How to Care for a Tree Philodendron
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum Araceae – Tree Philodendron
Natural Habitat
The Tree Philodendron is native to the tropical areas of Central and South America. They end to thrive under the shade of large trees. They grow much larger outside than indoors averaging about 1 or 2 meters indoors.
Soil Requirements
The Tree Philodendron prefers a well-draining mixture that consists of 1 part potting mix, 1 part perlite and some fine orchid bark sprinkled in. I have repotted my tree philodendron three times in the abovementioned mix and the plant loves it.
Lighting
This plant grows in the shades of a tree in its natural habitat thus it is best to emulate that habitat by providing them with semi-shade or if indoor then bright indirect light. It is best to place the plant in front of a east, north or west-facing window. Direct sunlight for extended periods of time will scorch the leaves.
Water
The tree philodendron does not tolerate drought thus you should keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. I have noticed that if I keep the soil moist then my philodendron produces more leaves in the growing season. I water my philodendron about once a week in the summer and spring and once every two weeks in the winter and autumn.
General Care
The leaves of the tree philodendron get dusty so it is advised to wipe them down from time to time as this prevents pest from infecting the plant as well as making sure that photosynthesis is happening optimally.
You should check your tree philodendron’s pot yearly to see if it is root bound. If it need to be repotted then size up the pot container. You can break the roots up a bit but it is best not to unravel them completely.
If you want to learn about other philodendron type plants then check out how to care for a Philodendron Brasil (Heartleaf philodendron)
Common Problems and Solutions
Yellowing leaves: This is caused by poor drainage or overwatering. To remedy this it is best to let the top layer of the soil dry out. You can also check that the pot has drainage holes.
Brown leaf tips: This can be caused by three reasons such as underwatering, over fertilizing and low humidity. Increase the watering and only fertilize once every two weeks during the growing season.
Pest infestations: Tree philodendrons can be susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. To fix this, you can try wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or using an insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat the plant. I have successfully treated spider mites on this plant by spraying a mixture of dish washing liquid and water on the bottom and wiping it off with a cloth. I repeated this every week for a month to get rid of the infestation.
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