Philodendron Gigas Care And Secret Tips – Ultimate Guide
Philodendron Gigas Care: We are going to be discussing Philodendron Giga, another aroid Philodendron. It’s pronounced “fil-ohDEN-dron JY’gas.”
This plant can be grown indoors or outdoors in mild climates. This Philodendron, originally from Panama, can be grown in many climates.
The Philodendron Gigas requires a moderate amount of watering and should be kept well-watered during its growth period. It should be planted in well-drained, rich soil that can hold some moisture. This Philodendron should be kept out of direct sunlight. It will tolerate low light, but not excessive watering. During the growing season, water is moderate.
Because of its large leaves, this plant is often compared to Philodendron Melanochrysum. Philodendron Gigas requires little attention indoors or outdoors. It is a tropical plant that is easy to maintain.
This rare plant features velvety green leaves and yellow-brown speckles. Copper-coloured new leaves have white veins.
This plant is in great demand so don’t hesitate to get one. This is the largest of three Philodendron varieties. This plant is known for its large, tricoloured leaves.
It is best to mimic the natural environment of a houseplant to be successful in growing it. Continue reading to learn more about the ideal environment for Philodendron Gigas.
Philodendron Gigas Care Summary
| You need light: | Bright indirect sunlight. |
| Watering requirements: | Water every other week, and water only when 50% of the soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | In spring and summer, a balanced diet should be taken every 3-4 weeks. |
| Soil: | A well-draining potting mix. |
| Humidity: | 70%. |
| Temperature: | 12-30degC (54-86degF). |
| Where to Buy: | Check out our List of Rare Flower Shops. |
| Common issues | Overwatering can cause pests to appear on the leaves. |
Philodendron Gigas Plant Care
Soil
The most important parameter in any plant’s health is its soil. Make sure you plant your Philodendron Gigas in fertile, rich soil with all the nutrients.
It should be grown in a fast-draining mixture. To ensure that the Gigas plants thrive, the potting mixture should have high moisture retention. This climbing species thrives when it has a burlap pole or mossy support.
To create the perfect mix for your Gigas plants, you can combine the following ingredients in equal amounts:
- Worm castings
- Orchid bark
- Perlite
- Horticulture charcoal
- Sphagnum moss
Too compact potting mix can cause it to stay wet for too long, leading to root rot or other problems. The reason is that the bottom layers don’t get enough air circulation.
It can be grown outside in mild climates within the USDA hardiness zones 9b-11. The soil pH should be between 5.6 and 7.5 (acidic)
Philodendron Gigas Watering
The water-loving plants need to be watered frequently in spring and summer. It can be watered once every 5-7 days, depending on the temperature and light conditions.
This frequency can change depending on the environment in which you live.
Higher temperatures will cause the plant to dry out faster than normal, leading to longer watering sessions each week. The soil will dry quicker if it is in direct sunlight.
You don’t need to worry about watering your plants, so keep them in optimal indoor conditions.
Keep your potting soil from becoming dry or wet. You can do this by following a watering schedule that is entirely dependent on the soil moisture level. Use your fingers or a wooden stick to check the soil before adding water.
After the potting soil is completely dried, I water my Philodendron Gigas. Water stress can lead to slow or stunted growth if the soil is left dry for more than a few days. It is important to check the soil regularly for water.
The plant needs very little water in winter. The soil will dry slower in colder months because the evaporation rate of the soil is much lower.
Root rot can be caused by soaking the soil in too much water. It is also a bad idea to leave water on the leaves for too long as this can cause stem and leaf rot.
Philodendron Gigas Light Requirements
Philodendron Gigas prefers to grow in moderately bright lighting. You should aim for 70-85% sun. However, this Philodendron variety is more tolerant to lower lighting than other houseplants.
Low light can often result in a leggy plant and tiny leaves. This is why you should choose a low-light setting. This plant is sensitive to light. You will need to place the plant in shaded corners, either under a tree or covered with shade cloth.
Because LED grows lights are easier to manage and produce less heat, they provide the ideal lighting for houseplants. Your sun-loving Philodendrons can be kept in the or south-facing windows. However, you should screen the windows to reduce the intensity.
The Gigas plant loves semi-shade in the outdoors. It loves bright, filtered light indoors.
