Philodendron Giganteum Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide

Tropical plants are a cool fit for any backyard or home, giving lush leaves and vibrant colors that can turn a boring space into an exotic paradise. One plant in particular is a massive standout – the Philodendron Giganteum. These huge ones are sure to make your yard a showstopper, with their thick leafy growth and draping growing style. So if you’re considering adding one of these vining giants to your garden, this Super Handy Guide to Grow and Care for this Philodendron Giganteum is for you!

Here we will give you all the stuff you need for growing and looking after them well. From how much light needed, soil advice, how to multiply them and so much more…you’ll be up-to date on everything related P.Giganteum before you know it!

About Philodendron Giganteum

Philodendron Giganteum is a huge species of philodendron that comes from the Caribbean and South America. It is most commonly found in Brazil and is easily recognizable by its super big, heart-shaped leaves. These leaves can grow up to 3 feet in length and 2 feet in width, making Philodendron Giganteum one of the largest philodendron species out there. This plant was talked about by this guy Schott back in 1856.

Philodendron giganteum is famous for being thermogenetic, or having the ability to generate its own heat, in addition to its astounding size. A yummy smell that it’s known to release may also draw pollinators. It requires damp soil that drains well and bright, but not direct light, just like other philodendrons, to grow. Although it can also be grown outside in tropical weather, the plant is often grown as a houseplant.

Philodendron Giganteum Care Overview

Botanical Name	Philodendron Giganteum
Common Name	Giant Philodendron, Philodendron Jose Buono
Family	Araceae
Genus	Philodendron
Mature Size	Can grow up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide
Soil Type	Well-draining, moist soil
Soil pH	5.5 and 7.5
Native Area	Found in the Caribbean and South America
Temperature	60-75°F (15-24°C
Light	Bright, indirect light
Watering	When the top inch of soil feels dry, water it. Do not allow the soil to completely dry out or become waterlogged.
Humidity	60-80%
Fertilizer	During the growing season, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month.
Propagation	Stem cuttings
Toxicity	Toxic to pets and humans if ingested

How to care for Philodendron Giganteum?

Philodendron Giganteum is a popular houseplant that is valued for its lush, vibrant leaves. To keep your big Philodendron in tip-top shape, there are some basic care tips you should follow.

Light Requirements

When it comes to the light needs for Philodendron Giganteum, indirect sunlight is best. It is best to keep the plant out of direct sun, which could burn or scorch the leaves. While this species doesn’t need too much light, not too bright or too dim light may still be beneficial as they can promote overall growth.

Place the plant in a spot that gets indirect sunlight for at least several hours each day to make sure it stays healthy. A few hours of direct morning or evening sun is also okay, but be sure to keep a close eye on the leaves and watch out for any signs of damage.

The amount of fake light you’re providing should also be considered when setting up an indoor space for your big Philodendron. Since too much light can freak the plant out, light from lamps and fixtures should be bright but not blinding.

Soil

When picking soil for your Philodendron Giganteum, go for a mix that’s light and fluffy. It should be able to hold water but not get all soggy. The perfect mix has peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, just what’s needed to let enough air and water flow. These ingredients make sure your Philodendron Giganteum gets the food it needs while protecting it from getting too much water.

If you want to help with water flow, you might throw in a layer of small rocks at the bottom of your pot before you start filling with soil. This trick keeps too much water away from your plant’s roots and stops problems with root rot or germs. With the right soil and water flow, your Philodendron Giganteum will have what it needs to do really well in its new home!

Watering

When watering your Philodendron Giganteum, it’s really important that the soil doesn’t get all soggy. You should add water slowly and let it fully drain out the bottom of the pot every time. During the growing season (spring and summer), you’ll need to water more often, but be careful not to give too much water as this can lead to root rot.

When winter rolls around and the plant is sleeping, you’ll want to cut down on watering to let the soil dry out completely in between. How often you water will depend on things like how bright it is, the temperature, and how damp it is.

By keeping these things in mind and checking the condition of the soil in your pot, you can make sure your Philodendron Giganteum gets just the right amount of water.

