Philodendron Radiatum Care – Complete Guide From Beginner To Expert

Philodendron Radiatum Care: Philodendron Radiatum, also known as Fil-oh-DENdron Rad-ee’AY-tum, is renowned for its tropical-looking leaves. Split Leaf Climber is sometimes called this. You can grow this beauty in your garden or on your patio using our plant care guide.

This species does not require much attention. Simply plant it in rich soil, and water well. The best position for this species is in partial shade. The species can tolerate slight neglect and grows vigorously if given the proper care.

This species’ leaves can even be used as decorations. As the name suggests, almost all Philodendron species love trees. This species is found in a wide range of countries, including Colombia and Mexico. It can even be found in Brazil. The majority of data on this evergreen climber indicates that it grows in the lowland tropical tropics.

Although this plant is not rare, it can be difficult to find online or in nurseries. This plant might be confused with Philodendron Mayoi. These young leaves resemble each other a lot. Philodendron Mayoi, however, has reddish-coloured leaves and petioles.

As it matures, Philodendron Radiatum develops complex indentations. There are at least ten possible growth patterns for this plant.

Philodendron Radiatum – Basic Plant Care Instructions

Soil Mixture

The soil should be well-draining and rich in nutrients. To ensure that the soil retains moisture, you might need to amend the regular potting soil. To help your plant grow higher, add burlap or a piece of sphagnum moss to the pot.

Avoid planting this plant in a sandy soil mixture. Keep the pH between 5.1 and 6 as this species prefers an acidic soil mix. I found out that this is a rainforest species that prefers to grow in a mix of perlite and moss, which has been modified by adding orchid bark to improve drainage.

If you live in one of the USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, you can grow this plant outside. This plant should only be grown outdoors in mild climates with no freezing temperatures.

Philodendron Radiatum Watering

Although it has a low water requirement, Philodendron Radiatum likes to be tended to regularly. It should not be overwatered. To avoid soil drying out, do not add water to it again.

Light Requirements

The Philodendron Radiatum loves filtered sunshine. For indoor plants, 70-85% sunlight is ideal. The foliage can be damaged by direct sunlight so it is best to keep your indoor plant at least a few feet from any windows. This plant is surprisingly resilient to low light conditions.

To filter the sun, you should install sheer curtains or blinds if your indoor planter is located near a window. This is crucial because the plant must be protected from heat and harsh afternoon sunlight.

Shade cloth can be used outdoors on patios. Radiatum plants should not be kept outside in very sunny or windy conditions. Leaf burns can be caused by keeping your Radiatum plants in an area with very little light.

Temperature

Indoor temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (112.7 to 26.7 Celsius) will be ideal for the Philodendron radiatum.

You should bring your outdoor Philodendron Radiatum indoors during cold months. This is because it is not winter-hardy.

Extreme temperatures are not appreciated by this species. The indoors are designed to maintain a temperature within the desired range.

Philodendron Radiatum Humidity

Your Philodendron Radiatum will grow larger with larger, more lobbed leaves if you give it humidity. This plant is best suited for humidity levels above 60%

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Philodendron Radiatum Fertilizer

This slow-release fertilizer is what I use for my Philodendron plants. To help your plant grow stronger and faster, you can apply it three times a year. Even without fertilizer, this plant can grow. However, houseplants that are not fertilized tend to grow slower. This may be disappointing for some.

Magnesium-rich fertilizers are what this plant loves to eat. I use a 15-5-10 fertilizer for my houseplants. Avoid cheap fertilizer. The heavy slats will cause damage to the roots and kill your plant.

Repotting

This species is healthy and has a strong root system so it needs very little repotting. The plant may grow too large and produce thick air roots. After 2-3 years, it can be repotted.

Philodendron Radiatum Pruning

To control the growth of your plant, trim the stems from the top to reduce their size. To achieve a bushier appearance, the plant will need to grow more leaves in the lower areas.

Protective gloves are recommended for handling and pruning Philodendron plants.

Philodendron Radiatum Propagation

For Philodendron Radiatum, we will discuss two propagation methods: air-layering or water propagation.

Air layering

Air layering is a way to grow your plant without taking cuttings. It is therefore one of the most interesting and safest methods for propagation. Continue reading to learn all about the steps involved.

• Find a healthy stem from Philodendron Radiatum. Wrap the sphagnum moss around it, as well as the vertical support (if applicable). The moss will be more secure if it is wrapped around the support.
• Before you begin the process, I recommend that you soak the sphagnum moth in water for between 1 and 2 hours. This will make the environment more humid and encourage better growth.
• Clear plastic sheets are best to see the moss. Wrapping leaves in plastic is a bad idea as they can rot.
• Wrapping for airflow requires that you leave a small opening at the top.
• This method of propagation is safe as even if the node does not form roots, it has not been taken. You did not lose any.
• To keep the sphagnum moss moist, spray it every two days. In 2-3 weeks, the node will begin rooting.
• Remove the wrapping by removing the moss from the roots.
• Take a cut by making an angle just below the node. You should make the final cut a few inches in length with at least two leaves.
• Finally, place the cut in a transparent cup and then replace the sphagnum moss.
• To care for your Philodendron Radiatum, please follow the care instructions in this article.

