Philodendron Painted Lady Care And Tips – Ultimate Guide 2022
Philodendron Painted Lady Care: With its bright yellow-green, dappled green spots and perfectly pink stems, the philodendron-painted lady is truly a collector’s delight. This rare find is often sold online for large sums. An older specimen was sold for just $350 a few weeks back.
This complete care guide will reveal the best care tips for philodendron-painted ladies so that you can keep this rare beauty happy in your home.
If you are having trouble caring for your plant, I have a section that will help you.
Philodendron Painted Lady Care: Brief History & Origin
The painted lady is similar to the congo. The painterly lady is a cultivar that comes from the huge Araceae plant family. Robert H. McColley was a prolific plant breeder who created this hybrid.
This plant is an unusual, yet intriguing cross between the Philodendron ‘Burgundy’ (P. Hastatum-Erubescens-Wendlandii-Imbe) and an unpatented variety he identified as the ‘Emerald Queen’.
Because its leaf spots look like they could be brushed by hand, it was affectionately called the Painted Lady.
Philodendron Painted Lady Care
Soil
The philodendron-painted lady will want an aroid potting mixture that is moist, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. This mix typically contains a mixture of coco coir and worm castings, orchid Bark, Perlite, Activated Charcoal, Pumice, and activated charcoal. However, you can remove pumice if your plant has reached its juvenile stage.
This mix has given me good results.
- 40% cocoa coir (instead of soil)
- 20% orchid bark
- 10% Perlite
- 10% worm castings
- 10% pumice
- 10% activated charcoal
This substrate is a thick, airy and sturdy support for its hemiepiphytic character.
“Many (too many) guides recommend using a succulent cactus mix for Philos. However, succulents are designed for extremely dry, arid climates. They retain water in their fleshy leaves. Philos live in rainforests and their leaves are so thin that they can’t hold enough water.
The succulent/cactus mixture is extremely dry so you will need to water your Philo regularly to keep it from drying out. This advice has resulted in so many unhappy-looking Philos. I would not recommend this dry mix to any Philo.”
What Every Element Does (If you’re interested)
- Coco coir (replaces dirt) – retains moisture while also being well-draining and very easy to grow with.
- Perlite is a porous volcanic rock that aids drainage and holds important nutrients from fertilizer.
- Orchid Bark is a favourite of tree huggers (epiphyte), it allows root attachment, which promotes healthier root systems, and it becomes an important hotspot for positive microbes
- Worm castings (worm poo) – Organic fertilizer. It has a wide nutrient range and retains moisture.
- Activated Charcoal – Prevents soil impurities from building up, stops mould growth and neutralizes soil pH
- Pumice is another element of drainage
Philodendron Painted Lady Lighting
Most likely, you’ve been told that philodendrons can only thrive in indirect, bright light. This is true to a certain extent. The philodendron-painted lady will thrive in bright indirect light. However, you’ll notice richer colours and larger leaves when it gets at least 1-3 hours of direct sunlight each morning or evening.
Plants that are left exposed to direct sunlight for long periods, especially in the afternoon, can suffer from scorching and bleaching. It is best to use indirect lighting, not only bright.
What exactly is bright, indirect light?
It’s brighter than you think. Because light is difficult to measure with the naked eye, I trust my light meter. In foot candles (FC), light meters measure the intensity of light in a space. One can be yours for as low as $50 right now. These handy meters were only available to the top home growers a decade ago.
How much light does my Philodendron-painted Lady need?
This will keep the plant alive and maintain its maintenance growth. It should be kept at 200F. You can expect good growth, which is probably what you are looking for, anywhere from 400-600FC.
To show how vague the term “bright, indirect lighting” really is, the philodendron-painted lady is often grown in nurseries under 1500-2500FC under a shade cloth (which is still considered bright, indirect lighting, but at a higher intensity).
Philodendron Painted Lady Watering
The philodendron-painted lady, like most Philos, loves well-drained soil that is neither too dry nor too wet. It is important to be able to identify when your plants need water. This is something that many guides recommend.
Friendly Tip: Soil meters can be extremely inaccurate. They are not able to see the soil layer below. The top layer may be very dry while the bottom layers might be very wet or moist. Instead, use the following methods.
