Philodendron Moonlight Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide

Do you have an affinity for philodendrons but wish to learn more about one particular species? The Philodendron Moonlight is super cool, with colorful foliage and fascinating behavior. Plus, it’s a beaut that would look great in your home or office. This blog is all about how to take care of and grow Philodendron Moonlight. We’ll cover things like light needs, watering routine, the right potting mix, how to trim it, and a bunch more! We’ll also chat about common issues and how to fix ’em. So, if you’re all in to learn about taking care of Philodendron Moonlight, keep on reading!

Philodendron Moonlight care overview

Botanical Name	Philodendron ‘Moonlight’
Common Name	Moonlight Philodendron
Family	Araceae
Genus	Philodendron
Mature Size	Up to 2 feet tall
Soil Type	Moist and free-draining
Soil pH	5.0 – 7.0 (Acid – Neutral)
Native Area	Central and South America
Temperature	65 to 75°F
Light	Bright, indirect light
Watering	Moderate
Humidity	60-80%
Fertilizer	Once a month in the spring and summer months by all-purpose balanced liquid fertilizer
Propagation	Divisions or stem cuttings
Toxicity	Toxic to humans and toxic to pets when ingested

How to care for Philodendron Moonlight?

To make your Philodendron Moonlight healthy and looking its best, it needs some love and care. Here’s what you gotta remember to keep your plant healthy.

Light Requirements

Your Philodendron Moonlight needs plenty of soft light throughout the day. Light is super important for this plant to grow, ’cause it needs it for photosynthesis. A room that’s got lots of daylight is perfect for Philodendron Moonlight, but avoid having direct sunlight on it for more than two or three hours a day. If its leaves start going yellow, it could be getting too much harsh light and should be moved somewhere with a bit less sun.

You can also use artificial lights like LEDs or fluorescents for your Philodendron Moonlight. Just be sure not to place the plant too close to them, ’cause that could burn the leaves or make them change color. If you’re not sure about the lighting for your Philodendron Moonlight, it’s a good idea to ask someone who knows their stuff.

Soil

Philodendron Moonlight needs soil that drains well ’cause that’s what it’s used to in its natural rainforest home. The soil should be light and fluffy, letting lots of air get to the roots. A mix of peat moss, perlite, and coco coir works really well. You can use up to 50% coco coir to make sure the soil drains quickly and stops the plant from getting too soggy. Check the soil often to see if it drains well and add more perlite or sand if you need to.

Watering

The tropical plant Philodendron Moonlight needs regular watering to survive. Here’s the general watering advice for this plant:

• You should water your Philodendron Moonlight once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Don’t overwater it or you could end up with root rot.
• When you water it, keep going until water starts draining out of the bottom of the pot. That way, all the roots get a good soak.
• Water quality: If at all feasible, use distilled or filtered water because the plant is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in municipal water supplies.
• Philodendron Moonlight loves humid places. You can up the humidity by putting a tray of water near the plant or using a humidifier.
• Your Philodendron Moonlight should be in a pot with enough holes in the bottom so water doesn’t sit in the soil.

Remember, every plant is different and might need more or less water depending on where it is and how it’s growing. So, always check the soil before you water and change your routine if you need to.

Temperature

Philodendron Moonlight likes it warm and humid, with temperatures anywhere from 65°F to 85°F (18°C – 29°C). To make it feel at home like it’s in a tropical rainforest, try to keep it around 75-80°F (24-27°C) during the day and a bit cooler at night.

But watch out, don’t let the plant get too chilly, especially temperatures below 65°F (18°C). A fast drop in temperature can freak out the plant and mess up its leaves.

So, it’s super important to keep your Philodendron Moonlight in a toasty, steady place, away from cold drafts and air vents, which can mess with the temperature. If needed, you can use a heater or a humidifier to keep the plant at the perfect temperature and humidity levels.

Humidity

Philodendron Moonlight is a tropical plant and loves lots of humidity. It needs about 50% to 70% humidity to grow and stay healthy. Low humidity can make the leaves go brown, dry up, or even drop off.

Here’s how you can crank up the humidity levels around your Philodendron Moonlight:

• Put a tray of water near the plant: As the water goes up in the air, the humidity around the plant goes up.
• Group plants together: This can help create a tiny microclimate with more humidity.
• Use a humidifier: A humidifier is a super easy way to keep the humidity levels around your Philodendron Moonlight steady.
• Spray the plant: Use a spray bottle filled with filtered or distilled water to spray the plant. But watch out, too much water on the leaves can lead to fungal growth and other issues.

Keep the leaves of your Philodendron Moonlight clean and free of dust so the plant can soak up moisture better. Also, make sure the soil drains well so you don’t end up with waterlogged roots, which can cause root rot.

Fertilizer

In the hot summer months, you’ll need to give your Philodendron more fertilization than in spring and fall. Fertilize it every two weeks in the summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. This will give it the nutrients it needs to grow and stay healthy.

Always follow the instructions on the fertilizer bottle when feeding it and never give it too much or you can burn and damage the roots. Always water your Philodendron before feeding it, so that the fertilizer can get to the roots easier.

Repotting

Repotting your Philodendron Moonlight is super important for its health and growth. Repot the plant when it’s got too big for its pot, which might take a couple of years. When you do repot, choose a pot that’s two sizes bigger than the current one and make sure to put fresh soil in the new pot. Use a lightweight soil that drains well and add some Philodendron-specific fertilizer to the new soil. Repotting Moonlight can really boost your plant’s health and growth, and keep it looking fab for a long time.

