Caring For A Split Leafed Philodendron
Common Name: Split Leaf Philodendron
Scientific Name: Monstera deliciosa
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Moderate
The Split Leafed Philodendron is known for its tropical oversized leaves with what appears to be cuts within them. It is also known as the Swiss cheese plant. I have found the Split Leaf Philodendron to be a low maintenance house plant. The one thing to watch with this house plant is that due to its oversized foliage and the ability to grow in large proportions, you may need to stake the stems.
The Split Leaf Philodendron prefers medium lighting, so it is best to keep this plant located within 5 to 8 feet of a window. However, be careful when choosing the location for this house plant because once you have placed it somewhere it does not like to be moved. This house plant has an attitude of its own, because if you then move it to another location it may drop its leaves in revolt to your moving it. Also, if the light level is to low, the leaves will not develop their unique perforations.
The Split Leaf Philodendron requires moderate watering. Water once every 7 to 10 days. Most do not seem to mind being dry once in a while either. Water thoroughly, keeping the soil evenly moist to.
If the lower leaves begin yellowing you may not be giving the plant enough light or over watering it. While the Split Leafed Philodendron is generally pest-free, aphids, mealy bugs, scales and spider mites can infest them. If this occurs simply spray a dish soap and water mixture over the plant.
On a special note, this houseplant is one of the many poisonous houseplants found in people's homes. Please be extra careful so that your pets or children do not eat the plant.
Labels: easy to grow houseplants, poisonous houseplants
posted by drayas @ 8:09 AM
44 Comments:
I have a split leaf philodendron we have white round balls about 6" what are they.Jack
Jack,
6 inches!! Are these white balls on the top of the soil or actually on the plant? Where they always this big or did they start?
Let me know.
Thanks,
drayas
I have a philodendron and it started growing these long brown stem like root things off of some of the branches. I am not sure what they are, if they are new branches or roots, but they don't look like branches they just keep getting longer and branching out more without ever getting leaves. What are these strange growths?
janigreenthumb,
The long brown stems are called aerial roots. They are basically support roots. You can cut them off without hurting the plant.
Thanks,
drayas
I love my plant and want to keep as healthy as possible. So basically I'm suppose to water it every 7 to 10 days, not move it and make sure it gets good light but not too much. Is that right? Also what does it mean to stake the steams?
BB,
In terms of care information, you got it. Now for staking. Mine is not staked and now it is out of control. My picture is over 2 years old. My split leaf philodendron now is about 5 feet wide all around. You can stake the larger stems up in order to keep it in control.
And I even put a call out for my readers for some help on containing this plant. Help With My Split Leaf Philodendron. We'll both have to see if anyone helps us out.
Thanks,
drayas
does any one know why my philo... split leaf would have black spots on the leaves ...searched on here an haven't founf the cure or any one else haviung the same problem ...all i can think of iss root rot...please help before it is too late.........
Hello,
Do the stems feel squishy? If the stems of the plant feel squishy and not firm, you probably are facing root rot.
Are they any signs of insects? Try spraying the philodendron with a soapy dishwater mixture. If it is a fungus or mold, this should help clean it up.
Keep me posted.
Thanks,
drayas
I have a split leaf philodendron that I love; but it has been a very long time since a large leaf has emerged. Only small leaves unroll and rarely do they have splits. I would love for this plant to get large and impressive. What am I doing wrong?
Hello,
Usually if the Split Leaf Philodendron is not creating the large split foliage, the plant is not receiving enough light.
Try moving it closer to light and see what happens. It should correct your problem.
Thanks,
drayas
Hello I'm Dart
I too have a huge split leaf but mine is planted out by the barn and it is 7 foot tall and 5 to 6 foot around it is beautiful this is my problem it has a second part that is laying on the ground that is 5 foot long and turns up on the end it is 3 feet high I want to take this extra part off do I just cut it with a chainsaw or axe its about 7-8 inches around I would like to replant it somewhere else thanks
Dart,
This is a question I am needing help with as well, however mine is indoors. I had posted a call out to my readers titled Help With My Split Leafed Philodendron. One reader posted the following commment: "I have taken several successful cuttings from my split leaf plant. I cut so I have several leaves on the cutting, I make sure there are some short nodes on the cutting. In water these nodes turn into roots. I just put it into regular hard water from the city tap. I wait a couple weeks to see growth and then let roots get substantially long before transplanting. The cut part of the plant starts to regrow where it had been cut. I have taken some cuttings half-way down and everything grew back fine."