Two Easy Ways to Tell if Your Plant Needs Watering
Do a good knuckle check. Dig your finger into the soil. You can wait to water if the texture is still moist beneath but dry on the top. If the mixture is dry on top, you can give it a drink (see below for how to water).
Use chopsticks. Don’t stick your fingers in a mixture containing worm poops (! You can substitute a chopstick for the main stem. Move away from the main stem and push a bamboo chopstick or wooden chopstick into the soil. Pull it out and see what you see.
- The stick may become darker if it is covered with soil.
- Moist soil will have a soft texture and you’ll be able to push the stick through.
- Dry soil can make the stick harder, more brittle and less aesthetically pleasing.
If the mix is pulling away from the sides of pots, it could be a sign that the soil has become too dense to allow water or oxygen to reach the roots. This is a sign that the potting mixture needs to be changed.
More general tips
- Mixes that are still full of water can be quite heavy to lift.
- Check the texture of your mix. Is it dry and compact? Is it well-draining and airy? Mix that is too dry will always be characterized by compaction and clumping.
- Take a look at the colour of your mix. Is it dry? Is it still dark (wet), or is it light?
How to Water Properly Your Philodendron Painted Lady (and Other Plants)
Working in botanical gardens, I learned how to properly water plants to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.
Watering is important. Make sure that you only water enough to allow water to drain through the drainage holes. Yes, you should water every time. It is better to wet your entire plant thoroughly now and again than to give it only small amounts of water each day. Here’s why.
Water provides water to your plants. It also helps to push oxygen through the soil to the roots, which ironically can help to prevent root rot. A little watering every day can cause crown rot on the stem’s base.
Make sure you water the base, not from overhead. Overhead watering can lead to pseudomonas and erwinia leaf spots. You might also see ugly water spots.
Philodendron Painted Lady Humidity
This plant is a cross between two tropical plants. It loves humidity. Higher humidity is better. Higher humidity levels than 70%+ will produce larger leaves with brighter colours. Lower humidity levels (40-50%) will result in smaller leaves but not drastic changes to their appearance. It is important to remember that humidity is not as important as getting the light, water, and fertilizer right. So, don’t worry too much.
2 Foolproof Methods to Increase Humidity Levels
There are 2 ways to increase humidity.
- A small humidifier is worth the investment
- You can create a mini “humidity sharing” biome by grouping plants together
Myth Buster – Pebble trays and misting can dramatically increase humidity levels. This is a common myth. The scientific community has disproved misting as a myth. Pebble trays have been shown to do little to increase local humidity. The mist stays on the plant for between 30-60 seconds, before moving around the room. It’s similar to putting a band-aid on the crack in the wall.
Philodendron Painted Lady Fertilizer
After they have absorbed nutrients from their soil or potting mix, houseplants do not have a natural way to obtain nutrients. This is why they require regular fertilization. Coco coir is not able to use any nutrients so you will need a high-quality fertilizer.
Best Fertilizer to Philodendron Painted Lady
Dyna grows (7-9-5 NPK) is what I use on most plants. It’s a complete liquid fertilizer with all the essential nutrients that your plant requires to thrive.
It is urea-free and low in heavy nitro salts, which can alter the pH of the soil and cause root burn if they are left to build a crust on top of the soil.
I have also had great success with MARPHYL Marine Phytoplankton Flourisher – it is an organic fertilizer that has a lot of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium as well.
It has been proven to be a natural stress relief for plants. It is also vegan (seaweed), environmentally friendly, and boosts leaf growth. It can be used indoors for hydroponics, plants as well as vegetables, flowers, lawns, and even greenhouses.
What are the Key Nutrients in a Fertilizer?
A fertilizer with a high level of nitrogen and a high amount of potassium will be best.
The growth of the leaves is controlled by nitrogen, while potassium and phosphorus are responsible for stem and root development. Calcium and magnesium are also important.
You might see a tagline in size 6 on some all-purpose, cheaper houseplant fertilizers that states ‘low nutrient fertilizer’. Run if you see it. It won’t do anything for your plant. You can save your money.
Fertilize Your Philodendron-Painted Lady
Instead of fertilizing every month, I mix watering with fertilizing so that each time I water my plants, they get a small amount of premium fertilizer. This is a natural way to feed plants. After all, they get a steady stream over many days in nature. They don’t need one large gulp per month.
