If you are planning to have a houseplant, you should consider a split-leaf philodendron because it’s a low-maintenance plant with beautiful leaves. Though often confused with Monstera deliciosa, split-leaf philodendron is a different plant. It has large and waxy green leaves which split at the edge of the leaves. These plants are native to Central America. As this plant grows tall in a short period, make sure there’s enough space around the plant. In this blog, we discuss Split-leaf philodendron care, its types, propagation, and repotting.
An Overview of Split Leaf Philodendron
As the name suggests, these plants have splits at the edges of their leaves and can thrive indoors as well in outdoor areas. It’s a low-maintenance plant that grows beautifully under a conducive environment, which we will discuss later in the article. Many people tend to get confused between split-leaf philodendrons and monstera deliciosa. The best way to differentiate between the two is that mostera deliciosa leaves have perforations that don’t reach the edge of the leaves. Whereas, it reaches the edge in split-leaf philodendrons.
Split Leaf Philodendron vs Monstera
To rule out the misconception about both plants, here are some of the facts you should know. Both belong to the “Araceae” family but to different genera. Both the plants are named “Swiss Cheese Plant,” but split leaf philodendron is named so occasionally, unlike Monstera deliciosa.
Features of Split Leaf Philodendron
Here are some of the features of the plant for easy identification:
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Leaves are deep green and triangular in shape
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Leaves have split at the edges
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Under the right conditions, leaves can reach a height of 6 feet in length
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The stems of the leaves are thick
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The best feature is that they can support themselves
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These houseplants can be planted indoors at any time of the year. However, it can be planted outdoors when the temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
Split Leaf Philodendron Propagation Technique
Though there are multiple options (air layering, seedlings) to grow split level philodendrons, the best way is using a stem cuttings method. Air layering is not preferred as it requires technical experience. Growing split-leaf philodendrons from seed is not possible because they don’t produce seeds when grown indoors. Therefore, you won’t get seeds to grow. Let’s know about propagation from stem cuttings:
Cut the Stem
The first step is to identify a well-rooted split-leaf philodendron. Then, cut six inches of stem from the outside.
Prepare Potting Soil
At this step, prepare the potting mix. Take potting soil in a container and make it damp with water. Make small holes in the soil with little space in between the soil because you have to plant your cuttings in these holes.
Plant the Stem-Cutting
Now, it’s time to put the bottom of the stem in the holes made in the soil. Push the stem down into the soil to keep them upright.
Cover the Cutting
This is an important part of the propagation. You should cover the newly planted stem with a plastic sheet to trap moisture, which can help the stem grow fast.
Check the Rooting of the Planted Stem
The stem cutting takes around three weeks for proper rooting. Hence, keep an eye on the rooting progress. You can also gently pull the stem to check if root balls have started to form or not. Once you are sure it’s rooted, transfer it to a bigger pot with drainage holes without damaging the root balls.
How to Report the Split-Leaf Philodendron?
Once propagation is done, it’s time for repotting. Frequent repotting helps the plant reach a height of 6 feet indoors. Smaller plants outgrow their pots in a limited time. Hence, annual reporting is required. Whereas larger pots take time to outgrow their pots, so annual repotting will be enough. Here is the method to repot the plants:
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Take out plants from the existing pot and clean around the roots to remove loose soil.
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If roots have started to circle around the bottom of the pot, tease the roots to untangle them.
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Take the right soil mix and fill the new pot. To decide the level of bottom soil in the new pot, keep the old pot nearby to check the height of the bottom soil.
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Put the plant in the pot gently, spreading the roots outwards. Make sure to fill the gap in the pot with soil mix below the rim of the pot.
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Finally, press around the base to help the roots settle down. Also, water them and put them back to their original spot.
How to Care for Split-Leaf Philodendrons?
Growing a plant is undoubtedly a work of precision, but all your hard work is worth it when it grows fast and healthy. To ensure the healthy growth of plants, after care is important. Here is the list of care tips:
Proper Light
It requires bright and indirect light to thrive. Though it can grow in medium light, it takes time to grow in such a condition. Place the pot under bright and filtered lighting conditions.
Adequate Humidity
Though split leaf philodendron requires humidity above 40%, it even thrives under household humidity. However, if you want to increase the humidity, make use of a humidifier or occasional misting. The risk of fungal and bacterial growth is higher with misting, so keep in mind the risk factors.
Balanced Watering
A proper watering schedule is of utmost importance for most plants, and split-leaf philodendron is one of them. Though it does not require much watering, prolonged dryness can cause brown spots on the edges of the leaf. Water them only when the top 2-2.5” of soil gets dry.
Fertilizer
This plant requires fertilizer during the growing season. Make sure you use water soluble fertilizer for better effect.
Pruning
Pruning them is essential because they grow fast and occupy too much space when grown indoors. Regular pruning helps in the better management of these plants. You can cut the stems and use them to grow new plants.
Other Care
It grows well in soil rich in peat moss. It needs well-drained soil to prevent root rot. It’s advisable to keep them away from the reach of children because it’s toxic to animals and kids.
Conclusion
Growing split-leaf philodendrons is a beautiful option to fill indoor and outdoor spaces with natural beauty. Growing them is affordable and easy, but it requires some caring hands for robust growth. Hence, care for them to ensure they grow healthy.
