These are chatty plants - they’ll tell you exactly what they need.
Not overly sensitive - can been moved outside to shady spots on nice days without getting stressed
Philodendron care incorporates three basic needs: sunlight, water and fertilizer.
Sunlight – Set the plant in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Find a position near a window where the sun’s rays never actually touch the foliage. While it’s normal for older leaves to yellow, if this happens to several leaves at the same time, the plant may be getting too much light. On the other hand, if the stems are long and leggy with several inches between leaves, the plant probably isn’t getting enough light.
Water – When growing philodendron plants, allow the top inch (2.5 cm.) of soil to dry out between waterings. The length of your index finger to the first knuckle is about an inch (2.5 cm.), so inserting your finger into the soil is a good way to check the moisture level. Droopy leaves can mean that the plant is getting too much or not enough water. But the leaves recover quickly when you correct the watering schedule.
Fertilizer – Feed philodendron houseplants with a balanced liquid foliage houseplant fertilizer that contains macro-nutrients. Water the plant with the fertilizer monthly in spring and summer and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter. Slow growth and small leaf size is the plant’s way of telling you that it isn’t getting enough fertilizer. Pale new leaves usually indicate that the plant isn’t getting enough calcium and magnesium, which are essential micro-nutrients for philodendrons.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Philodendron Houseplants: How To Care For A Philodendron Plant https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/philodendron/caring-for-philodendrons.htm
Pothos or a Philodendron?
Philodendron houseplants are often confused with pothos plants. While the leaves of these two plants are similar in shape, the stems of pothos plants are grooved, while those of philodendrons are not. New philodendron leaves emerge surrounded by a leaf sheath, which eventually dries and falls off. Pothos leaves don’t have this sheath. Pothos also need brighter light and warmer temperatures, and are frequently sold in hanging baskets.
Pruning
Philos don’t usually require pruning but it can be done if they become too big or need to be freshened up.
One rule of thumb: If you aren’t sure your plant needs pruning, wait. Pruning a philodendron shouldn’t be done if it isn’t really necessary, and a good pruning job should never detract from the overall appearance of the plant. In other words, your work really shouldn’t be noticeable. Cutting back philodendron plants is beneficial if the plant is taking up too much space in the room, or if the plant looks long and leggy. This type of pruning is best done in spring or fall. You can safely give your philodendron a light trim any time of year to remove yellowing leaves and trim spindly growth. Before pruning philodendron plants, you’ll want to sterilize pruning tools. This simple but all-important step takes seconds and helps prevent spread of disease-causing bacteria that may affect the health of your philodendron. To sterile pruning tools, remove any mud or debris, then simply give the tools a quick dip in a solution of nine parts household bleach to one part water. Bleach can be corrosive, so rinse tools in clear water after they’re sterilized. Alternatively, wipe tools with regular rubbing alcohol, which is effective and not as corrosive as bleach
Trimming
Cut off the longest, oldest stems, or any stems that are leggy or have a lot of yellowing or dead leaves. In some cases, very old stems may be completely leafless. Make cuts using a sharp, sterile knife, scissors or pruning shears, cutting where the stem meets the main part of the plant. If you can’t see where the base of the stem connects, cut the stem at soil level. If your philodendron is the vining type, use pruning shears or simply pinch the tips of vines. This quickie type of pruning will neaten up the plant and encourage bushier, healthier growth. Always cut or pinch growth just above a leaf node, which is the point on a stem where a new leaf or stem grows. Otherwise, you’ll be left with a lot of unsightly stubs.