This is done by combining 1/4 teaspoon of dynagro or 1 teaspoon liquid seaweed in 1-gallon water (4.5 litres). Then I water my plants with this solution each spring and summer.
To avoid oversaturation in the dormant period of their growth cycle, I reduced waterings and feeds in autumn and stopped fertilizing in winter.
What can I expect from growth?
Indoors, the philodendron-painted lady can reach up to 5 feet (1.5m) and individual leaves can grow up to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm).
It is a self-hearing plant and can grow up to 2 feet (0.6m) wide. It will begin to grow outwards as it matures. It can take 5 years for it to mature.
Philodendron Painted Lady Temperature
The philodendron painted lady is a true warmth lover. It grows well at 60-80F, 16-29C or even higher. This scale will allow for faster, stronger growth.
According to GBIF, any temperature below 55 degrees F (12.5C), will cause stunted growth, death or withering for most philodendrons.
Keep this plant out of direct heat or cold drafts. This delicate gem should not be heated or air-conditioned.
Pruning: Should I Prune this Plant?
The philodendron painted lady is slow to grow so it will not need much pruning if they want to remain neat. You will only need to prune leaves if they show signs of disease, pests, or damage.
Toxicity: Is the philodendron-painted lady toxic?
Unfortunately, yes. All Philodendron leaves are toxic. Ingestion of the leaves of the painted lady can lead to high levels of calcium oxalate crystals, which make them unsafe for animals and humans. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth swelling, and gastrointestinal inflammation.
Two Methods to Propagate the Philodendron Painted Lady
Let’s face it, the process of propagating a non-trailing (i.e. A self-heading philodendron can seem intimidating. There are very few nodes, and even a tiny vining philodendron like the micans, or basil, will help you grow your plants back quickly. You might feel like you are out of your depth when it comes to home growing philodendrons. But, I can assure you that you can do it. It just takes patience.
If you are planning to propagate in spring or when the weather is warm, the chances of your plant growing stronger roots and healthier will be higher. If the growing conditions are poor, I wouldn’t recommend this.
Method #1: Pup Division: The Best Chance of Success
A mature, healthy self-heading philodendron will eventually produce ‘offshoots’, ‘pups” or ‘plantelets (little me’s), that can be divided at the repotting. These little guys can take some time to appear so be patient. What are the positives? This method has high success rates! Here’s how it works.
- You should water your plants the day before.
- Take your plant out of its container.
- Independent offshoots should be visible around the edge of your Philodendron.
- Use your hands to gently remove dirt from the root ball. Think of shampooing your hair and gently teasing the soil. Handly untangle the roots of the offspring from the parent.
- You can remove stubborn roots with sterile scissors.
- Place your plants in pots that are at least 2 inches bigger than their roots.
Method #2 Stem Cutting – Got Aerial Roots
You need the patience to wait for the right moment to cut a stem.
Stem Cutting
- Make a small container of the moist potting mixture (see soil section). An 80% perlite and 20% sphagnum-moss mixture can be used, but it will require repotting once the roots have grown.
- A healthy stem should have 2-3 nodes (this will be from the main stem). The little intersections between aerial roots and nodes that grow up to the leaf are called nodes.
- Use a pair of sharp pruning scissors to trim the stem below the nodes. Too much stem can cause rot to take hold very quickly.
- Use the stem/aerial root that has just been cut to make a rooting solution.
- Place the stem in your pre-made potting mix, about 2-3 inches from the top. Roots will grow from the nodes, so make sure they are well-buried in your potting mix.
- Your moist potting mixture should be filled with the remainder of the pot.
- Place in a warm place that gets bright indirect light but not direct sunlight. Cuttings will not be possible without direct sunlight.
- Wrap a clear plastic bag around the pot to increase humidity.
- The painted lady tends to have roots that strike quickly. You should see roots start to take root within 3-4 weeks.
Notice: After the roots reach 1 inch in length (3cm) if you used the perlite/moss mixture, you will need to repot the cutting into a richer pot mix.
Help! Help! Problems with Common Philodendron Painted Lady
Yellowing Leaves
There are many reasons why yellowing leaves occur, including pests and magnesium deficiency. But root rot can be caused by excessive watering. The plant may be in the early stages of stress if the leaf turns yellow around the edges. If the plant’s base is showing signs of stress, such as blackened, mushy, or bad-smelling roots, then you should change the potting mixture. Root rot can be prevented by taking a few cuttings from the plant and propagating them.