Any other readers able to share?
Thanks,
drayas
I think mine finally died! My split leaf philodendron was inherited from my sister who bought it for her apartment a year before her death in 1978. Yep! 31 years! It has been kept outdoors in a large planter ever since then. This year, before it's spring re-emmergence, I re-potted it in fresh Miracle-Gro potting soil. It's been over 3 weeks of 70-degree weather with no sign of life (sigh).
robert z,
first off i think maracle grow could kill anything. Maybe too much sun and or water when trasplanted?
I have a split leaf philodendron that is about 25 yrs. old. I refuse to put it in a larger pot. It is in a yard tub (with 2 rope handles) so that I can move it outside in the Summer. I bring it inside again in Oct. The plant is about 5x5' or more. Some of the leaves are turning pale and I have the feeling that it is root bound. Could this be? It also has many of those brown roots and is getting many new starts. Help. Do I have to repot it? I use Osmocote for fertilizer. I live in Summit county, Ohio. bc
I have had my splitleaf since 1994, it traveled from Michigan with me in 2001, did not grow bigger for a while, moved to a place where the window are big and it is now in a 50lb root bound pot. since 1994 it has grown 2 stalks totaling 4 and they are 2-3 inches around and about 3ft tall but covers a spot of 5ft and growing. Since being root bound it has grown 5 shoots that are now about a ft tall. I am afraid to cut it and cannot repot by myself. I found after several months a pot that will hold it, with about 75lbs of dirt, but what else do I use to repot it?
I have a beautiful split leave bush that I have recently cut and starting an experimental project see how it does... but a while ago i was givin a split of another one to which it seemed to be the same as the "split leaved philodendron" but this one almost two years old has done nothing but grow upward... so what is this vine called? Does it take the same care, can i remove the external roots the same? Thank you! Emerald.
Emerald,
Keep us posted on your experiment. I need to trim mine and just haven't.
Your other plant, may in fact be a split leafed philodendron. I was told they are a vine type plant, yet mine never has vined.
Can any of my readers help us out?
Thanks,
drayas
There are 2 different philodendrons being discussed here. One type is a vine with small (2-3" leaves) on it. The other is the split-leaf philodendron that can grow into a huge plant with a tropical palm type of stem/trunk.
Well my experimant is taking really good... I took One slipping of my motherin laws Philo and started my own not sure if it would take... well its alomost 2 years later and is about a foot tall with 4 leafs. The leafs are starting to get bigger and bigger as they bloom, BUT none of them have splits in them, i do believe it will when they get older, but as for the vine, i have snipped the outter support roots, and so far its doing good... I would love to hear from someone who has a Philodendron Vine, They are so beautiful and get so big....They are also splitting two leaves a month,,,love it!!! Emerald
Help!! I've got a big beautiful SLP but recently the leaves have started to go yellow and then black. I haven't moved it, re potted it or change the watering schedule at all. Any idea's what could be causing this? It's in a medium lit area and appeared to love it until now.
hello. I have a couple split leaf philo's.(or at least I think they are) pretty possative though. One is at least 30 yrs old. and the others are plants I removed from the oldest ones pot that just appeared up from the soil. all are growing great but I have NEVER seen any of them flower.. this is the cause for my wonder if it is even split leaves. what helps inspire flower growth? and also.. how do they reproduce? I have read about cutting and such but I need more info on how and when to make cuttings... thanks.
shawn001,
Mine never has flowered either. From what I've read online it seems those that have flowered tend to be those grown outdoors.
Anyone have any tips on how to get indoor varieties to bloom?
Thanks,
drayas
I have had a split leaf philodendron for several years and leave it outside year round in zone 8 Texas. Frost kills the leaves but then it comes back. Is to big to repot but have new starts coming from old stalk. Can they be cut off and restarted? Has never flowered.
Hello,
Unfortunately, I have no experience with houseplants outdoors. I live in Wisconsin, too hard of winters.
Can any of my readers give us a hand?
Thanks,
drayas
i repotted my philodendron two months ago - a bigger pot and new potting soil - it has since grown a yellow fungus/mold on the dirt.
what could this be and how can i get rid of it?
thanks, mica
Mica,
Have you watered the plant more frequently? Usually fungus comes from too much moisture. Remove the fungus and mold and try watering less frequently.