Temperature

When caring for a Philodendron Giganteum, temperature is an important factor to consider. This species of philodendron prefers temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Keeping the plant in areas with temperatures below 55°F (12°C) can cause its leaves to turn yellow and fall off, so avoid placing it in drafty areas or areas with sudden temperature changes. Temperature fluctuations can also trigger dormancy in the plant, so making sure to keep temperatures constant is important for its monstera.

Humidity

Philodendron Giganteum in an environment with higher humidity levels is essential for its long term health. Humidifying the air around your plant is easy enough to do – start by misting the leaves regularly or placing it close to a humidifier, or try something a little different by placing a tray filled with pebbles and water closest to the plant to partially act as an additional humidifier. Either of these techniques should help increase the humidity levels in your home and make humidity for Philodendron Giganteum even happier!

Fertilizer

For Philodendron Giganteum, a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer is recommended.

1. Choose a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K), such as a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 fertilizer.
2. Reduce the fertilizer solution to half its original strength. This entails using half of the fertilizer package’s recommended dosage. Overfertilization can harm the plant, so stick to the recommended dosage.
3. Before fertilizing, thoroughly water your Philodendron Giganteum. This keeps the soil moist and prevents the fertilizer from burning the roots.
4. Avoiding the leaves, pour the fertilizer solution around the base of the plant. Apply the fertilizer evenly throughout the entire pot.
5. Discard any excess fertilizer solution that drains from the bottom of the pot. Root rot can occur if the plant is left in standing water.
6. Fertilize your Philodendron Giganteum once a month with a half-strength fertilizer solution during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce the frequency to once every two months or stop feeding entirely during the winter, when the plant is dormant.
7. Keep an eye out for over-fertilization symptoms, such as brown leaf tips or stunted growth. Reduce the frequency of fertilization or use a weaker solution if you notice any of these symptoms.

Following these steps will ensure that your Philodendron Giganteum receives the nutrients it requires to thrive while avoiding over-fertilization.

Repotting

Before changing your Philodendron Giganteum’s pot, it’s key to check out the size of the current pot and soil. If the pot is small or if there are clear signs of root overcrowding, then it’s time to change your plant’s pot into a bigger container. Spring is the best time ’cause it’s the start of a new growth phase, however, any time of year works as long as you’re careful.

To change your Philodendron Giganteum’s pot, pick a pot that’s a size bigger than the current pot and stuff it with fresh soil. Carefully get the plant from its current pot and carefully untangle the roots before planting it into a new pot. Give a good soaking after changing the pot and put it in a spot with good light, warmth and humidity. Changing your Philodendron Giganteum’s pot every 2-3 years can help keep it happy and thriving!

Pruning

1. Begin by checking out how your plant is doing overall. Spot any dead, sick, or hurt leaves or stems, and any too crowded areas or growth you don’t want. Get a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears or scissors ready. Give the blades a wipe with rubbing alcohol so you don’t spread any diseases.
2. Choose which parts of the plant you wanna get rid of. Chop off the growth you don’t want back to the bottom of the plant or to a healthy leaf or node. Make a clean cut at a slight angle, avoiding crushing the stem or leaving a stub. For larger stems or branches, use a pruning saw.
3. If you want to encourage thicker growth or make the plant smaller, cut back healthy stems or branches by up to one-third of their length. Make sure to cut just above a leaf or node to encourage new growth. Once you’re done trimming, get rid of any mess from the pot or the plant’s surface. Wipe the blades of your pruning shears or scissors with rubbing alcohol to disinfect them.
4. Keep an eye on your plant for any signs of stress or sickness after pruning. Water your plant like usual, and think about adding a bit of plant food to help new growth.

   By doing these steps, you can help your Philodendron Giganteum to stay good-looking and healthy while controlling its size and shape.

Related: Philodendron Burle Marx Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide

Giganteum Philodendron Propagation

Propagating Giganteum Philodendrons is fairly straightforward, but there are a few steps you must take to ensure success.

