Philodendron Brandtianum Houseplant 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 Brandtianum is a unique plant with beautiful green but mostly silver leaves. This was one of my first houseplants as a beginner houseplant enthusiast and makes for a great affordable but rare houseplant.

Philodendron Brandtianum main care tips.

Water. Water Philodendron Brandtianum when the top inch of the soil is dry. This plant is easygoing and doesn’t need to be on a strict watering schedule.
Light. Place your Philodendron Brandtianum in bright indirect sunlight. This plant can tolerate lower light.
Fertilizer. Fertilize your plant with a natural or synthetic fertilizer. If using a synthetic fertilizer, make sure to dilute the recipe in half. You’ll know if you’re using a synthetic fertilize if the NPK ratio is something like 20-20-20.
Humidity. Philodendron Brandtianum are tropical houseplants and prefer higher humidity, but don’t need it.

Light

Philodendron Brandtianum prefer bright indirect sunlight but can also live in lower medium light. Do not place this plant in direct sunlight because that can scorch the leaves.

Since this plant prefers bright indirect light and tolerates lower light, you can place this plant is just about any room in your house as long as it’s getting some form of light.

If you don’t have sufficient sunlight, you can use plant grow lights. I use T5 Barrina plant grow lights for the majority of my plants. I run these lights on a timer for 13 hours a day.

Water

Philodendron Brandtianum prefer to get watered when the plants top inch of two of soil is dry. Make sure you’re thoroughly watering your plant and seeing water come out the bottom of the planter.

If you’re having trouble figuring out when to water your plants, use a moisture meter. This handy tool will tell you when your soil is on the dry, moist, or wet side. I believe the number one reason people kill their plants is because they water them too often. Your plant probably needs way less water than you think.

Soil

Make sure your your Philodendron Brandtianum is in well-draining soil. An easy recipe for well-draining soil is 2 parts potting mix, 2 parts perlite, 1 part worm castings, and 3 parts orchid bark.

If you don’t want to make your own potting mix, you can purchase pre-made mix instead. Fox Farm Ocean Forest contains a blend of high quality ingredients perfect for houseplants.

Philodendron Brandtianum can also live in leca and I find many houseplants do much better in leca, and I believe Philodendron Brandtianum is one of them.

Temperature

Philodendron Brandtianum thrive in average household temperatures of 65°F-80°F (18°C-26°C). Don’t place this plant near drafty areas like vents or windows.

Fertilizer

It’s important to feed your plants fertilizer because it gives the plant the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive in your home.

During active growing months which is typically spring through fall, fertilize your Philodendron Brandtianum with a natural or synthetic fertilizer.

If you are using a non-organic, synthetic fertilizer, dilute the recipe in half. This is because the NPK ratios are incredibly high and your plant can suffer from too much fertilizer. If you are using an organic fertilizer, you typically do not have to worry about diluting the recipe because the N-P-K ratio is so low.

For fertilizer, I use both Key Grow Solutions Blue Butterfly and Dyna Gro. I do not dilute the recipe since this plant food has low NPK ratios. I pick one fertilizer and mix a spoonful into a gallon of water. Then I use this gallon to water all of my houseplants.

Humidity

Philodendron Brandtianum are tropical plants but can thrive in a variety of household conditions. I have my plant in normal household humidity (30%) and it’s doing just fine.

If you want your plant to thrive, place it in a spot getting at least 60%+. This is a great plant to put in your bathroom as this room naturally gets high humidity daily from showers. If you have an DIY IKEA greenhouse cabinet, this is another great spot for your plant.

To increase humidity, I recommend placing your plant near other high humidity plants to create a microclimate. You can also place your plant near a humidifier and use a hygrometer to make sure your plant is receiving at least 60% humidity.

Propagation

Propagating a Philodendron Brandtianum is incredibly easily.

Take a cutting that has at least 2 nodes on the stem and place the nodes in water. This cutting should root in about one month. Replant this stem once the roots are least 2 inches long.

Philodendron Brandtianum Common Questions

Is Philodendron Brandtianum rare?

This plant is not rare. You can find this plant at local plant shops, big box stores like Lowes or Home Depot, and even on Facebook Marketplace.

Is Philodendron Brandtianum hard to care for?

Philodendron Brandtianum is an easy plant to care for and makes for a great beginner houseplant. I find this plant to be even easier when placed in water or leca/water.

How do you care for Philodendron Brandtianum?

Care for a Philodendron Brandtianum by placing this plant in bright indirect sunlight, getting some extra humidity, and water when the top inch or two of soil is dry.

Fertilize your plant in the active growing season which is typically spring through summer.

Is Philodendron Brandtianum a fast grower?

When given proper growing conditions, the Philodendron Brandtianum is a fast grower.

How big does Philodendron Brandtianum grow?

Inside your home, Philodendron Brandtianum can grow up to five feet tall.

