Philodendron Florida Ghost is an exotic hybrid that is a dream to have in your garden. These plants are rare and way different from the other plants of philodendron families. They are attractive, calming, and provide warmth to their environment. These beautiful plants have unique qualities that make them different from all the other green plants we usually come across.
The stems of these plants are longer than that of the other plants of the philodendron family. “Philodendron” is worth mentioning because of its literal meaning. In Greek, this word refers to something that hugs a tree. Therefore, these plants are wildly famous for their vine climbing qualities.
What Makes Philodendron Florida Ghost Unique?
Philodendron Florida Ghost is attractive and eye-catching because of its bright green color. However, this plant did not always have this color; it changes color throughout its lifecycle. When philodendron Florida ghost starts to come out of their seeds, they unfurl in white, looking like little ghosts around the plant pot. Due to this unique feature, people refer to these pants as Florida Ghost, indicating the white.
As time goes by, they tend to change their color by turning into a very pretty yellow with a tinge of green. Philodendron Florida Ghost, at this stage, is so pretty to look at.
However, this phase does not last long, and soon it turns into a mature plant. At this stage, they change their color to bright green. While this color adds to its beauty, it also brings some challenges for the gardener. If you have this plant, you will have to observe an extensive care routine for your beloved plants, as they might die if not given proper care.
Another feature of the Philodendron Florida Ghost that makes this plant unique is its shape. This plant has multi-layered lobes; all of them are differently shaped than the other. Every leaflet is diverse and assorted in different shapes, which makes it a sight for sore eyes. Due to its uneven leaflets, this plant will stand out from all the other plants in your garden.
What are the Benefits of Planting Philodendron Florida Ghost?
Philodendron Florida Ghost plants are not only beautiful, but they are also extremely beneficial for the environment. Here are some benefits of planting this unique breed of Araceae family:
- Philodendron Florida Ghost purifies the air that surrounds it.
- If you surround yourself with this plant, you will be exposed to nothing but clean oxygen to breathe.
- Philodendron Florida Ghost gives a calm and soothing vibe to the place.
How to Care for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Philodendron Florida Ghost plants are famous for their unique shapes and colors. However, if you plan on planting them in your garden, you will have to know the basics of how to care for them. Tending to these plants is easy and so much fun if you know what you are doing.
There are four factors you need to be mindful of while taking care of Philodendron Florida Ghost:
- Watering
- Feeding
- Pruning
- Pest Control
We are providing an in-depth guide to taking care of Philodendron Florida Ghost plants, in which we will discuss all the factors mentioned above in detail.
Watering
Philodendron Florida Ghost requires an adequate amount of water to grow. Just like any other plant, it cannot grow without water. You need to water this plant at least twice a week. Make sure you are watering the middle of the plant as this is the place that needs water the most.
However, if you are growing Philodendron Florida Ghost in a pot, you should water it every other day. Unlike the String of Turtles plant, which needs little water, the Florida Ghost needs regular watering. Dry soil is the death of this plant. You need to water it to keep it growing.
Once you have watered the plant, dip your finger in the soil until it is 2.5cm deep inside. As soon as you feel like your second knuckle is touching the soil’s surface, feel whether or not it is wet. If you feel the dryness, water the plant again.
The soil remains moist for a day or two. Therefore, you should water the plant every couple of days.
Another way of knowing whether it wants more water or fewer water supplies is by detecting its color change. If you feel like your plant is weathered or turning yellow day by day, it means that you need to increase the water supply.
On the other hand, if the plant is becoming waterlogged, you need to let the roots dry before the next water supply. Overwatering might be the cause of their immediate death.
Therefore, it is important to maintain the water levels. Increase or decrease the water supply a couple of times, see if the plant flourishes or becomes droopy, and adjust accordingly.
You might not want to stay so vigilant during the winter times. The cold weather allows the weather to settle inside the roots without drying out every so often. Therefore, you can lay back and relax. However, keep checking the roots every week to see the situation of the root. Don’t let them rot.
Feeding
Philodendron Florida Ghost requires sustainable feed, consisting of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. These plants need a fertilizer that has an equal amount of all these three substances. Make sure that the feed is minimal so as not to overdose on it.
The best way to provide an adequate amount of feeding to this plant is through foliar feeding. You can prepare a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer and water the plants using this formula.
