I found this gorgeous girl at Costco with most of her leaves cut off and the remaining leaves struggling…the soil was very saturated and the leaves are yellowing so I’m thinking it’s overwatered. I’ve been trying to dry out the soil, and I’m getting new aroid soil tomorrow to repot. I also have my humidifier going, but any additional advice would be greatly appreciated!
by TheBattleOfEvermore
4 Comments
Your plan sounds wonderful!! Make sure to check for pests and give it well draining chunky soil
I would move it away from your other plants. When you re-pot it, wash the leaves and stems well, you can spray them with 70% isopropyl alcohol to kill any pests, although a good bath is usually effective. Pre-made aroid soil is expensive. You can get peat, orchid bark, and perlite fairly inexpensively, if you’re going to be re-potting frequently. Once you get it in new soil, fertilize it. I prefer Super Thrive Foliage Pro. Most of the products that influencers are shucking are not only expensive, but ineffective. Keep it separated from your other plants for about a month to make sure any pests have time to show themselves. I learned the hard way. 🥴 Make sure it gets high light. I have mine under Sansi grow lights.
If you Google ‘The Unlikely Gardener ‘, you’ll find a great blog that is full of scientifically backed articles on plant care. (I am not the blogger.) There’s also a great group on FB called Plant Hoarders Anonymous that’s run by the guy who writes the blog.
Best of luck to your new plant!
New soil IMMEDIATELY. Even if you can’t get new soil I’d shake out the soil in the pot. It looks pretty compacted. PPP are aroids. They need light airy substrate. I’ve had success with orchid potting mix and a little moss.
Saving a plant is very kind of you. I just want to add, be very patient with this specific philodendron, as new leaves tend to get stuck, torn, or deformed. Some say it is due to humidity, but my ambient humidity is always around 60, and it still happens sometimes. I just got used to it and keep helping new leaves to come out with a damp, warm paper towel or cloth wrapped around the new leaf. I wait a few minutes, then gently help with the tip of my finger to get the new leaf out.With you good luck with this plant!🩷