Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Plant Mom Care
Philodendron Brasil, a cultivar of heartleaf philodendron is characterized by unique heart-shaped, dark green glossy leaves variegated with splashes of neon yellow-green. It got its common name as it has similar colors to the Brazilian flag.
Indigenous to the Caribbean, South, and Central America, this beautiful plant might look to be a temperamental diva but it is surprisingly low-maintenance and relatively easy to grow adding color to the interior of your home. The flower is an insignificant spathe and it often doesn’t flower indoors.
Under proper care and optimum growing conditions, this plant can reach almost 20 feet high if not pruned.
Philodendron Brasil Light Requirements
This plant can tolerate a range of light settings but displays its variegation best under bright indirect light. Low light will make the variegation revert to uniform green and could result in the plant becoming leggy. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight will burn the leaves.
Philodendron Brasil Watering
Let 2 or 3 inches of topsoil dry between watering and then water it thoroughly – once a week is sufficient during spring and summer and every 14 days in winter.
This plant cannot tolerate overwatering and should never sit in soggy soil for a prolonged period as it will eventually get root rot. Underwatering will also slow down growth.
However, watering this plant also depends on factors such as pot size, type of soil, lighting, and its environment.
Philodendron Brasil Humidity
Average household humidity levels are sufficient, although extra humidity encourages larger leaves and vigorous growth.
Philodendron Brasil Temperature
This tropical plant grows best under warm and humid conditions; it will also grow well indoors in typical home temperatures.
This plant is not cold tolerant and shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures below 55°F. The optimum temperature to keep the plant thriving is 70 – 80°F in the daytime and above 55°F at night.
Philodendron Brasil Soil
While it can tolerate a regular potting mix, it prefers a loamy well-draining, slightly acidic mix. You can put together a mix of equal parts of potting soil orchid bark, and perlite as a well-draining mix that the plant will love.
Philodendron Brasil Repotting
Repotting this plant is best done every 2 years in spring and summer. A healthy plant will usually need a larger container and fresh soil – or have the roots trimmed and any offsets removed for propagation to make space in the current container.
If the soil appears to be drying too fast that you have to increase watering frequency, it could be a sign that the roots have become too compact and the plant doesn’t get enough water. Another indicator that repotting is necessary is when roots protrude from the drainage holes.
If you want the plant to grow taller, repot it in a larger pot or, if you want to limit its growth, trim down the roots by 1/3 to control its growth and repot it back into its present container.
Philodendron Brasil Propagation
Like other plants in the genus, this plant can also be propagated by cuttings. Propagating is great to create new plants, or crafting a fuller plant after planting rooted cuttings back next to the mother plant.
Take 4 – 5 inch cuttings from a stem, ensuring each cutting has at least 4 or 6 leaves. Remove any leaves from the lower ends of each cutting leaving at least 2 leaves remaining on top.
Root the cuttings in water, making sure the nodes are submerged with the leaves remaining above the water, and let them take root in a warm location under bright indirect light.
Small white roots will start sprouting in 2-4 weeks from the nodes. Once the roots are 1 inch long, transplant the newly rooted cuttings in a pot of well-draining soil and return them to the same place they were growing in. Keep the soil moistened regularly but not soggy for 2-3 weeks to help the new plants acclimatize to the soil.
Additional Care
This plant can benefit from regular feeding during its growing season with a balanced fertilizer, although it can thrive without feeding as well. Feed the plant once a month and stop feeding it completely in fall and winter when the plant becomes dormant.
Under suitable conditions, this plant can grow fast and might require some pruning to keep its size manageable when growing indoors. Pruning also aids in encouraging thicker growth and large leaves. Prune the plant in spring or early summer when the plant is growing actively.
Remove any long or unruly stems and those that grow smaller leaves. Save the cuttings — you can propagate new plants from these.
Philodendron Brasil Common Problems
This plant is disease-resistant due to its fast growth together with tough leaves, making it almost invulnerable to pest infestations and infections.
However, sometimes certain environmental conditions can affect gnats, mealybugs or aphids will start appearing on the leaves. A swab of isopropyl alcohol in affected areas will be enough to remove these pests. An application of neem or horticultural oil or insecticidal soap is also effective to protect your plant.
Leaf spot is another problem that attacks the foliage and damages the leaves. A healthy plant is the best defensive measure to counter the leaf spot. Avoid wetting the leaves as this encourages bacteria or fungi to attack the foliage.
Curling leaves are a sign that the plant is thirsty. Make sure you stick to a regular watering schedule and never let the plant sit in dry soil for too long. Sometimes if the plant isn’t watered for a prolonged time, the roots may dry up preventing it from absorbing water even if it is watered again. In this case you will have to propagate new plants by cuttings to save the plant.
Brown leaf tips can result from different issues usually, this happens when the plant is growing in dry conditions providing the plant with extra humidity with a pebble tray or keeping it near a humidifier.
Browning tips can also result from exposure to prolonged direct sunlight. Lastly, brown leaves can also result from under-watering. Don’t allow the soil to dry too much between watering.
Types of Philodendron Plants
Is Philodendron Brasil the same as pothos?
No, Pothos and Philodendron Brasil are two distinct and separate plants belonging to different genera. Pothos is from the Epipremnum genus and Philodendron Brasil is from the Philodendron genus. However, both belong to the Araceae plant family. The simplest way to tell both plants apart is that the leaves of many philodendrons have more soft-textured and thinner heart-shaped leaves. Pothos have thicker leaves.
Why does my philodendron Brasil drip water?
If water drips from the leaves don’t be alarmed, it is just a sign that the plant has been watered more than it needs. This is an early warning for you to cut back on watering the plant to prevent root rot.