1. Start by snipping a good-looking stem or branch from a grown Philodendron Giganteum. Find a stem with a couple of nodes (those little bumps where leaves or roots might sprout).
2. Cut it cleanly just under a node. Make sure you use a clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. The cut piece should be around 6 inches long.
3. Take off the bottom leaves from the cut piece, but leave the top two or three. This helps cut down water loss and get new growth going.
4. Dip the end you’ve cut into rooting hormone powder. It helps new roots to grow.
5. Fill a small pot halfway with a good draining potting mix, like peat moss and perlite. Make a hole in the soil with a pencil or chopstick, then stick in the cutting.
6. Water it well, then cover it with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse. This keeps the cutting damp and stops it drying out.
7. Put the pot somewhere warm and bright, but away from direct sun. Keep checking the soil and water as needed to keep it moist.
8. After about a month to a month and a half, check for roots. If the cutting resists a gentle tug, you’ve got roots!
9. Once the cutting has roots, take off the plastic bag and slowly let it get more light. After a few weeks, you can move it to a bigger pot or plant it in the ground.

Philodendron Giganteum Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Even though the Philodendron giganteum is one tough cookie, it can still fall prey to some pests and diseases. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

• Spider mites: These teeny-weeny nasties love to hang out on indoor plants, causing leaves to go yellow or brown. Sometimes, you might even spot some webbing on the leaves. To deal with them, give your plant a good shower or use insecticidal soap.
• Mealybugs: They’re white, fluffy-looking bugs that hide in leaf corners and on the leaf’s underside. They suck the life out of the plant, leading to slower growth and leaves falling off. Rubbing alcohol or insecticidal soap can sort these guys out.
• Scale: These pests look like little bumps on your plant’s leaves and stems. They feed on the plant’s juices, leading to leaf yellowing and wilting. To treat them, just scrub off the scales with a cotton swab or toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol.
• Root rot: Overwatering or lousy drainage can cause the plant’s roots to rot, which shows up as wilting and leaf yellowing. To dodge this, make sure your plant’s soil drains well and let it dry out a bit between watering.
• Leaf spot: This fungus disease can cause yellow or brown spots on the plant’s leaves. To avoid it, don’t let the plant get too crowded and try not to wet the leaves directly.

Just keep a keen eye on your Philodendron giganteum, and deal with any problems as soon as you see them.

Philodendron Giganteum Care Common Problems

Even though the Philodendron giganteum is usually a resilient plant, it can run into some problems if its needs aren’t met. Here are some common problems and what to do about them:

• Brown leaf tips: Usually, these mean there’s not enough humidity or water. Boost the humidity by putting a water tray near the plant or spraying the leaves regularly. Make sure your plant’s not getting thirsty.
• Yellowing leaves: If the bottom leaves start going yellow, you might be watering too much or your drainage might not be up to scratch. Check the soil drains well and let it dry out a bit between watering.
• Wilting leaves: If the leaves start wilting, it could be a sign of root disease or not enough water. Keep an eye on the soil’s moisture and tweak your watering routine if needed. If the roots feel mushy or smell off, you’ll need to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
• Stunted growth: If your plant’s not growing as it should, it might not be getting enough fertilizer or light. Make sure it gets enough light during the growing season, and think about fertilizing every 2-4 weeks.
• Curled leaves: If the leaves start curling, it might be down to low humidity or nasty bugs like spider mites. If you need to, up the humidity or treat for bugs.

By regularly checking on your Philodendron giganteum and dealing with problems as soon as they pop up, you’ll keep it healthy and thriving.

Final Thoughts On Philodendron Giganteum Care

The Philodendron giganteum is a hardy houseplant that’s happy in most indoor spaces. Give it enough light and water, along with the right amount of fertilizer, and it’ll thrive, giving you years of enjoyment. If any problems arise, jump on them as soon as possible.

Philodendron giganteum care is essential for keeping the plant happy and healthy. Keeping an eye on it and understanding how to respond quickly will help you succeed in this task. Visit FamiPlants for helpful tips and ideas on Philodendron giganteum care.