Philodendron Gloriosum
Enormous velvet heart-shaped leaves with white veins, on a plant that crawls across the soil rather than climbing. A slow, stately collector plant that needs a wide, shallow pot and patience.
Gloriosum is the velvet one. The leaves are huge, heart-shaped, matte green and marked with pale veins, and they feel like fabric. It grows along the surface of the soil on a thick stem, one leaf at a time, each bigger than the last.
Because it crawls, it wants a long, shallow planter rather than a deep pot, and it takes months between leaves. A plant for people who enjoy waiting.
Light
Bright indirect light. An east window or a few feet from a south one. Medium light slows it further and shrinks the leaves. Direct sun scorches the velvet.
Water
Water when the top two inches are dry, about weekly in summer and every two weeks in winter. The crawling stem rots if the surface stays wet, so let it dry properly.
Soil and potting
A chunky aroid mix in a long, shallow planter so the stem has room to crawl. Keep the stem on top of the soil, not buried. Repot every couple of years by moving it to a longer trough.
Feeding
A half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring and summer.
Propagation
Cut the crawling stem between nodes, leaving a leaf and a node on each section, and lay the cutting on damp sphagnum until it roots.
In a hot, dry home
Needs humidity around fifty-five percent and does not like it lower. A humidifier or a cabinet. The velvet leaves show dry air fast as crisping edges.
Problems and fixes
Leaves getting smaller
Likely cause: Not enough light or humidity
Fix: Brighter indirect light and higher humidity.
Crispy edges
Likely cause: Low humidity
Fix: Raise humidity.
Stem soft and dark
Likely cause: Rot from wet soil
Fix: Cut back to healthy stem, let it callous, and re-root on sphagnum.
Philodendron Gloriosum questions
Why does Philodendron gloriosum need a long pot?
It crawls along the soil on a horizontal stem rather than climbing. A long, shallow planter gives it room to grow forward.
How fast does gloriosum grow?
Slowly. Expect a new leaf every one to three months in good conditions, each larger than the last.
Is Philodendron gloriosum toxic to pets?
Yes. Calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Philodendron Melanochrysum
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
