Philodendron Brasil Care Guide: Everything You Need To Know
PHILODENDRON BRASIL
AKA variegated heartleaf philodendron
The Philodendron Brasil offers a colorful twist on a classic houseplant and is surprisingly easy to care for. With heart-shaped leaves in different shades of green and yellow, this trailing plant earned its name thanks to the close resemblance to the Brazilian flag. Read on to learn everything you need to know about taking care of your Philodendron Brasil from the amount of water it needs, its light requirements, and how to overcome the common issues you might encounter along the way.
What type of light does the Philodendron Brasil need?
While it can survive in low light conditions your Brasil will show its variegation best in medium to bright indirect light. Be careful not to give them too much sun though, placing them in direct sunlight can cause leaf burn.
How to water your Philodendron Brasil
Water about once a week and allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, and note that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.
Is the Philodendron Brasil a fast grower?
This plant is indeed considered a fast grower. You can either keep you Brasil in a hanging pot and let its leaves trail down or you can train it to grow upwards by using supports. Fertilize your Philodendron Brasil 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.
Common problems with Philodendron Brasils
How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Philodendron Brasil
Philodendrons are known for being easy to care for, read on for tips on how to keep yours looking full and colorful over time.
Pruning Philodendrons
Remove dry or dead leaves all year round, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. When pruning your philodendron, use sharp, clean shears and cut any excessive growth at the base of the stem.
Cleaning Your Plant
Take each leaf between two soft tissue cloths and wipe off the top to reveal a healthy shine (also helps the plant soak in more light!).
How to repot your Philodendron
Houseplants grow much slower than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every 2-3 years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.
When to repot - Philodendrons are known for their rapid growth. You’ll know when it’s time to repot yours when its roots are growing our of the pot.
Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow outwards more, find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. If you want your plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.
Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.
How to propagate a Philodendron Brasil
If you’re interested in making more of your Philodendron Brasil either for yourself or a friend rest assured that propagating this plant is very easy. Though there are many ways to do this, water propagation is generally the easiest way to go about it. Follow these instructions to propagate your Philodendron Brasil:
Select a stem to propagate - Using sharp, clean scissors or shears, cut an inch or two below a node(these are the areas where leaves attach to the vines).
Place in water - Find a clear glass and fill it with water. Submerge only the stem of the vine, any leaves that are sitting in the water will rot!
Place in a bright area and wait! - Avoid any direct sun. You may need to change the water out every few days to keep it fresh. It usually takes just a few days for the root to start growing.
Transfer to soil - After a week or so, transfer to indoor potting soil. A small pot is best — no larger than 6” in diameter.
Keep hydrated - During the first few weeks, or until your plant feels firmly rooted in its soil, regularly water and drain your Philodendron. The soil should be just barely moist to the touch at all times.
Philodendron Brasil
An incredibly resilient tropical plant, this colorful variation of the heart-leaf philodendron is the perfect choice for beginners.