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One of the hardiest plants is the Philodendron Burle Marx. This plant thrives in a variety of conditions and comes in both a regular and variegated version.
- Water. Philodendron Burle Marx like a thorough water when the top two inches of soil are dry.
- Light. Place your Burle Marx in bright indirect sunlight, but know this plant can also live in medium light.
- Fertilizer. Feed your Burle Marx a natural fertilizer like worm castings or a chemical fertilizer like Dyna-Gro.
- Humidity. Burle Marx can live in average household humidity but higher humidity would promote faster growth.
Philodendron Burle Marx thrives with these plant care tips.
Light
Philodendron Burle Marx is a hardy plant that can live in a variety of light conditions.
A great spot for this plant would be in a room getting south, west, or east facing light.
South facing rooms get the strongest, hottest sunlight of the day so if you place your Burle Marx in this room, make sure the plant doesn’t sit in direct sunlight. You may decide to place a sheer curtain on you window in order to make the sunlight less intense.
Another great option is putting your plant under plant grow lights. I have my Burle Marx sitting in my ikea cabinet under T5 Barrina grow lights.
I’ve also had this plant sitting in a south-facing bedroom about 5 feet away from the window.
Water
Make sure to water your Philodendron Burle Marx whenever the top two inches of soil are dry. Philodendrons are resilient and can even go through some drought but not for too long.
I’ve kept my Philodendron Burle Marx in both well-draining soil and leca and personally prefer the plant in leca. It’s easy to know when to water my Burle Marx. This is because the water level is visible in a clear container full of leca.
If you struggle with knowing when to water your plants, use the simple index finger method and stick your finger in about a knuckle deep. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water your plant. You can also use a moisture meter to check the moisture levels of your soil.
Soil
It’s important to use the proper soil for your Philodendron Burle Marx. This ensures there’s enough oxygen reaching the roots.
An easy soil recipe calls for 50% coco coir, 25% worm castings, and 25% perlite. However, I always like to mix in a bit of orchid bark to make the soil even chunkier. There are also several different perlite sizes and #4 is my favorite, although you can’t buy this size at most big box stores.
If you don’t like using soil, this plant does great in leca and lechuza pon. I have a Burle Marx in leca and it’s thriving.
Temperature
Philodendron Burle Marx do well in any home that is between temperatures of 60 degrees F to 90 degrees (15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius).
Fertilizer
Feeding your plant the proper nutrients is necessary for new plant growth.
It’s important to feed your plant during the active growth season which is typically the spring, summer, and fall months. The dormant season is in the winter season where the plant rests and prepares for the following year of growth.
There are different types of fertilizer and they range from natural to chemical fertilizers.
A natural fertilizer is something like worm castings, which people mix into their soil.
A chemical fertilizer is something typically with a very high NPK ratio like 20-20-20. If the NPK ratio is high, dilute the recipe in half. Strong fertilizer can kill your plant.
You can also use slow release granule fertilizer that you sprinkle on top the plants soil. Every time you water your plant, the granules release into the soil and feed your plant.
Liqui-Dirt is also another great option. While not technically a “fertilizer” it makes for a great plant food that many people use in place of a fertilizer.
Humidity
Philodendrons are tropical houseplants but are some of the most resilient plants on the market, meaning they survive and even thrive in a variety of humidity conditions.
I have many of my Philodendrons living in about 20% humidity. It’s up to you whether you decide to put your plant in average household humidity or higher humidity. Some people say they notice healthier, faster growth when the plant receives higher humidity in the 50%+ range.
Here are my best tips for increasing humidity.
- Arrange high humidity plants together. When you group high humidity plants with each other, this creates a humid microclimate. The plants will continue to release moisture around each other through transpiration.
- Place a pebble tray underneath your high humidity plants. I purchased small rocks at a hardware store and placed them on a planter tray. Place your planter on the tray. Put enough water in the tray until it hits the planter bottom and the water will evaporate around the plant.
- Get a humidifier and have it running daily.
- Place high-humidity plants in your bathroom. I place certain high humidity plants in my shower and they’re thriving.
Propagation
Propagating a Philodendron Burle Marx is easy. All you need to do is take a stem cutting that has at least one node on the stem.
With some clean shears, cut the stem below the node and submerge the node under water. You can place this cutting in a spot getting dappled sunlight or low light.