Where should I keep my Philodendron Brandtianum?

Place your Philodendron Brandtianum in a room getting bright indirect sunlight. To make your plant even happier, place this plant in an area getting 60%+ humidity. A bathroom or kitchen is a great idea since there’s naturally more humidity than other rooms in a house.

Can I place my Philodendron Brandtianum outside?

If you live in zones 9B-11, you can place your plant outside. Many people choose to place this plant outside in the summer but be careful with this because sun is a lot brighter outside versus inside your house.

How do you make Philodendron Brandtianum look fuller?

Make your Philodendron Brandtianum appear fuller by taking cuttings of the plant and placing them back into the pot. This will make the plant look fuller but will also signal the plant to produce more growth which creates an even bushier look.

What is wrong with my Philodendron Brandtianum?

If your Philodendron Brandtianum has crispy leaves or yellowing leaves all over, this may mean your plant needs more humidity or a better watering schedule. Invest in an affordable moisture meter and water your plant when the soil is getting closer to the dryer side.

Also check your plant for pests as pest pressures can degrade the health of the plant.

How do I know if my Philodendron Brandtianum is happy?

If your plant is actively growing, not getting crispy or yellowing leaves, your Philodendron Brandtianum is happy.

Can Philodendron Brandtianum grow in bathroom?

Yes. Many people choose to place their Philodendron Brandtianum in the bathroom because of the extra humidity. Just make sure your bathroom is getting some kind of light.

Should I cut yellow leaves off Philodendron Brandtianum?

If your plant has a yellow leaf, you can cut it off. If your plant has a bunch of yellowing leaves, you may want to take a closer look at your plant and figure out what’s wrong.

Yellowing leaves can mean your plant is getting underwatered or overwatered, not getting enough humidity or sunlight, or suffering from pest pressures.

How do you encourage Philodendron Brandtianum growth?

Encourage your Philodendron Brandtianum to grow by pruning back dead leaves and giving your plant fertilizer and adequate sunlight and humidity.

Should I mist my Philodendron Brandtianum?

Some people think misting helps increase the humidity around a plant. It’s totally up to you if you want to do this, but if you really care about adding extra humidity to a plant, place your plant next to a humidifier.

You can also place your houseplant next to other houseplants and they will work off each other and create a microclimate. This can increase humidity around houseplants.

Why is my Philodendron Brandtianum losing color?

If your Philodendron Brandtianum, make sure your plant is getting bright indirect sunlight and enough humidity. Be sure to fertilize your plant in the active growing months so it gets the nutrients it needs.

Are Philodendron Brandtianum plants high maintenance?

This plant is low maintenance and easy for beginners.

Is Philodendron Brandtianum a good beginner plant?

Philodendron Brandtianum is a great beginner plant since they are so easy to care for. This plant can tolerate different types of living conditions whether it be lower sunlight or lower humidity.

How much is a Philodendron Brandtianum?

Philodendron Brandtianum go for about $20 for a 4 inch pot. You can find this plant at big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes depending on the season.

Is the Philodendron Brandtianum 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

Philodendron Brandtianum are not particularly prone to any kind of pest. As long as you actively preventing pests, you’ll be fine.

To help prevent any pest infestations on your plant, here’s what to do.

Inspect your plant before purchasing at the plant store. Turn on your phones flashlight and check both sides of the leaves, the stems, and the soil for bugs.
Quarantine your new plant in a room away from your other houseplants for two weeks. This gives you time to make sure there are no pests on your plant.
Use an organic or synthetic pesticide on your plant. I use Azamax and Bonide Systemic Granules on my plants.
Regularly check your plants for pests. This is also a great time to clean your plants.
Cut off dead leaves.

If you find a plant that has pests on it, quarantine the plant away from your houseplants and clean the plant with an organic or nonorganic insecticide. I use Bonide Systemic on my plants as a preventative and find it’s incredibly effective for fungus gnats.

I spray the plant and wipe down the leaves and stems twice a week for a month until I know the infestation is gone. Make sure to check all of your other plants as it is easy for pests to spread.

Common issues

Brown tips: If your Philodendron Brandtianum has brown tips, this may mean your plant is not receiving adequate humidity. Make sure your plant is receiving at least 60%+ humidity.

Yellowing leaves: If your Philodendron Brandtianum has yellow leaves, this may be a sign of under watering. Make sure you’re keeping your plants soil moist and watering every time the top inch dries out.

Curly leaves: If your Philodendron Brandtianum has curling leaves, this may mean your plant is placed in a drafty spot. Move your plant to a spot getting bright indirect sunlight away from a door leading outside, window, or vent. Curling leaves can also mean your plant is thirsty.

Key Points To Remember

Philodendron Brandtianum is an easy beginner houseplant and has stunning silver foliage.

This easygoing plant can tolerate a variety of living conditions but thrive in bright indirect sunlight and 60%+ humidity.