How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil is the common name for a colorful cultivar of heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), a popular, vining houseplant. Philodendron Brasil has distinct splashes of lime-green variegation on the otherwise classic green leaves. This tropical plant likes bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and moderate humidity.

Like most Philodendron, this plant is toxic to people and pets.

Philodendron Brasil Care

Here are the main requirements for growing philodendron Brasil:

• Provide it with bright, indirect light for best variegation results.
• Plant it in well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
• Water regularly but do not overwater or leave in soggy soil.
• Fertilize it monthly during the growing season in the spring and summer.
• Prune to remove dead foliage and to control its size.
  

Light

Philodendron Brasil is able to survive in a range of lighting conditions but will show its variegation best in bright, indirect light. In low-light conditions, the plant will get leggy and lose its variegation.

Soil

The plant survives in a standard indoor potting mix, however, it will thrive in slightly acid soil that is specifically designed for philodendron and other aroids (members of the Araceae family). Either buy commercially produced philodendron potting mix or make your own by mixing equal amounts of worm castings, perlite, peat moss or coco coir, and orchid bark.

Water

Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings and then water well. Philodendron Brasil is sensitive to overwatering and should never be left in soggy soil for extended periods. 

Temperature and Humidity

Native to the tropical rainforests of South America, philodendron Brasil grows best in warm, humid conditions. The plant does well indoors in typical household temperature and humidity levels, although providing it with extra humidity will encourage larger and more vigorous growth. These philodendrons are not cold tolerant and should never be left in temperatures below 55 to 60 degrees F.

Fertilizer

During the growing season in the spring and summer, the plant benefits from a monthly application of a complete balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. Stop fertilizing altogether in the fall and winter as the plant enters dormancy.

Pruning

Under the right conditions, philodendron Brasil is a fast grower that may require light pruning to keep its size manageable. Pruning also helps to encourage fuller growth and larger leaves. Pruning should be done in the spring or early summer while the plant is actively growing. 

Using a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears prune any stems that are particularly long or unruly or grow only small leaves. Set the stem cuttings aside to use for propagation.

Propagating Philodendron Brasil

As with many plants in the philodendron genus, philodendron Brasil is easily propagated from stem cuttings. Propagating philodendron is a great way to start new plants or create a fuller plant by rooting the cuttings and then planting them back in the original pot. Here is how it’s done:

1. Take 4- to 5-inch stem cuttings using a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears. Ensure that each cutting has at least four to six leaves on the stem.
2. Remove the bottom two to three leaves from each stem cutting to expose the nodes along the stem, leaving two to three leaves on each cutting. 
3. Place the cuttings in water, ensuring that the exposed nodes are submerged while the leaves remain above the water. Put the cuttings in a location with bright, indirect light. 
4. Within two to four weeks, you should begin to see small white roots sprouting from the nodes below the water. Once the roots have reached 1 inch in length, the cuttings are ready to be transplanted into pots. 
5. Plant the newly rooted cuttings in a container filled with damp, well-draining potting mix. Return them to the same location where they have been growing for the past several weeks.
6. For the first two to three weeks after planting, keep the soil regularly moist (but not soggy) to help the newly sprouted roots adjust to the potting mix.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron Brasil

This is a fast-growing plant that will need to be repotted every year or two. Like other Philodendron, it does not like to be root-bound. Repot in the spring or summer when it is growing, which reduces plant stress. You will know it's time to repot the plant when you see roots poking out of the pot's drainage holes. Only go up one pot size, make sure the container has sufficient drainage holes, and fill it with fresh potting mix.

Common Pests

While philodendron Brasil is not susceptible to any particular pests or diseases, keep an eye out for common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Regularly inspecting your plants for pests and proactive treatment is the key to preventing infestations.

Common Problems With Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil is low-maintenance and problem-free when grown under the right conditions. However, you may notice some of these common problems if something is off with your watering schedule or lighting conditions.

Curling Leaves

Curling leaves are an indication that your plant is not receiving enough water. Ensure that you are watering once the top couple inches of soil have dried out and avoid letting your plant sit in fully dry soil for too long. Sometimes, if you forget to water your plant for an extended period, the roots of your plant may have dried up meaning it can’t absorb water even when it is watered. If this is the case, you will need to regrow the roots to save your plant (follow the steps for stem-cutting propagation above).

Browning Tips

Browning leaf tips can have different causes; usually it’s a result of your philodendron being exposed to overly dry conditions. Ensure that you don’t have an air vent blowing directly on the leaves and consider providing your plant with extra humidity using a pebble tray or humidifier. Another culprit is too much direct sunlight; the browned leaves are simply burnt. Browning leaves can also be caused by lack of water. Ensure that you don’t let the plant dry out too much between waterings.

Loss of Variegation

Loss of variegation is due to a lack of light. In low light conditions, the philodendron Brasil will begin to revert to a standard heartleaf philodendron. Ensure that you move your plant to a brighter location, and cut off the pieces of the plant that have reverted in order to promote new variegated growth.