In a few weeks you’ll notice your stem cutting has roots. Once the roots get to at least three inches long, move your plant to your preferred substrate. Substrate options include houseplant soil, leca, or lechuza pon.
Philodendron Burle Marx Common Questions
Is Philodendron Burle Marx rare?
You won’t find a Philodendron Burle Marx in a big box store like Walmart or Home Depot, but you may find this in a speciality plant store.
I get about 90% of my plants from a local Facebook plant group where people share cuttings and sell plants. That’s where I found my Burle Marx cutting.
How much is a Philodendron Burle Marx?
A 4 inch pot of Philodendron Burle Marx goes for around $20. This plant is on Etsy and other online plant stores.
Is Philodendron Burle Marx hard to care for?
This plant is incredibly easy to care. Burle Marx is a great beginner houseplant.
How do you care for Philodendron Burle Marx?
Caring for a Philodendron Burle Marx is easy as long as you give the plant adequate light, water, and regular fertilizer.
Remember that this plant is resilient and doesn’t need a ton of sunlight and humidity to grow but you may find your plant grows faster if you give it the best conditions.
Is Philodendron Burle Marx a fast grower?
Philodendron Burle Marx is a fast grower. This plant gets bushy very quickly and you may find you’re running out of room.
How big do Philodendron Burle Marx get?
I’ve seen Philodendron Burle Marx get to about 4 feet tall indoors. I bet the plant can grow even higher if you give it adequate support with moss poles or a trellis.
How do I make my Philodendron Burle Marx bigger?
To make your Philodendron Burle Marx bigger, water regularly and make sure you’re giving enough sunlight and fertilizer. Another option is taking cuttings of the plant and putting it back into the plant to produce a bushier look.
Does Philodendron Burle Marx climb?
Philodendron Burle Marx climbs which is why it’s important to give the plant a moss pole or trellis.
How do you propagate Philodendron Burle Marx?
To successfully propagate Philodendron Burle Marx, take a stem cutting with at least one node.
Make sure to use clean, sanitized shears when taking the stem cutting. Place the node under water and place it in a spot getting some indirect sunlight. In a few roots the cutting will have roots. Once the roots are a few inches long, transfer the cutting to houseplant soil.
Is the Philodendron Burle Marx toxic to pets?
Yes, this plant is toxic to pets. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.
Common pests
Philodendrons are quite hardy plants and don’t suffer from pest pressures all that often. It’s still important to stay on top of plant care by using pest preventives. You can use a natural or chemical method to prevent pests.
I use Azamax pest preventative. I mix 1 tablespoon of the solution into 1 gallon of water. Whenever I water my plants, they get a healthy dose of pest preventative and I even mix in some fertilizer.
It’s important to regularly check your plants for bugs because the sooner you see them, the faster you can take care of them so the pests don’t spread.
Common issues
Brown tips: If your Philodendron Burle Marx has brown tips, your plant may be suffering from root rot. Gently take your plant out of the pot and check to see if the roots are mushy, black, or smell. If you notice any of these things, you need to cut off the dead roots and clean the root area with rubbing alcohol or soap. Then you can either replant your Burle Marx in new soil or place in water so the plant can re-root.
Curly leaves: If your Philodendron Burle Marx has curly leaves, this may mean your plant is not getting enough water or needs humidity. Place your plant in a bathroom or near a humidifier to get an extra boost of humidity.
Yellowing leaves: If your Philodendron Burle Marx has yellowing leaves, this may mean your plant is not getting enough water. Make sure to water your plant whenever the top two inches of soil are dry. You can check your plants soil level with your index finger or by using a moisture meter. If only one leaf is yellowing and it happens to be the oldest leaf, this is natural and no cause for concern.
Key Points To Remember
Philodendron Burle Marx is an easy to care for plant and is great for a beginner houseplant enthusiast.
Make sure to give the plant indirect sunlight or place under plant grow lights. Water when the top two inches are dry and if you want faster growth, place your plant in a spot getting 50%+ humidity.
This is a super interesting plant that produces the coolest leaves. Make sure to check out the variegated version out, too!
Read more about houseplants:
- How To Get Free Or Cheap Houseplants
- 15 Creative Ways To Display Houseplants
- How To Build A Self-Sustaining Terrarium
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