Philodendron micans, also known as the velvet leaf philodendron, is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners. With these propagation tips and growing guide, you will be able to enjoy the lush and vibrant foliage of this stunning plant in your own home.
Philodendron micans propagation is top on the fun list of gardening parents. This crawling plant is a fast grower that spreads around your space in a short time. To keep the plant healthy, you must prune Philodendron micans routinely. Now comes the fun part.
Instead of throwing the overgrowths into the trash can, the plant parent enjoys watching the propagation of new plant growth through Philodendron micans. If you are a new plant parent seeking to bring this plant into your home, this article will help guide you on a successful Philodendron micans propagation journey.
Intriguing Facts About Philodendron Micans
What do we know about this beautiful, velvety wall-crawler? Let’s get into some mind-blowing facts about this plant baby:
- You may have thought philodendron micans is the velvet leaf’s botanical name. You are not alone on this thought, but we are all wrong. Its botanical name is quite a mouth full – Philodendron hederaceum var.
- Philodendron micans also have other names, including velvet leaf philodendron, heart leaf philodendron, and sweetheart philodendron
- A fun fact is that this velvet beauty detoxifies the house and keeps the air clean
- You would expect that it is friendly to humans and pets. Yet this is not the case, as the velvet leaf philodendron is toxic to dogs, cats, and people when ingested.
- Philodendron micans is a native of the Caribbeans but is hardy and can adapt to all climes.
The Benefits of Philodendron Micans as an Indoor Plant
Philodendron micans not only adds beauty to your indoor space but also provides several benefits. Its lush foliage enhances the aesthetics of any room, creating a calming and inviting atmosphere. Moreover, this plant is known for its air-purifying qualities, effectively detoxifying the air by removing harmful toxins and pollutants.
By having a Philodendron micans in your home, you can enjoy cleaner and fresher air, promoting a healthier living environment.
Requirements for Philodendron Micans Propagation
To have a fun experience of Philodendron micans propagation, you must create a conducive growth environment for this velvet leaf plant. Here are some of its essential needs:
1. Lighting Requirements
Being a native of the tropical Caribbeans, philodendron micans loves light and warmth. Yet, it shies away from direct sunlight as it might get sunburns, so, to balance its wants, you must provide bright, indirect light.
The philodendron micans can adapt and grow in low light. This is because the plant is hardy and forgiving. Yet, the plant will have small leaves and more stalks as it does not have sufficient light supply for photosynthesis. So, to grow your plant baby optimally, it is best to place it near bright light sources.
2. Ideal Soil Type
The ideal soil for Philodendron micans propagation is a well-draining rich soil mix. The best soil type is loamy soil, with high organic content. Add perlite or peat moss to the soil mix to improve its draining ability. This also increases aeration and keeps the philodendron micans roots happy and healthy.
3. Watering Needs
The velvet leaf philodendron does not need high levels of water supply. So, it is best to ensure the soil is dry before watering. The potting soil will appear a lighter shade when it is dry. This is the appropriate time to water your Philodendron micans.
As a parent to this exotic plant, you must be observant and careful when tending to its watering needs. This is because you must avoid overwatering at all costs—Overwatering predisposes the plant to root rot and fungal and bacterial infections. So, create a flexible watering routine that helps you keep the philodendron happy without flooding its roots.
4. Fertilizer Application
The Philodendron micans plant does not require constant fertilizer application to thrive. But in the warm summer periods, when growth is most rapid, it may need some help to keep up with nutrition. At this time, use a liquid houseplant fertilizer on your plant baby. This is safe, and the nutrients come in a dissolved form, making absorption easy.
In the cold winter period, when plant growth is slowest, it helps to cease fertilizer application. This helps you to prevent fertilizer toxicity that results from the accumulation of the salts in the fertilizer.
during the plan’s growing season, add some fertilizer to the watering can
5. Humidity and Temperature
Philodendron micans are happiest when their environment is humid. Yet, it would be best if you did not drown the roots as it has dire consequences. So, you can keep high humidity levels by misting the plant leaves with a humidifier.
