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Growing a philodendron to full maturity is quite an achievement. I remember my father being quite excited about it when he managed to do it, and I’ve shared the goal ever since.
If you’re thinking about doing it yourself, you may want to consider the time commitment and whether you are prepared for the wait!
A philodendron takes around 15 years to mature and will flower when it reaches that age. The blooming of the philodendron indicates that it is time to reproduce. The philodendron will open 2-3 times during the blooming season in an attempt to attract a pollinator.
This article will discuss why the philodendron reaching maturity is significant and how we can help the process as plant owners. I will also give essential tips for taking care of your philodendron to make sure that you can get it to adulthood.
What Happens When a Philodendron Matures?
When a philodendron matures, it produces flowers. Philodendrons can’t self-pollinate. That means they need help from an external pollinator to fertilize themselves and create more philodendron seeds.
What counts as a pollinator is different depending on the type of philodendron you have and where it is in the world. For example, scarab beetles pollinate Brazilian philodendrons.
There is still hope for your philodendrons for those who don’t live in Brazil and don’t have much access to scarab beetles! You can pollinate your philodendron using the following methods:
Pollinate by Hand
Pollination can occur simply by rubbing pollen by hand on the spadix of the flower. You will need to aim for the lower part of the spadix as this is considered the female part.
The spadix is the long stick shape protruding from the bloom of your philodendron. Plant owners are more likely to get to the spadix when the flower opens late in the evening or early morning. While it might be inconvenient to do this process at night, the success will be worth the effort.
If you are looking for more help with pollinating your philodendron, you can check out this video by Gabriella Plants.
Propagation From the Stem
Stem cutting is propagating a removed piece of stem from the plant. If successful, the stem grows a new root system and into an entirely new plant. Stem cutting successfully clones the DNA of the original plant and grows another from the cutting.
Although stem cutting is an effective way of reproducing a philodendron, it takes time. If you want to do this a lot faster, I recommend that you try hand pollinating instead.
If you would like more help with propagating, check out this 15-minute video by Ann Octav.
How To Care for Your Philodendron
Getting a philodendron to maturity doesn’t have to be a chore if you know how to give the appropriate care.
You’re in luck if you’re like me and want both an easy life and a beautiful indoor jungle! The philodendron is a relatively low-maintenance plant to care for, and with these handy tips, you will have them thriving!
Three Steps to a Healthy Philodendron
Follow these simple steps to ensure your philodendron stays healthy:
- Sunlight. Philodendrons need a bright spot in their home with plenty of indirect sunlight and away from alternative heat sources such as fans and radiators.
- Water. Following an adequate water schedule will provide the philodendron with the proper hydration and nutrients. When considering your water schedule, it is vital to remember that you do not need water as frequently in the colder months as this could lead to overwatering.
- Fertilizer. Ensure that you are using a fertilizer every month in the Spring and Summer months, reducing it to six to eight weeks in the Fall and Winter months.
If you are looking for a suitable fertilizer for your philodendron, I recommend this Noot Organic Liquid Fertilizer. It contains all of the high-quality macronutrients for a fraction of the price of regular fertilizers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Water a Philodendron?
Watering your philodendron is one of the most important things you need to do for its welfare. Ensuring that you give it the right amount of water at the right time will ensure that it grows rapidly and does not develop diseases.
It would be best if you tried to water your philodendron once every ten days or when the top layer of soil has dried out. Testing the soil’s moisture is essential when watering a philodendron. Owners need to be aware of overwatering, the primary cause of root rot.
You can avoid overwatering if you follow the tips laid out in this helpful watering guide for your philodendron:
| Condition of Philodendron | Frequency of watering |
| Newly planted seedling | Five days |
| Four week old seedling | One week |
| Plants up to two years old | Two weeks |
| Plants over two years old | Three-four weeks |
| During hot weather/ climate | Six – eight days |
| During cold weather/ climate | Four weeks – essential to test soil moisture before watering. |
| After repotting | Water after one week |
How Do I Know if My Philodendron Is Not Getting Enough Light?
Aside from water, light will be the next important thing for your philodendron. As mentioned before, the optimum light is bright, indirect sunlight. However, it can be challenging for plant owners to know if their philodendron is getting enough light with such vague terms.
If your philodendron is not getting enough light, it will grow slowly and be prone to mold. Your plant may also take in less water than usual. The link between light exposure and water consumption is essential in your plant, and one will always affect the other.
I have an alternative for those who live in reasonably dark conditions. Philodendrons grow very well under artificial light, which helps when thinking about a good spot for your plant.
Suppose you are looking for an artificial light for your philodendron. In that case, I recommend the Lampolar Store Grow Lights for Indoor Plants.
These particular lights work with an app that allows you to control them from your smart device. That makes it a great way to maintain the amount of light your plants have.
Why Is My Philodendron Growing So Slowly?
Your philodendron might be growing slowly because it is not getting enough fertilizer. Philodendrons require fertilizer to replenish essential macronutrients, so be sure to fertilize monthly in the growing season.
What Temperature Is Best for My Philodendron?
The temperature that is best for your philodendron is 70 – 80°F (20 – 25°C) during the day and above 55°F (12°C) at night. While philodendrons prefer warm temperatures, you should not place them in front of artificial heat sources like heaters, which may burn the leaves.
Conclusion
Growing a philodendron to maturity will take up to 15 years. When it finally reaches adulthood, the plant will start to flower.
Philodendrons that reach maturity can reproduce and create seeds. Due to not being self-pollinators, they will need assistance from you either by hand pollinating or stem cutting.
However, a neglected or unhealthy philodendron will never reach maturity. The most critical factors that plant owners must consider are:
- Light
- Water
- Fertilizer
Ensuring that their philodendron has access to these things will ensure that it becomes a beautiful, blooming adult.