Philodendron squamiferum

These tropical plants should be kept in mild to bright indirect sunlight. In the summer, a place with some shade is perfect. However, in the winter, a position with brilliant indirect sunlight is ideal.

When deciding to repot this beauty, make sure to use an indoor potting mix that contains one part perlite to 4 parts indoor compost. This will prevent the soil from compacting and suffocating the roots. The plant prefers a slightly acidic soil. This can be achieved with adding 1 part pine bark chips to the mix, or using a fertiliser designed for ericaceous plants, at the start of the growing season.

Fertilise every other week, during the growing season, with a balanced organic fertiliser and mist every other day to keep the dust from building up on the leaves and provide the much needed moisture in the air around the plant.

P.squamiferum loves water, but is more susceptible to overwatering than other Philodendrons. Keep the soil damp and water as soon as the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Rotted stalks and drooping foliage is a sign of an overwatered squamiferum.

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek ‘philo’ meaning love, and ‘dendron’ meaning tree. Hence, this tree lover is a climber and will require support to allow it to reach its full potential.

What support you give it is up to you and your creativity, but traditionally they are grown up a mesh wire column, bamboo supports or a choir pole (sometimes also called a moss pole), which will provide the support needed for the plant to climb up.

In a bright indirect setting, the plant will grow bushier and stems are shorter, while in a medium light or dark shade it will become leggy and leaves will become more pale green.