How to Care For Philodendron Gloriosum

Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Plant Mom Care

Philodendron Gloriosum is indigenous to Colombia. This tropical plant is valued for its velvety heartleaf-shaped foliage with striking silvery-green leaf veins. Young leaves have a pinkish shade when they emerge.

New leaves take unusually long to open, sometimes several weeks. But when they do open, they might become over 2 feet in length in their natural environment in time.

Unlike other philodendrons that grow vertically, this plant has a horizontal creeping habit and grows almost 3 feet high and about 6 feet wide. Despite its forgiving, low-maintenance nature it requires some patience since it is a very slow grower. 

Unfortunately, this plant is classified as vulnerable in its native environment.

Philodendron Gloriosum Light Requirements

Plenty of indirect bright light is necessary to keep the plant healthy thrive well and help the leaves grow big. An east- or west-facing window with filtered morning sun and afternoon light usually works best. 

Excessive exposure to direct sun will burn the leaves, initiate droopy growth, and make the leaves turn yellow. But insufficient light will affect the plant’s health and make the foliage very leggy.

Philodendron Gloriosum Watering

Water the plant around once every 7 days in spring and summer. Reduce watering during fall and winter to every 10 days or so.

Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves or mushy roots and most probably root rot, a common problem if the plant has water-logged soil or the pot doesn’t drain properly. It’s better to wait for 2 – 3 inches of topsoil to turn dry before watering. It can tolerate some under-watering better than overwatering.

Philodendron Gloriosum Humidity

It can tolerate humidity levels around 40-50% but grows better in high humidity between 60-80%. You can put a tray of water near the plant or keep a pebble tray of water under the pot.

Both methods will raise humidity and are better than misting. Using a humidifier near the plant will also work. Keep it away from air conditioning and heating vents.

Philodendron Gloriosum Temperature

It prefers temperature ranges between 65 – 85°F and will do well in bathrooms as it loves warmth and humidity⁠. Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 55°F.

Philodendron Gloriosum Soil

Use a potting mix designed for aroid plants. If it’s hard to find, you can make your loose and well-draining mix with equal parts of regular potting mix, orchid bark, and vermiculite or perlite. If the soil isn’t aerated, it might suffocate the roots.

Philodendron Gloriosum Repotting

Indications that the plant needs repotting include slower growth, new leaves becoming smaller, and the plant leaning out over the pot’s edge.

With its horizontally spreading growth habit, use a wider pot instead of a deeper one — a long rectangular-shaped pot works well. It also needs sufficient drainage holes to prevent waterlogging however, since it’s a slow grower it probably will need repotting once every 2 or 3 years.

Philodendron Gloriosum Propagation

Propagation is better done by rhizome division. Locate a rhizome that is growing near the soil surface and cut pieces off, preferably with a few leaves growing from each section.

Let the cut ends callus for a few hours before planting them in individual pots of moist but not soggy soil. Covering the pots with transparent plastic bags will help retain humidity and moisture.

Remove the plastic bags every 2 -3 days to allow air circulation for a little while to prevent the microclimate from becoming stale.

Rooting will take around 2 – 4 weeks to establish and the young plants can be moved into larger pots.

Additional Care

Using a diluted balanced fertilizer every 30 days or so during spring and summer will encourage more healthy and vigorous leaves but it isn’t a heavy feeder and over-fertilization can cause yellowing leaves and root burn.

Pruning is unnecessary other than removing straggly, unhealthy, or dead foliage. This will redirect all the energy into the production of healthier foliage.

Philodendron Gloriosum Common Problems

The pests that can attack the plant include spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and whitefly

Diluted neem oil can be sprayed on the plant to eliminate pests and should be reapplied after two weeks. 

Rubbing alcohol is another effective remedy against mealybugs and other pests. Apply it on the stems and the tops and bottoms of leaves with a cotton swab, do this every other day for 2 weeks until you can’t see any pests or signs of their presence.

Leaves turning yellow isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Old leaves naturally turn yellow and drop off but if this happens with new foliage, this could be due to either over-fertilization or over- or under-watering the plant. Follow the instructions above concerning fertilizing and watering properly.

Drooping leaves are commonly caused by either root rot, over- or under-watering, or improper drainage. You have to get the watering frequency right. Soggy soil and consequent root rot are a more serious problem, but not watering the plant properly can also cause some damage.

Brown leaf tips are most likely due to either low humidity or under-watering. 

Exposure to too much direct sunshine will also start causing brown leaf tips and leaf scorch. Adjust humidity levels by using a humidifier near the plant. Check the plant’s placement to make sure it isn’t directly exposed to the sun.

Philodendron Types

• Philodendron Verrucosum
• Philodendron Birkin
• Philodendron Brasil
• Heart Leaf Philodendron