Water Propagation

• Once you have selected a healthy, mature stem from Philodendron Radiatum for your plant, cut stems to 4-6 inches in length during the growing season. The stem should be cut higher than an existing leaf joint.
• It is important to place the cut 1/4″ below the node.
• To remove the leaf nodes, pinch the lower leaves of the cutting. Let the cutting dry for 24 hrs. Then dip the ends in rooting hormone powder.
• The cutting to root process is made easier by the rooting hormones.
• Fill a jar with water, leaving at least 1-inch space at the top. Filtered water is better than tap water.
• Let tap water sit for at least 24 hours to get rid of chlorine and fluorides. It is important to use room temperature water as too hot or cold water can cause shocks.
• Place the leafless nodes into water. Make sure that the leaves are not in direct contact with the water.
• After two days, you can refresh the water with filtered, room-temperature water.
• To encourage rooting, place the cutting in bright sunshine. Avoid direct sunlight as it can encourage algae growth in the water.
• In 3-4 weeks, the cutting will begin rooting. When the roots reach a few inches in diameter, the cutting can be transferred to the soil.
• Keep in mind that the more time the cutting is left in the water, it’s harder for the plant to adapt to the new environment.
• To help your plant grow, follow the care instructions given above.
• This is my favourite method, as I can see the roots develop for my cutting. Water propagation is more time-consuming than soil propagation so you need to be patient.

Blooms

Although this Philodendron species does not bloom, it produces spathe and spadix inflorescences. These are both green with a hint of red and a purple centre. Its foliage is a major reason it is grown. It can be used to decorate any area with a tropical touch.

Philodendron Radiatum Growth Rate

The growth rate of this Philodendron species is medium. It can take over plants from nearby species, but it rarely does so. This plant loves to climb up trees, so vertical support is a great benefit.

This plant’s main selling point is its huge leaves, which can grow up to 3 feet in length and 2 feet in width. As the plant matures, these vigorous green leaves will change in shape.

Young plants have small, heart-shaped leaves. On the other hand, mature plants have deep incised, scalloped leaves that grow on long, sturdy petioles. Each leaf has five to ten lobes. The leaves are smooth, but they have texture.

Each houseplant’s growth rate will vary depending on its environment, water quality, light, temperature and food. To ensure that your plants thrive, you must pay attention to their individual needs. The mature plant can reach 8-10 feet in ideal conditions. This plant will produce one leaf per month.

Variegated Philodendron Radiatum is also available. The leaf shape is the same as the original, but the colour is different in the shades yellow, green and cream.

Common Problems for Philodendron Radiatum

Mealybugs

They are the most frequent houseplant pests for Philodendrons. They feed on plants and secrete honeydew, a waxy substance. You can identify them by the presence of a white, powdery, or cottony substance or dust on different parts and leaves.

These insects have oval bodies that are covered in a sticky substance. Male bugs look similar to aphids. Meaty bugs also have sooty mold on the plant’s surface. This is combined with early leaf fall and stunted growth.

Female mealybugs are not able to fly so they spread through potting soil or plants that have been purchased recently. Make sure you only buy houseplants from trusted sources. Also, inspect any newly purchased plants. You should quarantine your new plants for at least 14 days.

Use a high-quality insecticide to treat your plants You can make your spray with water, bio-friendly soap and oil. You can also use neem oil to treat mealybugs, but you’ll need to apply it again until they are gone. You should dispose of all plants with heavy infestations.

Thrips

Thrips are also known as thunder flies. They are small insects with long wings and thin bodies. They will drink the juices of the Philodendron Radiatum’s new leaves. They will experience discolouration and distortion in their growth.

They can attack plants in groups, and they are either black, brown or cream-coloured. To check for thrips on your plant, gently touch the stems. These pests will fly over the plant if they are present. The colour of the nymphs is paler than that of adult thrips.

The main symptoms are:

• Mottled leaves
• Leaf surface discolouration in silvery-white
• Flower buds and leaf tips that are distorted
• Failure to bloom

Good housekeeping can help to avoid the appearance of thrips. Regularly inspect the stem and leaf joints as these are where the females lay eggs. Green mulch attracts thrips so avoid it.

Yellow sticky traps work well for small infections. These traps can be used to detect pests. To remove eggs and nymphs, take infected plants outside.

You should carefully read the label before you spray any chemical sprays. Thrips are resistant to most chemical sprays. Minor infections should not be treated with chemicals.

Aphids

Aphids are the next most frequent pest to houseplants, after mealybugs. There are over 4000 species of them, all belonging to the Aphidoidea Family. They are soft-bodied and have a long life cycle.