As feeding should be minimal, make sure to utilize this solution once a month during summer and spring. On the other hand, winters and autumns call for this feed once every two months.
If you are unsure when to provide feed to Philodendron Florida Ghost, look out for the small leaves. Even though this plant grows slowly, the additional stunted growth indicates that it is underfed and requires extra feeding.
Do not rely on the color of this plant. They change as time goes by. Always look for the texture of the plant; if it looks weary, it requires additional episodes of watering and feeding.
Pruning
Philodendron Florida Ghosts do not require much pruning. Unlike most plants that die during the cold weather and grow back once the spring comes, these plants are naturally greener and livelier that breathe even during the winter season. However, they do not grow or produce new leaves in cold weather.
As soon as spring knocks on your door, treat your plants by removing weary, tethered leaves and making way for newer, brighter leaves. Give special attention to the underside of the plant. This is because the healthy leaves tend to make a home there, hiding away from the spotlight.
Pest Control
Philodendron Florida Ghosts are often prone to pests that ruin the health of the plant. These pests are the result of inadequate water supply. If you do not take care of these plants, they will become a victim of pests and various other diseases that might be the case of their death.
Therefore, it is important to take proper care of philodendron Florida Ghosts by cleaning them daily and cutting off all the dead leaves that hinder the growth of this plant.
Some of the plant diseases that you need to look out for are as follows:
Root Rot
Root rot is a condition in which the plant rots. Overwatering leads to this heinous disease. If the plant is exposed to excessive water, it might rot and die eventually. Overly sensitive and damp places invite root rot.
Therefore, you must ensure your plant’s health by providing it sufficient water, enough to keep it alive. Do not water it excessively. Check the soil by inserting your finger inside the pot.
If you feel like the soil is too wet, take the plant out and let the soil dry for a day or two. Meanwhile, repot the plant to make sure that its health stays intact.
How do you know if your plant has root rot?
The color of the leaves will tell you something is wrong inside the roots. The bright shine of these leaves will dampen, and they will turn yellowish and weary. This is a clear indication that you need to check the soil for root rot.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is the most common plant diseases philodendron Florida Ghost possesses. It is a bacterial infection that tends to spread fast if you don’t handle it quickly. The manifestation of this infection is a wet sticky liquid that looks and smells gross. It oozes out of the plant and causes it to burn under the effect of this infection. This infection produces a very bad smell that can disrupt the entire decorum of your garden.
Fire blight can kill the plant very quickly. Within a day or two, it spreads inside the roots of the plant and kills it eventually. Moreover, fire blight can travel through the soil to other plants as well.
Handling this disease and rectifying the situation is not easy. However, a simple solution to stop its spread is by cutting off the injured part. Stop the growth of this infection by getting rid of the plant that started its penetration in the first place.
If you have planted them in a pot, repot the plant and discard the previous one. However, if you have planted it in a garden with other plants, it might disrupt the outlook of your entire garden. Get rid of it before it starts infecting other plants.
If you want to protect your plant against this infection, make sure to sterilize your gardening tools and be careful about the placement of the plant.
Xanthomonas Bacterial Leaf Spot
Xanthomonas Bacterial Leaf Spot is another problem many large-leafed plants have to endure. Philodendron Florida Ghost also tends to possess this disease at some point in time.
Xanthomonas Bacterial Leaf spots affect the surface of the leaf. Big blotches, dark spots, and ugly scars start appearing anywhere on the leaves, with a yellow halo surrounding them. These spots ruin the entire look of the bright and beautiful philodendrons and are harmful to their health.
Tackling this disease is a skill not many people have. Therefore, the easy solution is to get a bacterial spray. Fungicides can also work against this heinous disease.
Mealy Bugs
You might have seen small holes in various plants. All thanks to these bugs that feed on the leaves! Mealybugs tend to ruin the health of the plant by sucking on them. Philodendron Florida Ghost also suffers the terrible fate of sucking and piercing the sap. These bugs can be extremely harmful to the health of these bright, beautiful plants, dampening their beauty with the presence of the holes.
Mealybugs are responsible for nutrient deficiency in various plants. Therefore, it is important to treat them before they create havoc inside your garden.
One of the most effective remedies for getting rid of mealybugs is spraying them with neem oil. Spray some on the surface of the leaves and let it sit for a while. Look out for the damaged part and remove it if the damage gets worse.