Pale Leaf Color
Low light conditions are often responsible for pale leaves on plants that are normally darker in colour. This condition is called chlorosis type 1. It can be corrected by moving to a brighter area.
Your light meter should be showing good readings. This means that you may not have the essential nutrients magnesium and calcium. If your fertilizer isn’t rich in magnesium or calcium, make sure to use a complete fertilizer.
Leaves Wet, Mushy Patches
It could be pseudomonas or erwinia leaf spot. The soil can also smell bad due to bacterial infections. Both diseases require moisture to spread. They can be caused by excessive overhead watering (and misting). ).
You can save your plant by changing its potting mix or pruning any damaged leaves. To prevent the spread of infection to other plants in your collection, isolate the plant as quickly as possible. Copper sulfate, a bactericide, has been proven to slow down the spread of the disease, but not cure it.
Philodendron Painted Lady Browning Tips
This could indicate that your plant is receiving too much direct sunlight or being submerged.
Black Patches in the Leaves
Black spots or patches are often a sign your philodendron was exposed to cold temperatures overnight. Philodendrons love the warmth and rare tropical plants. You can move to a warmer area.
Spots or patches of brown on the Leaves
If your plant develops brown patches, it could be because it has been exposed to direct sunlight for too long. It is fine to leave your plant in direct sunlight for a few hours, but not for a full day. These brown spots are scorch marks.
Common FAQ – Answers to Your Questions
Is The Philodendron Painted Lady Common?
Yes, the rare aroid of the philodendron-painted lady is true. Its demand is far greater than its supply.
What Does it Cost to Buy a Philodendron-Painted Lady?
A philodendron-painted lady cutting costs between $60 and $80 (PS42 to PS56), while a mature plant will cost you $190-$450. (PS133 to PS317)
Where can I buy a Philodendron Painted Lady in the United States?
Although Philodendron-painted ladies are difficult to find, they can sometimes be found on specialist aroid nursery websites or in garden centres, as well as on Etsy.
Can the Philodendron Painted Lady climb?
Yes. Yes. It is best to provide a cane or pole for the plant to climb up as it grows.
Philodendron Painted Lady Australia
The bold, striking leaves of the Philodendron Painted Lady are striking. The bright yellow leaves are strewn with green and have reddish pectorals. You can mass plant it and make it into a shrubby shape to cover ground, climb on trees ferns, or use it as a houseplant. Because it is hardy and requires little maintenance, it makes a great plant for green walls.
You can find this plant in Australia by visiting here to view their prices
How do you care for a Philodendron Painted Lady?
It should be kept in a bright, well-lit area with sufficient sunlight. The Painted Lady plant should be placed near a window so that direct sunlight does not reach the leaves. The plant can survive in both partial and medium light. The Philodendron Painted Lady should be protected from excessive sun exposure or the leaves will turn brown.
How fast does Painted Lady Philodendron grow?
The Painted Lady, like other philodendrons, is well-known for its heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 6 inches in length. It can grow to 2 to 5 feet in height and 1 to 1.5 feet in width. It is slow to grow. will take approximately 5 years to reach maturity.
Is Philodendron Painted Lady a hybrid?
The Philodendron “Painted Lady” is a mix of two-parent Philodendrons and P. Erubescens Burgundy plants, as well as P. Erubescens Emerald Queen plants.
How do you identify a Painted Lady Philodendron?
Philodendron “Painted Lady” has bold, striking leaves that look like they were painted with a brush. Bright yellow, large leaves with bright pink petioles are strewn with green.
What is the rarest philodendron?
What is the rarest Philodendron species? The Philodendron Spiritus Sante is the rarest Philodendron. This endangered Philodendron species is one of only a few examples of this unique, beautiful foliaged beauty. This is one of the most valuable Philodendron varieties.
Why is a philodendron so expensive?
Variegation, which is basically a mutation in plants that’s rare, means that variegated varieties of philodendrons are more expensive than those without. … The most common reasons philodendron plants are so costly are their demand, geographic location, scarcity, variegation, and geographical location.
Looking for other articles on our plant guides, then check this out
Why is My Zebra Plant Leaves Turning Brown?
Why is my asparagus fern yellowing?
