Question
heartleaf plant wiltin
i have had this amazing heartleaf philodendron plant since november.the vines/leaves have grown very long. i have two of the same kind and they have been here since January. they are'nt as long. I'd say the pot size is medium its hanging by a window with a curtain so it isn't getting direct sunlight. i haven't ever repotted it. but the vines and leaves are drooping and i water it twice a week. the others arent drooping just this one. i don't know if i should pin up the vines cause maybe the weight might be the problem its pretty heavy for this plant. what do i do? water it more? pin up the heavy vines? trim it? re-pot it? buy anything? help me please.
Thank you very much,
Lacei-Brooke
AnswerHi Lacei,
I am concerned about the light you are providing, but the wilting is more likely caused by excessive dryness. As plants increase the total number of leaves, they need more water to support those additional leaves. That and the pot size and the potting mix may account for the difference between this Philodendron and your others.
In addition, the way you have it hanging makes it difficult to water thoroughly. I suggest that you take the plant down and to the sink where you can give the soil a thorough drenching without worrying about spilling excess water. This is necessary because once the soil becomes very dry, it becomes water repellent and does not absorb the water when you water in the usual manner.
After this thorough drenching and saturation of the soil, you should see most of the leaves perk up over night. However, don't be surprised if you see some yellow leaves subsequently as the plant reacts to what it experienced as drought. Just remove those leaves and the plant should be fine. Of course, you will need to alter your watering routine to keep it from drying out too much.
The light as shown in the photo is not adequate for your Philodendron. If it does not perk after watering as I described, then poor light may the reason for the droopiness. You have it hanging far enough to the side of the window that covering the window with blinds is not necessary and is shading too much of the light.
The weight of the long vines and leaves is not detrimental to your plant. However, eventually your Philodendron will reach the maximum number of leaves it can support. At that point, it will continue to produce new leaves at the ends of the vines, but it will sacrifice older leaves closer to the pot in order to continue growing. Eventually, you end up with long, bare vines at the top and lots of leaves trailing across the floor. Pruning is the only way to prevent this. Any vine can be cut at any point and then new growth will emerge at the point on the cut vine. One technique is to select the longest vine and prune it back to a length of about 6 inches. After you see new growth coming in on that cut vine, select another long vine and repeat. This is a way to gradually recycle your plant and keep it looking attractive at all times.
There is no need to repot your Philodendron unless it requires a thorough watering every other day. If you do repot, move it up one size larger and no more than that.
I have written an article on Philodendron and Pothos (which yours may actually be) care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at
[email protected].
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
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