We recommend always trying natural pest control products before introducing harmful chemicals into your home.
Things Essential for the Growth of Philodendron Florida Ghost
Temperature Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Philodendron Florida Ghosts grow well in normal weather conditions. Neither do they require cold to flourish, nor do they need too much warmth to grow. However, you need to take extra care of these plants in cold weather.
Make sure they don’t freeze under extreme conditions. 18C to 35C is the ideal temperature for the growth of this plant.
Note that Philodendron Florida Ghost grows slowly even in ideal conditions.
Humidity Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Even though the Philodendron Florida Ghost plants do not have special requirements regarding humidity, it might be a wise choice to place them in places with high humidity. Dry weather might affect the growth of this plant. Therefore, try to provide dampness and moisture to keep it growing.
Pebbles tend to add moisture to Philodendron Florida Ghost. If you feel like the dryness affects your plant, fill a tray with pebbles and place it near the pot. You can also place the pot over the pebble tray to get instant results. It will provide the required moisture to the plant and help it grow at a much faster pace.
Fertilizer Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
As mentioned above, Philodendron Florida Ghost plants require a fertilizer with an equal amount of Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous. However, the most important ingredient of them all is nitrogen.
It will help the plant’s rapid growth and ensure that the plant has adequate feed to flourish. Nitrogen also contributes to the health of Philodendron Florida Ghost plants, making them brighter and greener.
Philodendron Florida Ghost plants grow very slowly. If you want to boost the speed of their growth, you can give them a frequent dosage of nitrogen-imbibing fertilizer. Since it is a source of nutrition for these plants, this ingredient will help them grow faster.
Fertilizers require moist soil to work their magic. Fertilizing the plant with dried roots can ultimately harm the overall health of the plant.
Propagation Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Propagation of Philodendron Florida Ghost is very easy. You can cut the unhealthy parts of this plant and let it propagate at its own pace. Stem cutting is the only effective yet convenient method for Philodendron Florida Ghost’s propagation without any additional help from anyone.
Sunlight Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Philodendron Florida Ghost plants require bright sunlight. However, there is a twist to it. If you place it directly under sunlight, the foliage might burn. Therefore, you should place them inside your house when there is enough exposure to the sun. Indirect bright sunlight is beneficial for the Philodendron Florida Ghost plant.
How do you know if the sunlight is too much for the plant?
If several leaves are turning yellows at once, it might be a sign that the sunlight is too much for the Philodendron Florida Ghost plant to bear. However, be mindful that these plants turn yellow as they reach a new phase in life.
Pot Requirements for Philodendron Florida Ghost
Philodendron Florida Ghost plants have a very slow growth rate. Therefore, you don’t need to change the pot for two to three years. You can tend to them using a single pot. However, as soon as you see roots coming out of the pot, it is now time to repot the plant and let it grow in a new environment.
Make sure that the pot you are using is spacious enough to accommodate the roots of the Philodendron Florida Ghost. If you crumple their roots, the plant will suffocate and die eventually.
Useful Tips for the Growth of Philodendron Florida Ghost
If you have a philodendron Florida Ghost, you know the glow they exhibit when you are treating them right. However, if the leaves of your plant are limp, it is a clear indication that you need to up your game for its growth. You need to make your plant happy to let it flourish on its own. Here are some tips for the growth of Philodendron Florida Ghost that might come in handy for you:
- Avoid overwatering the plant. Excessive water can cause root rot.
- If your plant is turning yellow more than usual, it either means you are overwatering it, or the sunlight exposure is unbearable for the plant.
- Ensure that the roots are dry before watering the plant the next time.
- If your plant is turning brown, it indicates that the plant is devoid of the required humidity. You can use a humidifier to rectify the situation.
- Moderate humidity is all Philodendron Florida Ghost requires to grow. However, high humidity boosts the growth of this plant and helps it flourish.
- A pale-looking plant is a clear indication that Philodendron Florida Ghost needs proper nourishment. Lack of nutrients might end up killing the plant.
Final Word
Philodendron Florida Ghost is a beautiful tropical plant with a unique blend of colors you get to see as they mature. These plants are easy to handle and fun to look after. However, they need attention and care to flourish and become the breathtaking green they are famous for.
If you liked this post, you might enjoy our article about cultivating the star anise plant! Or maybe our tips on growing the best Brandywine tomatoes.
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