf philodendron does n’t require much in the fashion of care . You should always remove dead , damage , or discolor leaves as you see them .
Beyond that , pruning is wholly at your discretion . If a vine is long and there is a lot of distance between the leaves , you could prune it back to promote bushier maturation .
Make your cut right in front of a leaf node using a clear couplet of scissors . While you ’re at it , move the plant into brighter light to promote denser growth .
You canlearn more about pruning philodendrons here .
you could easily propagate brandi philodendrons from base cutting or by section .
From Cuttings
To take a cutting , look for a sound vine about a foot long . you’re able to either cut down the whole vine off and then rationalise it into sections or just take a tip press clipping .
Each department needs to be a minimum of three inches long with two or more foliage nodes .
With philodendron cuttings ( andmonstera , incidentally ) , I usually start them in water because it ’s so easy and they root so well .
If you adjudicate to start your cuttings in stain , you need to commit to keeping the medium moist at all times .
To set out in water , put the press clipping in a glass jar so that one of the folio lymph node is under water and the rest of the cutting is propped up above the water .
Alternatively , sate a small container with water - retentive potting mixture and embed the cutting so at least one leaf node is buried .
Place them in a spot with shining , collateral light and if you ’re using soil , keep it moist but not wet at all times .
Within a few weeks , roots should part make . expect until you may see several roots that are at least two inches long before you move the slip started in water to pot mix .
Those in soil can be treated as a normal plant so long as they are firm and do n’t turn brown or give . They ’ll eventually organise roots and grow .
To move a cutting rooted in water to a container , fill a corporation with potting soil formulated for aroids and nose a piffling golf hole in it .
Place the cut in the soil with the roots buried and just a small incision of stem buried . Moisten the soil and care for the new industrial plant as you would a ripe brandi .
By Division
As these flora grow , they can develop a lot of bow growing out of the crown and you could separate these to make more plant life .
To do this , remove the plant from the container and gently tease aside the root and a section or several section of stems . normally , there will be a natural division that you could happen .
You might take to use some scissors grip or pruners , and if so , make certain you hygienize your prick . Wash them with red-hot , buttery water or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol .
Repot each discussion section in its own clean container , take around the roots with aroid potting soil .
Managing Pests and Disease
If you grow philodendrons long enough , you ’ll finally see them pop to cry .
This comes in the form of little droplets of water work down the leaf and falling off the tips . This is n’t because of a disease or any type of job .
philodendron have glands calledhydathodesthat produce liquid . This summons is known as guttation . When there is supererogatory liquid , it normally evaporate off the plant life .
But if there is little aura movement and nerveless temperatures , the liquid ca n’t evaporate , and it will accumulate on the foliage . There ’s nothing incorrect , it ’s totally normal .
When it comes to pests , it ’s just the common suspects that assail most houseplant to keep an eye out for .
Pests
I have dozens of philodendron mintage in my house and not a unmarried one of them has ever had a problem with pests .
But here are the big three that might get around , especially if your plants are stressed :
mealy bug are critter in the family Pseudococcidae that usually prosper in warm , humid climates .
They unremarkably have a white or gray waxy covering which can make them look like symptoms of a fungal disease . This is especially true because they tend to stay in place .
They use their sapsucking mouthpart to feed on plants , induce stunted growth and yellow leaves .
Generally , you could scrape them off or wipe them with isopropyl alcohol , but heavier infestations might ask a more concentrated crusade .
Learn more about mealybugs here .
There are rafts of scale species that can flow on houseplants , but the chance are extremely likely it will be brown mild scale ( Coccus hesperidum ) that attack your philodendron .
They look like slight brown lump and bumps , normally on the stems , but they can be anywhere .
you’re able to skin these off using a butter tongue or pass over them with isopropyl alcoholic drink and then spray with neem oil .
Our scout to dealing with scalehas more information .
Spider mites are super vulgar , but they in general opt wry experimental condition so they should n’t be draw to your brandi philodendron .
If they are present , you ’ll likely see webbing and the leaves will become speckled yellow and look dry .
you may usually manipulate an infestation by spraying the mites off the plant using a strong flow of water every few days .
If that does n’t play you might require to use an insect powder like neem oil or insecticidal soap .
Our guide to spider mitesexplains the details .
Disease
We ’ve already observe one of the two major diseases that can impact philodendron and that ’s root rot . It ’s due to overwatering , which allows pathogen to proliferate .
It can usually be controlled by reduce water and cover with a fungicide , but you’re able to learn all the detailsin our guide to root rot .
Otherwise , less often you might encounter bacterial foliage spot .
Caused byErwiniaspecies , it result in – you guessed it – spots on the leaf . These are usually black or dark Robert Brown but can also be sensationalistic .
If you start check position , spray your plant with a broad - spectrum biofungicide .
Monterey Complete Disease Control
Arbico Organics carriesa good product call Monterey Complete Disease Control , available in 32 - ounce quick - to - purpose , or in concentrate .
Spray your plant once every few calendar week until no new symptoms develop .
The Silver Mother Lode
P. brandtianumhas everything we have it off about philodendron , with its adaptability , rest of care , and refined form , plus a silvern accent that makes it stand out .
Like what you record here ? You canlearn more about philodendronsby adding these guides to your meter reading lean next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL rightfield RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Product picture via Arbico Organics , Dyna - Gro , Gardenera , and Thirsty Leaves Store . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