For a quick explanation, keep in mind that the Gigas plant thrives in bright sunlight that is filtered through large trees. It is not exposed to direct sunlight, so it can’t tolerate artificial sun.
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Temperature
The indoor temperature for this plant should be between 55 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 31 degrees Celsius).
Remember that the plant needs to be kept at 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius) in winter.
The Gigas plant will cease growing if it is subjected to a lower temperature than the minimum.
In some Philodendrons, lower temperatures help initiate flowering. For winter months, the Philodendron Gigas can be brought inside if the temperature drops to a low level in your region. This will protect your plant from freezing and frost damage.
You must protect your Gigas plants indoors from extreme temperatures. It should not be placed near heat sources like a radiator. Avoid placing it near doors and windows that are draughty or air conditioners.
Philodendron Gigas Humidity
Higher humidity is better for aroid plants than tropical plants. A humidity level of 60 to 80% is ideal. This plant will survive low humidity levels, provided you follow the water section.
Philodendron Gigas Fertilizer
Fertilization can be a great way for plants to get all the nutrients they need and grow well. For the Philodendron Gigas, you can use any mild-dose houseplant fertilizer.
I use a 20-20-20 liquid fertiliser that has been diluted in water until it is half the strength. It should be applied every week during the growing season. Apply it less often in winter months when the plant isn’t actively growing. You can fertilize once per month from fall through winter.
You might find yourself applying more fertilizer to your plants than you need.
It is best to avoid this as it can cause damage to your Philodendron. Chemical burns can be caused by overfertilization. Low-quality fertilizers can cause damage to your plant.
Repotting
The plant’s root system is strong and healthy so there is no need to worry about repotting. When repotting ensure that the pot is small about the root ball.
The Gigas plant can be repotted to the same pot or the soil can be re-used. You can also choose a larger pot than the one you have before.
A large pot can cause root rot and drown roots. Roots are more exposed to moisture when they are in large containers. This species prefers a slightly loose root system, so repotting should be done in this way.
Any roots that are damaged or mushy can be removed. You should sterilize any sharp instruments such as a pruning shear or scissor before you start cutting.
Philodendron Gigas Pruning
The huge leaves of this Hemi-epiphytic can take up a lot of space. To do the following, give your plant a good pruning session:
- You can remove any damaged or dead leaves that are yellowing, rotting or browning. The rotted stalks can also be removed.
- Take out any faded or dead flowers. This will allow your Gigas plants to produce more flowers.
- To keep the plant neat, trim a few of its parts. This is especially important if the plant has outgrown its container.
Instead of pruning your plants in one go, prune your plant more frequently at various intervals. While deadheading and pruning encourage new growth, over-pruning can cause damage. Your plant can stop growing and not bloom.
Pruning should not exceed 1/3 of the Philodendron Gaga.
Philodendron Gigas Propagation
The act of propagating a part or a portion of active growth, but not dead, plant is used to create new growth. Stems can be taken from healthy plants in spring and summer. Because the mother plant has plenty of time to heal from shocks, I prefer to take my stem cuttings in spring. The new cutting can also be grown in the next season.
- A healthy Philodendron Gigas will give you a stem that is a little over an inch (4-6 inches) in length. The stem should be healthy and free of any diseased or damaged foliage.
- Use a sterilized sharp instrument before and after cutting. To sterilize instruments, you can use isopropyl alcohol. Cut an angle about 1-2 inches below each leaf node.
- A minimum of one pair of leaves should be cut. However, it is better to have more. The lower area of the leaf should be trimmed.
- Allow the Gigas cutting to dry for several hours to form a callus. Dip the cut’s lower edge in rooting hormone powder, which has been diluted with water. Although this is optional, it’s a good idea to do so as your cutting will have better chances of rooting.
- You can now bury the lower node into the soil. Or, you can use the potting mix discussed earlier. You can also grow the cutting in sphagnum moss. To grow the cutting, submerge it in water and place the lower node into a glass jar.
- The leaves should not touch water surfaces. After a few days, change the water and add some warmth and bright sunlight.
- In a matter of weeks, your cutting will begin to develop tiny roots. Once established, you can either continue to grow it in the same medium or transfer it into a different potting mix.
