Philodendron gloriosum has large heart-shaped, velvety leaves with distinct veins. Native to South America, it is fond of warm and humid conditions. Philodendron gloriosum is a creeper plant, meaning it grows by crawling along the ground and sending up leaf stems.
This plant adds a lovely tropical feel to any home and is a great addition to any indoor garden. Continue reading to learn more about Philodendron gloriosum care and how you can grow a thriving houseplant.
For other plant care guides, check here.
| Name | Philodendron gloriosum |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight (direct light burns the leaves) |
| Water | One to two times a week |
| Soil | Well-draining soil with organic matter |
| Temperature | Room temperature (65 to 75 °F or 18 to 24 °C) |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to animals and humans |
Philodendron Gloriosum Care:
Philodendron Gloriosum Growth
Philodendron gloriosum is a slow-growing houseplant. A leaf may take one to two months to fully open and grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in length indoors.
Fun fact: In their native habitat, Philodendron gloriosum leaves can reach a height of 3 feet (90 cm) (unfortunately it probably won’t grow that large as a houseplant).
Philodendron Gloriosum Light Needs
Bright, indirect light brings out Philodendron gloriosum’s beautiful veined pattern and promote leaf growth.
An East or West facing window is best because it provides enough light without burning the plant. Covering the window with a sheer curtain or keeping your Philodendron a few feet away from the window provides the indirect light your plant needs.
While Philodendron gloriosum tolerates shade, it grows faster in brighter light. If your window does not provide enough sunlight, try supplementing with a grow light. The grow light should be kept at least 2 feet away from the plant.
On the other hand, excess sunlight causes sunburn, especially if the leaves are exposed to direct rays for a long time, so it is a delicate balance to find the right location.
Rotate the Philodendron every few days so each side receives enough sunlight and grows evenly.
Dust the leaves frequently so the plant can photosynthesize properly.
Insufficient Light
Philodendrons that do not receive adequate light have faded colors and smaller growth. If your Philodendron has long, leggy stems with big distances between the leaves, it is not receiving enough light. Move it closer to the window or supplement with a grow light.
Related article: 12 Best Plants for Low Light Bathrooms
Too Much Light
If you notice brown sunburn spots appearing on the leaves, move the plant further away from the window. Unfortunately, once sunburned, the brown spots do not fade away.
Philodendron Gloriosum Watering
In general, Philodendron should be watered one to two times a week. Prior to watering, check that the top inch of soil feels dry. Philodendron like moist, but not soggy, soil.
Watering before the soil has time to dry out leads to root rot. If you find the soil staying wet for long periods of time, add more perlite or pumice to the mix to improve drainage.
When watering, water the soil at the base of the plant. Make sure that water does not sit on the leaves for too long because that can lead to rot as well. If you do get some water on these areas, wipe it off with a tissue.
Watering tips
- In general, plants in a hotter and drier environment require more frequent watering. Your Philodendron will require more or less water depending on the season and other environmental conditions.
- Use room temperature water when watering: very cold or very hot water shocks the roots.
- Use filtered water. You can also leave a bowl of tap water out overnight before watering so that any chlorine has time to evaporate. This way, you do not have to worry about water high in salts damaging the plant.
Drooping Leaves on Philodendron Gloriosum
Drooping leaves are due to under or over watering. To figure out the problem, stick a finger in the soil to see if it is too dry or too wet and adjust your watering as needed. If your plant is not already in a well-draining soil mix, consider planting it in one.
Philodendron Gloriosum Soil
Philodendron need a well-draining potting soil with high organic matter. An organic houseplant potting soil mixed with some perlite, pumice or orchid bark keeps your Philodendron happy.
Adding horticultural charcoal helps to draw out toxins and protect against bacteria and fungi.
Philodendron Gloriosum Pot
Since Philodendron gloriosum is a creeper plant, long and narrow rectangular pots are better than round ones. This gives the plant more room to crawl along the soil.
Choose a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom so that extra water is able to drain, which prevents root rot.
Repotting Philodendron Gloriosum
When your Philodendron has grown over the edge of its pot and the new growth appears smaller, it is time to repot.
Repot once every one to two years during the springtime.
Choose a pot that is one to two inches larger than the current one. Do not choose a pot much larger than that because the excess soil can retain too much water and drown the roots.
Gently remove the plant from the pot and prune any rotten or damaged roots. Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil and secure the plant in place. Let the rhizome stay partly above ground.
You can divide a crowded plant into several smaller plants when re-potting it if you do not want one large Philodendron.
Philodendron Gloriosum Fertilizer
Fertilize your Philodendron gloriosum once a month from spring to fall.
Excessive fertilization causes salt build-up, which shows up as white crust on the soil or pot. If this occurs, do not fertilize for a few months and water your plant to flush out the soil.
Small leaves and stunted growth may be due to a lack of nutrients. Consider fertilizing if you have not done so in a while.
