Both the pothos and philodendron are common houseplants; they brighten up any home or workspace and don’t require much care on a daily basis. While they look great in medium-sized pots, some people might like to see these plants in a massive form.
It’s possible to accomplish this by encouraging the growth of these species. If you do so, make sure to take proper care of them as well. Here are some steps to get you started:
Using a Nutritious Medium
Every plant needs a proper medium for growing; with pothos and philodendron, you won’t need to do much about the initial growth. Anyone can grow these plants with just a few cuttings. To get a massive size, however, you have to start with several cuttings in a single pot. Depending on the space you have, aim to get about ten to fifteen cuttings.
When you get the cuttings, they will probably be in a small or medium-sized pot. You’ll have to think about repotting them soon enough. It’s possible to grow these plants in just water, but they’ll grow fast in the soil. Since we want large, trailing plants, soil is the way to go.
We also need to choose a well-draining, nutritious potting soil for this job. Check the pH to be on the safe side; pothos and philodendron prefer a pH range of 6.1-6.5. You can stray a little from this range, but try to bring it up to the mark wherever possible. It goes without saying that the pots have to provide proper draining too.
Give A Lot Of Light
Houseplants like these may not need much light to survive, but giving them the right amount will help with their growth. Indirect sunlight is the best kind here, but make sure that it’s as bright as possible.
An ideal place will be near any window where there’s ample light filtering through. If the place is too dark, you’ll see a loss in variegation. Too much light, and your leaves will turn pale.
Maintain Proper Temperature
The best temperature range for pothos and philodendron plants is from seventy to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. With this, we have a high level of humidity that helps such plants to thrive. You can use a humidifier or some water with pebbles to create the right environment in case your local weather is too dry.
High temperatures are necessary for such plants due to their tropical nature. They can survive in slightly lower temperatures as well, but anything lower than fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit is likely to turn their leaves black and cause them to fall off.
No Overwatering or Underwatering
Too much water can stunt the growth of your plants, so make sure to let them dry out between watering sessions. Check the soil to see if it’s dry and only water if it is.
If you water too much, the soil may become waterlogged. The situation will then lead to root rot and might even destroy the plant completely. You can minimize this risk by letting the excess water drain out after a watering session. Keep a saucer underneath each pot and empty it about half an hour after watering the plant.
Maintain a watering schedule to make sure your plants get enough water as well. If they don’t get a sufficient amount, their leaves might curl up and go limp or drop away entirely. This will certainly not work for your goal of acquiring massive pathos or philodendrons.
Balanced Feeding
Pothos and philodendrons usually don’t require much feeding. As we’re aiming for quick and massive growth here, we can try giving them some balanced fertilizer every two or three months.
The fertilizer you use should ideally be water-soluble. If you’re not sure whether using fertilizer is advisable or not, test your soil beforehand. Many gardening stories have soil testing kits that you can use at home. These will help you determine if the soil is lacking in any nutrients. If the levels are too low, a good fertilizer can help you enhance the oil to promote further growth.
You may want to use organic fertilizer for various reasons. This will mean slower growth, but the growing medium will be a much healthier choice in the long term. Inorganic fertilizers might give you quicker results, but they might have adverse side effects for both the plants and the gardener. No matter what kind you end up choosing, however, make sure to read the instructions and use just the right amount according to your pot size.
Handle Pests ASAP
An invasion of pests can harm your plants and keep them from growing according to their potential. To stave off this effect, do away with pests as soon as you see them. Make a habit of checking your plants for any signs of pests and have some natural pesticides or insecticides handy. There are also several alternatives to pesticides if you don’t want to use chemicals at all.
While pothos and philodendron plants are both quite hardy, they’re not completely impervious to pests. You may expect mites, mealy bugs, caterpillars, scales, and thrips to attack those beautiful leaves at any time.
If you don’t want to use pesticides right away, try wiping the leaves with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol. Make the mixture weak so that it won’t affect the leaves. If that doesn’t work, try a natural insecticide by mixing a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap in about four cups of water. You may then put it in a spray bottle and cover the plant with the mixture. If you don’t have a spray bottle for now, use the solution to wipe the leaves.
Conclusion
The steps above will help your pothos and philodendron plants become as impressive as the kind you see in magazines. Put in a little effort today and you’ll be rewarded by the gorgeous sight of these plants in any space you like.