Thanks,
drayas
Hi drayas
Yes i have watered it more frequently.. the poor plant had been watered too little for a while and desperately needed a bigger pot. So i guess now i have over watered it? I will remove the fungus and water the recommended once a week/ 10 days --
do these plants appreciate the occasional splash with organic food/ fertiliser?
thank you!
mica
Mica,
About once a month I use Miracle Gro's houseplant food added to the water on mine.
Thanks,
drayas
Drayas, please explain the large roots (arms) which grow from the Split Leafed Philodendron. I need proof that these so called roots do not indicate the plant needs to be repotted. Thx. Cassandra9548
Cassandra9548,
Yes, these are simply external roots that the plant grows. I simply cut them off because they grow all over. It is not a sign it needs to be repotted. Just some extra roots the plant generates almost like anchors.
Thanks,
drayas
I have a split leafed philodendron that is approx. 5 feet all around. I have had the plant for 10 years. Is it possible to cut the stem/stock of the plant at the first leaf and re-root it?
I love my SLP and have had it for about 7 years now. My concern is, as with a lot of my house plants, is they grow crooked and branch out really weird. My poor SLP is so top heavy the entire plant is now drooping down and I don't know how to control it without hurting it. Do I just cut it all back and restart? It is a VERY healthy plant! Thanks for any advice.
I have inherited a very old split leaf philodendron (monstera) that my grandmother propagated from a "slip" that she was given on a visit to a local (Milwaukee) conservatory back in the 30's or 40's. My mother inherited the plant, but has been unable to give proper care to her plants and the poor thing has become spindly and droopy, with leaves that are are not splitting, and have poor coloration (leaves are green, but not the deep shiny quality that I remember as a child). I brought it home, and am wondering what I can do to save the plant, and propagate it so that I can pass it along to my children. Above all, I don't want to kill it - but suspect that it could use a repotting, some fresh soil and fertilizer. I'll be thrilled with whatever suggestions that you can offer.
Monstera deliciosa is called simply 'Split-leaf' or 'Hurricane Plant' or 'Swiss-Cheese Plant', but is not a philodendron.
Philodendron Selloum is the proper name for the 'Split-leafed Philodendron', also known as the 'Saddle-leafed Philodrendon for the way in which the large, wavy, deeply incised leaves are curved.
Personally, calling Monstera Deliciosa 'Split-leafed Monster' might help clarify things. Maybe.
In terms of controlling this plant, I am in need of help just like my readers. Mine (pictured above) had grown to around 5 ft by 4 ft and just took up to much space. So I gave it a major haircut and trimmed it way back. I then tried to train it to vine up a pole. I will try and post a picture. Overall, the plant is still healthy, however looks funny. I did this about 1 month ago, so not sure of the complete effects.
If any of my readers has tips on keeping these plants under control in size, please share!!!
Thanks,
drayas
It is truly spring in Colo. Mr Phillip Albert Dendron moved outside today. He is about 8ft in around and 5 ft tall.
I have a Monsteria that is well over 50 yrs old and came down from Canada. My son has a cutting. The original plant has been repotted twice over the years and eac time went into shock for about a month.
i just purchased a split leaf philodendron and water is dripping of the leaves, is this normal
About to repot my SLP for the first time-would like to start one or two other plants from plant "Henry"-any suggestions??
i have Split leafs outside. Some are growing big while others not taking and are yellowing. When a stem and leaf turns yellow or black do you remove the leaf or the entire stem. Also, I water it everyday about a gallon (arizona)
is it getting enough or too much water?
I have been able to successfully develop several split leaf philos off of one plant, but some of my plants have very skinny, flimsy leaves which seem to be growing in every direction possible. Can you please tell me how to correct this problem, or whether I need to prune the plant? Thank you so much!
I also have a split leaf and I was wondering if I could cut the long brown roots and put them in water to reroot?
I have heard that it is not good for the split leaf P. to have its leaves touching anything like a verandah railing or a wall. Is this true or just an old wive's tale?
All, as Drayas has explained, the long brown 'arms' are anchoring or support roots. They allow the plant to stabilize itself naturally. These plants like to wander or climb and the arms will actually burrow into soft bark to gain support! To control the plant just cut the excess length once or twice a year, too often will weaken the plant and it may 'give up'. Soft leaves generally mean too much moisture same as brown spots. Try letting it dry out for a couple weeks (2-3) before watering again. Happy cultivating! Xplorr
Post a Comment
<< Home