Philodendron Gloriosum Propagation
Philodendron Gloriosum can be propagated from cuttings following these steps:
- Take a pair of sharp garden shears and obtain a cutting that is 3 to 6 inches long. Choose a long, healthy stem.
- Cut the stem at the joint that meets the main crown.
- Water the mother plant after cutting to minimize stress on the plant.
- Let the cutting callous for a few hours.
- Plant the cutting in a pot with well-draining potting soil.
- Place in indirect sunlight and water until the soil is moist.
- Roots may be slow to appear but be patient!
Pruning Philodendron Gloriosum
Prune yellow and dead leaves at the stem’s base. Use sharp and clean pruning shears or scissors. Water the plant afterwards to minimize stress.
Philodendron Gloriosum Temperature & Humidity
Philodendron gloriosum prefer temperatures between 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C). Bring them indoors for the winter because they are not a fan of the cold.
Philodendrons like humidity between 60 and 80%. If your air is especially dry (below 40% humidity), your plant will appreciate an indoor humidifier so its leaves do not dry up. Alternatively, you fill a tray with pebbles and a thin layer of water. Place the pot on top of the pebbles, making sure it is not in direct contact with the water. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
Avoid placing your Philodendron near an air-conditioning vent or heater as they can dry up the air.
Is Philodendron Gloriosum Toxic?
Philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause irritation of the mouth and GI tract if they are ingested. Wear gloves when handling the plant so it does not irritate the skin.
Keep this houseplant away from dogs, cats and children.
Philodendron Gloriosum Infestation
Philodendron may be infested by mealybugs, scale, aphids, or spider mites.
Signs of infestation to watch out for:
- Misshapen leaves
- Cottony-white substance
- Yellow spots
- Black spots or mold like substance
If you notice any of these signs, closely examine your Philodendron. Quarantine it so the infestation does not spread and check any neighboring plants for pests as well.
Wash your plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Then spray the plant with 70% rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil. Note: spraying with rubbing alcohol makes the leaves especially susceptible to the sun, so be sure to keep the Philodendron out of direct light to avoid leaf burning.
Repeat the above steps once every 4 to 7 days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take a few weeks. Be patient, pests can linger for a while!
Avoiding infestations
It is much easier to avoid infestations in the first place, rather than trying to fight them after the fact. Follow these tips to avoid bringing home any unwanted guests:
- Carefully inspect any houseplant prior to bringing it home from the nursery. Quarantine any new plants for a few weeks to be sure there are no insects before moving them near your other houseplants. This way, if it turns out that the plant is infested, you do not have to worry about spread to any other houseplants.
- Similarly, be sure to inspect any plants you are bringing indoors from outside.
- Dusty leaves promote spider mite spread, so keep them clean. Every few weeks, dust the leaves with a damp cloth.
Common Philodendron Gloriosum Problems
While Philodendron gloriosum is easy to care for, these are some common problems plant owners may face.
Why are the leaves of my Philodendron gloriosum turning yellow?
Yellow Philodendron leaves may be due to:
- Normal aging: If older leaves turn yellow and die, it is a part of the natural aging process of the plant. However, if newer leaves are yellowing, this signals a different problem.
- Direct light: Too much direct light causes yellow leaves. Move your gloriosum farther away from the window to an area with indirect light.
- Over watering: Philodendron are not happy in soaking wet soil and will turn yellow. Reduce your watering frequency, and only water when the top inch of soil is dry. You may need to add perlite or pumice to increase drainage so the roots can breathe.
Philodendron Gloriosum Root Rot/Dying Philodendron Gloriosum
Signs of root rot include:
- Brown spots on leaves
- The stem is turning black and losing its shape
- Bottom leaves of the plant are mushy or translucent
- The bottom leaves fall off easily
Remove the plant from its soil and remove any rotten parts (they are black and slimy). If the rot has progressed into the stem, cut off the stem until you have clean tissue without any signs of rot.
Allow this cutting to dry out for several days then plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Wait a week after potting to water again. Decrease your watering frequency to prevent rot again.
For a complete guide to fixing root rot, check here.
Why are the leaves of my Philodendron Gloriosum turning brown?
Brown Philodendron leaves may be due to:
- Low humidity: dry air browns the leaves. As a tropical plant, Philodendron needs medium to high humidity to thrive. Move the plant to a more humid room, keep a humidifier nearby, or place the pot in a pebble tray (as explained above).
- Direct light: bright, direct light burns the leaves and turns them brown. Move the plant farther away from the window so it receives indirect light.
- Improper watering: over and under watering both cause brown leaves. You may notice drooping or limp leaves. Stick a finger in the soil to test the moisture and adjust your watering frequency as necessary (see the above tips about watering for more information).
In summary for Phildendron Gloriosum care…
With large velvety leaves and prominent vein patterns, this houseplant is a great addition to your indoor garden. Follow the above tips to grow a thriving Philodendron gloriosum.
Have any more questions about Philodendron gloriosum care? Let me know in the comments below!
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