Blooms
Inflorescences are produced by this plant instead of flowers. Gigas can produce as many as 7 inflorescences per axil if taken care of properly. The inflorescence tubes have a white colour with a red tint. The spathe’s interior is either dark red or violet. The spathe measures approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter.
The berries and seeds are greenish-white. The rainy season is when the blooms begin and last several months.
Philodendron Gigas Growth Rate
This plant is easy to grow and looks great in hanging baskets or containers. The leaves are large and velvety, measuring 3-4 ft in length.
The leaves come in many colours, including olive green, dark green, triangular, oval, and elongated. Also, the petiole has a D-shaped shape instead of being round with small internodes.
This plant is fast growing. Mine has tripled in size in just one year. This plant can grow to a height of 8-10 feet when mature. The evergreen plant is tricoloured throughout the year.
Common Problems for Philodendron Gigas
Water Stress
Water stress is a common problem for houseplants at some time in their life cycle. It is important to know what your plant does when it is unhappy.
You will either drown or overwater your Philodendron Gigas if you don’t maintain a proper watering schedule.
Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering. Brown leaves, however, are indicative of underwatering. Both should be avoided to preserve your plant’s health.
If your plant is suffering from overwatering, allow the potting soil to dry for at least a few days. You can then resume watering, but reduce the frequency. You could decrease the frequency of watering if you used to water twice per week.
Your plant’s wagering requirements are best determined by the potting soil. You can check your plant’s watering needs with your fingers or use a moisture meter.
Aphids
Aphids, also known as plant lice, are tiny insects with soft bodies that are coloured green, yellow, brown, and black. They can often go unnoticed until they have established large colonies on your houseplant. These annoying pests are also a problem for Philodendron Gigas, just like other houseplants.
Aphids can grow very quickly as the females can lay 100 eggs and then start reproducing in 6-8 days. They feed on the new growth, the undersides of leaves, and flower buds. Curly, crinkly leaves are characteristic of infected plants.
These pests spread viruses to plants and secrete honeydew, a sticky substance. This honeydew is an ideal growth medium for sooty mould. These can be removed from velvet plants by spraying neem oil, or any other green solution.
You can also prepare a mixture with mineral oil and dishwashing detergent in lukewarm warm water. This mixture can be sprayed on the plant immediately you spot any pests. For complete disinfection, you may need to apply the spray several times.
Scales
Soft-brown scale Insects attack all houseplants, even Philodendron Gigas. They also produce honeydew, which attracts other insects such as ants and black mildew.
Sprays against brown scales are not effective due to the shell exterior of their bodies. Use a toothbrush or a cloth to clean the stems and leaves. Spray your plant with neem oil, horticulture soap, and then water it again.
Tips for Growing Philodendron Gigas
- You can flush the soil with lots of water. This will oxygenate the soil and remove any mineral or salt buildup.
- Before watering your plant, let the Philodendron Gigas potting mix dry at least 80%.
- To avoid temperature shocks, keep your plants at a constant temperature throughout the year.
- For your Philodendron Gigas, avoid using a heavy soil mix.
- The roots can be killed by heavy fertilizers. You can also strip your plant of essential nutrients.
- Shade cloths of 20-40% are recommended for porch or garden planting. Do not allow the sun directly to touch the plant.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to find Philodendron Gigas in Philodendron?
This plant will thrive in a shaded corner of your sunroom.
What now, my Philodendron Gigas is drooping?
To help your plant climb, give it a totem or other climbing support. This will help your plant grow faster. To keep your Gigas plants upright, you can add mulch to the pot. Underwatering can also cause drooping. Give your Gigas a good soak if the soil is dry.
How can you improve drainage for Philodendron Gigas
Poor drainage can hurt your plants’ health. It can also cause root entrapment. Perlite can be added to the potting soil to loosen it and prevent clumping.
How can I improve the air circulation in my Gigas plants?
Indoor plants need to have good air circulation. This can be achieved by using a fan to circulate air around the plant or by changing the potting mix.
Conclusion On Philodendron Gigas
A Philodendron Gigas is a great choice if you enjoy collecting rare plants. This rare velvet Philodendron is known for its velvety, thin leaves. This vine- and climbing evergreen will provide beautiful foliage all year.
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