Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead Plant Care Guide

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.

Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead gets its name from the foliage having a horse head shape.

Here are the main things to know to care for Philodendron Bipennifolium.

Water. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Plant can withstand some drought but doesn’t like to be dried out for too long.
Light. Bright indirect sunlight but can also manage lower light conditions. Best if kept in a south, west, or east facing window.
Fertilizer. Feed a natural or synthetic fertilizer from March through October.
Humidity. Thrives in higher humidity of 50%+ but can live in normal household humidity in the 20% range.

Keep your Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead thriving with these care tips.

Light

Place Philodendron Horsehead in bright indirect sunlight.

A great spot for this plant would be in a south, west, or east facing room as long as the plant is a few feet away from the window. You don’t want your plant to get direct sunlight as this will burn the foliage. If you place the right directly on the window sill, make sure the window has a sheer curtain between the window and the plant.

Philodendron Horsehead can grow under plant grow lights. I have my plant under T5 Barrina grow lights in my greenhouse cabinet.

This plant can survive in lower light conditions but you may notice growth is much slower. For example, if you place this plant in a north facing window, expect super slow growth.

Water

Keep your Philodendron Bipennifolium soil moist but also know this plant can dry out completely and not suffer.

Check the plants soil level either with your index finger or a moisture meter. A moisture meter is great for people who don’t want to get their hands dirty or want to get into hard to reach places. If the moisture meter reads closer to the dry side, that’s when I know it’s time to water my plants.

You can also use your index finger to check the plants soil. I stick my index finger about two inches deep and the soil is dry, it’s time to water the plant.

These are hardy plants and it takes a lot to kill a Philodendron.

Soil

Philodendron’s thrive in well-draining soil. Proper aeration is important in soil because well-draining soil lets oxygen flow around the roots. This means your chances of the plant getting root rot are slim.

A simple mixture of 50% coco coir, 25% perlite, and 25% worm castings is an easy recipe that will keep your plant happy.

If you don’t want to make your own houseplant soil, you can buy pre-made houseplant soil. A popular brand people love is Fox Farm Ocean Forest which includes a blend of earthworm castings, bat guano, sea-going fish & crab meal, forest humus, moss & more.

Temperature

Philodendron Bipennifolium thrive in average household temperatures of 75°F.

Just like other houseplants, do not place this plant in a spot that does get drafts (keep away from windows, doors that lead to the outside, or vents).

Fertilizer

Fertilize Philodendron Horsehead with a natural or synthetic fertilizer.

You can use a fertilizer like Blue Butterfly Fertilizer or a granule fertilizer like Earth Medicine’s microbial fertilizer which you simply sprinkle on top of your plants soil.

Feeding your plant a fertilizer is crucial to your plants health and longevity. If your plant doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, you may find your plant doesn’t grow at all or even dies.

Humidity

Philodendorn Bipennifolium Horsehead is a tropical houseplant but can thrive in a wide range of humidity conditions.

Philodendrons are quite hardy plants and can live in average household humidity but also thrive in high humidity in the 60%+ range.

I have my Philodendron Horsehead in a greenhouse because I was struggling with getting it to grow. Now that it’s put out a new leaf, I’m going to acclimate it to average household humidity again.

Propagation

To propagate a Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead, all you have to do is take a stem cutting with a node on it. Submerge the node under water and place the stem cutting in a spot that gets some sunlight but not direct light.

In a few weeks, the stem cutting will have roots. Wait until the roots get to at least 3 inches long and then you can place your plant in your preferred substrate.

This substrate can be well-draining soil, leca, lechuza pon, or you could even just keep the stem cutting in water.

Common Questions

Is Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead rare?

You probably won’t find a Philodendron Horsehead in a big box store like Walmart or Lowes, but you can find them at plant shops.

How much is a Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead?

A 6 inch Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead goes for roughly $20.

How do you care for Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead?

To properly care for a Philodendron Horsehead, place your plant in bright indirect sunlight, and regularly fertilize with a natural or synthetic fertilizer. Keep the soil moist but know that some drying out doesn’t hurt the plant at all.

Are Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead fast growers?

Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead are slow growers in my opinion. From personal experience, this plant grows incredibly slow but that could just be my experience.

Do Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead climb?

Yes, this plant is a climber and it’s best to use a moss pole or some kind of support pole to keep the plant climbing up.

Are Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead poisonous?

Yes, Philodendron Horsehead is poisonous. If you have pets that like to chew on plants, this is not the plant to bring into the home. I’m lucky because my dogs don’t mess with any of my plants but this might not be the case for you.

Why is my Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead yellow?

If you overwater your Philodendron Horsehead, you may see signs of yellowing leaves.

Only water your plant when the top two inches are fully dried out. You can check this by using your index finger to check the soils moisture or by using a moister meter.

Why is my Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead leaves curling?

A Philodendron is known to have curly leaves if the plant is suffering from low humidity, lacking water, lack of nutrition, or extreme temperature changes.

Do Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead like to be misted?

You can mist your Philodendron Horsehead but know that it’s not necessary.

How fast does a Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead grow?

Many people say that their Philodendron Horsehead grows quite quickly while my plant has been one of the slowest growers out of any of my plants.

Pictured below is a young Philodendron Bipennifolium leaf. As the plant matures, the leaves change form and form more of a horse head shape.

Does Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead fenestrate?

This plant does not fenestrate, but the foliage does change shape as the plant matures.

How big does a Philodendron Horsehead grow?

Philodendron Horsehead get up to 3 feet tall or larger depending on the plants growing conditions.

If you give your plant bright indirect sunlight, high humidity in the 60%+ range, and regularly fertilization, you’re maximizing your plants growing potential.

How do you know if your Philodendron Horsehead is happy?

If your plant is continuously growing during its growth season, your plant is happy.

If you see things like crispy leaves, yellowing leaves, or curly leaves, this may be a sign that your plant is in need of some help. If any of these things are happening to your plant, read below where it says “Common issues”.

Is Philodendron Horsehead toxic to pets?

Yes, this plant is toxic to pets and humans. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.

Common pests

Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead is prone to pest pressures just like any other plant. Philodendrons are some of the hardiest plants and I’ve never had pest problems with any of these plants.

I use pest preventatives to lower my chances of getting bad pests. I use Azamax which is a natural pest preventive. I mix 1 tablespoon into 1 gallon and use this to water my plants. To maximize convenience, I also add fertilizer to the same water I have my Azamax in. So every time I water or spray my plants, they are getting a good dose of fertilizer and pest preventive.

Many people also like using Bonide Systemic Granules which you sprinkle over on top of your plants soil. This keeps pests such as mealy bugs, aphids, and thrips away. This is not a natural pest preventive though and you need to be very careful to not get this stuff on your hands nor breath it in.

Bonide Systemic Granules are a great way to get rid of unwanted pests.

Common issues

Brown tips: If your Philodendron Bipennifolium has brown tips, this may be a sign your plant is not getting enough water. Make sure you’re watering your plant when the top two inches of soil are dry. Check your plants soil with a moisture meter or by using your index finger.

Yellowing leaves: If your Philodendron Bipennifolium has yellowing leaves, this can be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, or your plant positioned in a drafty area.

Curly leaves: If your Philodendron Bipennifolium has curly leaves, this can be a sign that your plant isn’t getting enough water or suffering from lack of humidity.

Key Points To Remember

Philodendron Bipennifolium Horsehead is an easygoing plant that can adapt to a wide range of conditions.

Keep this plant in bright indirect sunlight and aim for higher humidity but know that it’s not necessary to keep the plant happy.