When you’re repotting your Philodendron Moonlight, try not to mess with the roots too much. Carefully take the plant out of its current pot, and try not to hurt any of the roots. Repotting is a good time to check out the health of the roots and trim off any that are damaged or dead before putting it in the new pot. Once you’ve repotted, give your plant a good watering. Repotting can be a stressful time for plants, so they might need some extra TLC afterward.

Pruning

Pruning is a key part of looking after your Philodendron Moonlight, as it helps keep its shape and encourage healthy growth. Here’s some advice for trimming your Philodendron Moonlight:

• Remove dead or yellowing leaves: Chuck any dead, yellow, or damaged leaves from the plant. This will help new growth and stop diseases from spreading.
• Trim leggy stems: If your Philodendron Moonlight has lengthy, leggy stems, you can cut them back to make it look bushier.
• Cut back overgrown vines: If your Philodendron Moonlight has vines that have got too long, you can cut them back to the length you want. Make sure to cut just above a leaf joint to encourage new growth.
• Use clean and sharp tools: Use clean and sharp pruning scissors or shears to avoid damaging the plant or spreading diseases.
• Prune in spring or summer: It’s best to trim your Philodendron Moonlight in spring or summer when it’s actively growing. Avoid trimming in fall or winter, as this can slow down the plant’s growth and make it more prone to damage.

Remember to only get rid of up to 1/3 of the plant’s leaves at a time to avoid stressing it out. With the right trimming techniques and timing, your Philodendron Moonlight can stay healthy and vibrant for a long time.

Related: Philodendron Lemon Lime Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide

Moonlight Philodendron Propagation

Making a new Philodendron Moonlight is pretty easy and can be done in a few simple steps.

• Start by taking a stem cutting from the parent plant where it joins the main stalk.
• Put the cuttings in a vase of water and wait for a few weeks, during which you should start to see roots growing from the cutting.
• When the roots are at least two inches long, carefully move the cutting to a small pot filled with moist soil.

Make sure that the soil is just a bit damp – not too wet or dry – and water regularly. If offsets form at the base of your Moonlight Philodendron shrub, they can easily be separated from the parent plant and planted on their own in a small pot.

Philodendron Moonlight Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Philodendron Moonlight plants can get common bugs and plant diseases like mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, spider mites, powdery mildew and root rot.

1. Mealybugs usually feed on the sap of a plant’s leaves and stems, causing the foliage to change color or growth to be stunted.
2. Aphids usually feed on the underside of leaves and can cause yellowing or wilting of leaves. Scale insects attach themselves to stems and can be spotted by the presence of small gray spots.
3. Spider mites feed on sap from the underside of leaves, causing yellow spots and webbing between veins.
4. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that shows up as white, powdery spots on the tops of leaves.
5. Root rot is caused by watering too much and causes the roots to become mushy, discolored and eventually die.

To prevent or lower the risk of bugs and diseases, it’s important to look after Philodendron Moonlight plants properly. They should be planted in soil that drains well and be watered regularly, but not too often. They should also be in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight or shade depending on the type you have. Making sure there’s good air circulation will also help lower the risk of diseases. Keeping the plant healthy by cutting off any dead leaves or stems can also help to stop bugs and diseases from setting in.

Moonlight Philodendron Care Common Problems

Moonlight Philodendron is a type of climbing tropical vine that can be grown indoors. It’s got small, heart-shaped leaves with silver markings on ’em and grows best in bright indirect sunlight and moist soil. However, like all plants, it can run into certain care problems if you’re not taking good care of it. Some common issues include:

• Overwatering: This can lead to root rot, which will turn the leaves yellow and stunt growth. To avoid this, always make sure the soil is totally dry before watering your moonlight philodendron again.
• Underwatering: If you don’t water often enough, the leaves of your moonlight philodendron will start to turn yellow and fall off. Make sure to check the soil moisture at least once a week and water your plant if necessary.
• Too much sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch, which will make the leaves of your moonlight philodendron look brown or burnt around the edges. To avoid this, always place your plant in bright indirect sunlight.
• Pests: Spider mites and mealybugs can be a problem for your moonlight philodendron if they’re not dealt with quickly. If you notice any signs of bugs, treat the plant with an organic insecticide ASAP.
• Poor drainage: If your moonlight philodendron is planted in a pot with poor drainage, the roots will be sitting in water for too long and can cause root rot. To avoid this, always make sure that you’re using a pot with good drainage holes.

FAQ about Philodendron Moonlight care

How often should I water my philodendron moonlight?

The frequency of watering your philodendron moonlight depends on various things, like the size of the pot and the environment it’s in (humidity levels, temperature etc.). Generally watering your plant every two to three days is a good starting point. As the plant grows up it may need more or less water, so it’s best to keep an eye on soil moisture levels and adjust as needed.

Is Moonlight Philodendron rare?

Yes, Moonlight Philodendron is a new RARE Aroid. It has been getting popular recently, due to its unique variegated leaves and its beauty. The plant is highly wanted but can be hard to find in some areas.

How fast does philodendron moonlight grow?

Philodendron moonlight grows at a slow to medium speed, depending on the care and environment it’s in. It can reach up to 60 cm (2 ft) tall and wide when fully grown with proper care.

Does philodendron moonlight climb?

Yes, Philodendron moonlight has strong aerial roots and will climb if given something like a trellis or stake to support it. This makes it perfect for hanging baskets, wall planters and other vertical displays.

Concluded, Philodendron Moonlight care is a piece of cake if you follow the basic rules of watering, fertilizing and providing humidity. For more tips on indoor plant care, check out the Famiplants blog or contact us for expert advice.