White Wizard Philodendron Care

 

According to most garden lovers the White Wizard Philodendron is a rare variegated houseplant that is known for its deep green leaves splashed with bright white patterns. The White Wizard Philodendron grows slowly compared to other philodendrons, although with the right care, the plant can become a stunning indoor plant.

White Wizard Philodendron Light Requirements

Bright, indirect light is actually the best.

·  Make sure you place it near an east- or north-facing window.

·  Make sure you avoid harsh afternoon sun because the white sections of the plant can burn easily.

·  Too little light may actually reduce variegation and then cause leggy growth.

A grow light can help the plant if your room is dim.

Watering Requirement

You can water when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry.

·  You need to keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy.

·  Make sure you empty excess water from the drainage tray.

·  Overwatering can easily lead to root rot.

Signs to check:

·  Yellow leaves = this is often cause by too much water

·  Drooping leaves = usually thirsty or stressed plant roots

Best Soil Mix To Use

You can use a chunky, well-draining aroid mix.

A high-quality blend includes:

·  Orchid bark

·  Perlite

·  Coco coir or peat moss

·  Potting soil

This keeps the White Wizard Philodendron roots airy while holding enough moisture.

Temperature & Humidity Requirements

The ideal conditions:

·  Temperature: sixty-five to eighty-five Fahrenheit  

·  Humidity: sixty percent or higher

In dry rooms you can use:

·  Pebble tray

·  Grouping plants together

·  A humidifier

Fertilizer Requirement

You can feed the plant monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Make sure you avoid over-fertilizing because variegated plants are more sensitive to salt buildup.

Potting and Repotting

·  Repot every one to two years or when the plant roots outgrow the pot.

·  Make sure you choose a pot with drainage holes.

·  You can only move up one pot size at a time.

Pruning The Plant

·  Trim yellow or damaged leaves

·  Trim long leggy stems

You can use clean scissors to prevent the spread of disease.

Plant Propagation

One of the easiest methods of propagation is stem cuttings.

The steps:

1.    You can just cut below a node with at least one leaf.

2.    The place the plant cutting in water or moist sphagnum moss.

3.    Make sure you keep it in warm, bright indirect light.

4.    The roots usually appear within a few weeks.

Common Problems of White Wizard Philodendron

Brown Leaf Edges

This is usually caused by:

·  Low humidity

·  Under-watering

·  Too much direct sun on the plant

Loss of Variegation

This is usually caused by insufficient light.

Root Rot

This is usually from overly wet soil or poor drainage.

Pests on the plant

Make sure you watch for:

·  Mealybugs

·  Fungus gnats

·  Spider mites

You can use Neem oil or insecticidal soap.