Philodendron Squamiferum – Profile & 16 Care Guides
Philodendron Squamiferum Care Summary
| Light needs: | Medium to bright indirect light. |
| Watering needs: | Check weekly, water if to 50% of soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | A balanced fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. |
| Soil: | A well draining chunky mix. |
| Humidity: | 60%. |
| Temperature: | 15°C to 24°C (60-75°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of Rare Plant Shops. |
| Other names: | Hairy Philodendron, Red Bristle Philodendron. |
| Common issues: | Overwatering and underwatering causing leaf yellowing. |
Introduction
Philodendron squamiferum has five lobed green leaves.The four lobes at the top are smaller, while the one at the bottom is bigger. This aroid is not as common as others and may be harder to find. It comes from South America, especially from the top of Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana.
Philodendron Squamiferum Light Needs
Philodendron squamiferum needs medium to strong indirect light to keep making leaves that get bigger and bigger as it grows. It doesn’t need a lot of strong, bright light to grow, since it would normally grow under big trees in the jungle.
How Often To Water
The size of the pot your plant is in will tell you how long you should wait between waterings. You can just stick your finger in the soil to check if it’s dry, or you can buy a moisture meter for a more accurate reading.
Fertilizer
Philodendron squamiferum consumes less than other types of Philodendron.It also grows less quickly. So, just fertilize every 1.5 to 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer).
Choose a fertilizer that is well balanced or one that is made for tropical plants like Philodendrons. This will really help your Philodendron squamiferum grow.
Philodendron Squamiferum Soil
This philodendron requires light, sandy soil to thrive.Roots can hold on to bigger pieces, like the bark of an orchid. This will also speed up the drying process. Adding more perlite will also help get rid of moisture.
When to Repot
Philodendron squamiferum does not require a large container. because they live on top of other plants. They have smaller root systems and don’t like to be rooted in too much, so they can climb a moss pole.
If the growth of your Squamiferum stops or slows down and the roots are growing out of the drainage hole, you should repot it.
Humidity
As was already said, S. squamiferum is a plant that grows in the jungle. So, the happiest plant is the one with the most humidity. More than 60% is what you want.
Put a low-powered humidifier next to the plant to increase humidity without making the whole house too sticky. You could also put all of your tropical plants in the same pot.
As water from the soil evaporates, the humidity will naturally rise in this place. Make sure there are no pests around when you put plants together, because they can quickly take over.
Temperature
This kind of Philodendron does best at room temperature or a little bit warmer (75 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 degrees Celsius).
This plant can’t handle temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), so don’t leave it there for a long time.
How to Propagate Philodendron Squamiferum
Get the word out to all the nodes! When an aerial root and a leaf meet, they form a node. Make a cut on both sides of this area. Give the sharp edges some time to get tough.
Philodendron Squamiferum Growth Rate
They grow at a normal rate for a house plant.
Is It Toxic To Cats?
They are poisonous to cats and can make them throw up and feel numb if they eat them. If your pet eats any, you should call a vet right away.
Philodendron Squamiferum USDA Zone
In zones 9b–11, they can be grown outside all year.
Other Names
The Philodendron squamiferum is also called the Hairy Philodendron or Red Bristle Philodendron because of the red hairs on its stem. When buying, on the other hand, the full name will probably be used.
Where To Buy
Check out our list of shops that sell rare plants.
Philodendron Squamiferum Common Pests, Issues, and Treatments
If something is wrong, the leaves of Squamiferum will tell you for sure. The leaves will turn yellow, black, or brown if the plant has root rot. Check your soil to make sure it isn’t too compacted or holding on to too much water for too long.
Since the Squamiferum doesn’t need much fertilizer, too much could make the leaves turn brown. If this happens, give the plant more time between fertilizer applications and think about watering the soil to wash away some of the extra.
Spider mites are the most common pest to be on the lookout for.This pest spins tiny webs along the edges of the stem and leaves.
If you see this, spray your plant with neem oil that has been watered down. If the spider mites come back, keep treating them until they are gone. Remember that spider mites like dry places, so increasing humidity may help keep them away.
Philodendron squamiferum and other Philodendrons are most often affected by Erwinia blight. This is a bacterium that grows when the soil is too wet or there is too much humidity.
Because of this, it is most likely to happen in the summer, especially if you move your philodendron outside.
Erwinia blight is what makes brown, wet spots on the leaves or stem of your plant. To stop this, cut down on humidity and how often you water. Think about getting rid of infected places, especially if they are ugly or big.
FAQ’s
- It is named Philodendron Squamiferum because of the hairs on its stem. Squameus means “scaly” in Latin since the plant can appear this way. Another Philodendron that shares this trait is the Philodendron Verrucosum.
- The leaves can grow to a max of 18 inches in length. The entire plant, on the other hand, does not have a max size. It can easily grow to cover an entire tree.
