Everything You Need to Know About Caring for a Philodendron Domesticum Variegata

Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the Philodendron Domesticum Variegata makes an excellent addition to any home or office as a decorative plant that’s sure to be the envy of your coworkers and friends. It’s not hard to care for, but there are some small details that make all the difference in making sure it thrives and flourishes in your home. Here are our expert tips on caring for a Philodendron Domesticum Variegata!

Watering
The Philodendron domesticum variegata likes light watering, 1/2 inch of water, once a week in all seasons except summer. In summer it should only get watered every three weeks when there is no rain and then just soak it in water about an hour before you are ready to water again. The best way to tell if your plant needs water is by sticking your finger into the soil and feeling if it is moist at all. If not then go ahead and give it some water.

Light Requirements
If you want your pothos plant to thrive, it’s crucial that you have its environment just right. Keep it in an area with good light exposure—filtered or unfiltered sun is best, but indirect or full-spectrum fluorescent lighting will do in a pinch. The leaves of your pothos will start turning brown if they don’t get enough light.

Temperature and Humidity
The plant prefers warm, tropical environments with temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity should be between 40 and 60 percent, so place it in an area where there’s plenty of moisture. When you water your philodendron, use purified water and avoid sprinkling water directly on its leaves—you can cause them to rot if you over-water.

Fertilizing
The easiest way to fertilize a philodendron is to use a time-release pellet in its soil. The pellets will dissolve over time, providing your plant with regular doses of fertilizer. When you notice leaves starting to yellow, it’s probably time for another dose. However, if your philodendron is particularly large or continues showing signs of yellowing leaves after being fertilized, check with your local garden center before proceeding further: sometimes older philodendra will require more fertilizer than younger plants.

Pests and Diseases
It’s possible that you’ll be lucky enough to never have to deal with pests and diseases. But if you do, it’s worth taking precautionary measures before they start eating your plants. There are lots of ways to go about preventing pest and disease problems: Start with healthy soil (that means organic, free of pesticides and fertilizers), don’t overwater your plants and make sure they get enough sunlight.

Propagation Techniques
Although it is possible to grow philodendrons from seeds, leaf cuttings or by dividing rhizomes, growing new plants from cuttings is one of the easiest propagation techniques. In most cases, you can use either green or brown leaves for propagation; you only need one cutting per plant. The key is simply being able to remove leaves without damaging them in any way. After taking your cutting, be sure that you leave an inch or two at least of stem attached to allow it to heal over time.