You can also use a stone tray beneath the potting soil to keep it humid without being overly wet. The velvet leaf philodendron is a tropical plant, so you must keep its temperature warm. The optimal growing temperature for the Philodendron micans plant is between 65-80F.
Philodendron Micans Propagation Tips
Sometimes, the philodendron micans vines grow too long to the detriment of the plant. This is because the plant may be unable to synthesize sufficient nutrients to keep healthy. So, you must prune the plant at intervals.
A widespread concern is what to do with the overshoots when you cut. If these are healthy, you can repot them. Yet, philodendron micans propagation requires skills and technique. And I will show you how.
- To successfully propagate philodendron micans, you must root the fresh cuttings. It is easiest to do this with the plant’s nodes.
- The nodes are usually near the leaves. These nodes may start to develop aerial roots, which makes them easier to propagate.
- Ensure that your cuttings are about 13cm long and have 2-3 leaves at the aerial part of the cutting
- Cut with clean clippers or scissors at 45°, just above the nodes
- Plant in rich soil that has high organic matter
These are the preliminary processes for successful philodendron micans propagation. You may choose to grow the roots in water for a few days before planting in potting soil or plant it directly in the soil.
Growing Cuttings in Water
To grow roots from the cuttings in water, follow these steps:
- Place the cuttings in a jar of clean water and ensure that the nodes are in the water
- Keep the jar from direct sunlight, but let them access bright, indirect light
- Replace the water routinely
- Transplant in a few weeks when the roots grow out of the node
Growing Cuttings in Soil
Planting the philodendron cuttings directly in the soil is less tasking but requires an optimal growth environment to do well. To do this:
- Prepare a plant pot with sufficient drainage holes
- Pour in the potting soil mix, which include the soil, peat moss for drainage and aeration, and a few pebbles
- To improve growth rate, use a rooting hormone or cinnamon on the cut area
- This helps the nodes to develop roots faster and keeps the plant free of fungi
- Water the soil routinely without flooding the roots
Also read: Philodendron Birkin Propagation
Summary
The Philo micans is a happy-go-lucky plant that lends warmth and beauty to your living space. Philodendron micans propagation is easy when you have adequate information to guide you through.
Following the above tips, you can become an excellent plant parent. You will make your velvet leaf plant happy with the appropriate soil type, watering, exposure to light, humidity, and temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Philo micans parents also ask:
Do Philodendron micans need pruning?
Yes. They grow rapidly during summer and may become weak at the aerial parts. This is due to an inadequate supply of nutrition. To help the plant do well, pruning must control its size and shape.
Why are my Philodendron micans so leggy?
Leggy Philodendron micans plants signify insufficient light supply. Philodendron micans do best in bright, indirect light. When the light is inadequate, the stalks stretch to reach for more light, and this causes the leggy appearance of your plant.
It helps to prune the leggy parts of your heartleaf philodendron and expose it to adequate indirect light. If your space does not have an adequate supply of sunlight, you can get growth lights to help with propagation.
How fast do philodendron micans grow?
Philodendron micans experience rapid growth when the conditions are optimal, and there is sufficient room to crawl as they grow.
How do you propagate micans?
You can propagate this plant in water and place it in potting soil after the roots develop. This is easy because its nodes produce new roots and can become independent Philodendron micans plants.
Use clean and sharp clippers or scissors to cut below the nodes at about ¼ inch of the outgrowths. Place the cutting in clean water, changing the water after a few days. Watch for root growth in a few weeks, and plant in appropriate potting soil.
Conclusion
The velvet leaf philodendron does not need intense care to thrive. It does well when the environment is conducive, and there is little traffic around it. So, Philodendron micans propagation is easy and fun for every plant parent.
You can get away with rookie mistakes with the Philo micans, but you can also do excellently with adequate information. So, keep looking to learn more about these plant babies and every other plant.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
