Philodendron Mamei 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 Mamei is a stunning houseplant with beautiful silver foliage that easily makes a statement in any home.

Philodendron Mamei main care directions.

Water. Philodendron Mamei is a tropical houseplant that likes to be kept moist. Water this plant when the top inch of soil is dry and make sure to water thoroughly.
Light. Philodendron Mamei enjoy bright indirect sunlight or can live under plant grow lights. Do not place this plant in direct sunlight as this can scorch the foliage.
Fertilizer. Fertilize Philodendron Mamei during the active growing season which is typically spring through summer with a natural or synthetic fertilizer. If using a synthetic fertilizer, make sure you dilute the recipe in half.
Humidity. Philodendron Mamei are tropical plants and love humidity at 60%+.

Philodendron Mamei thrive with these care tips.

Light

Philodendron Mamei thrive in bright indirect sunlight.

These plants are fast growers when given adequate growing conditions. You can also place this plant in a room receiving morning (east facing), afternoon (south facing), or evening sunlight (west facing).

Do not place Philodendron Mamei plant in a spot getting direct sunlight as this can scorch the leaves.

If you don’t have natural sunlight coming into your home or have run out of room, I recommend using plant grow lights. I love and use T5 Barrina grow lights and have them on timers running for 13 hours a day.

Water

Water Philodendron Mamei when the top inch of soil is dry. Make sure to water your plant thoroughly. You’ll know if you’re watering correctly if you see water coming out through the bottom of the pot.

If you tend to be an underwaterer or overwaterer, invest in an affordable moisture meter which will tell you when the soil is dry or moist. If the moisture meter reads closer to the dry side, it’s time to water your plants.

I’ve killed very few plants and I think its’ because of moisture meters.

Soil

Philodendron Mamei thrive in well-draining soil just like most houseplants. An easy soil recipe is 2 parts coco coir, 2 parts perlite, and 1 part orchid bark.

You can also grow this plant in a leca or lechuza pon substrate if you prefer a semi-hydroponic method of growing plants. Philodendron are easy houseplants to grow in semi-hydroponic.

If you don’t want to make your own mix, buy pre-made potting mix like Fox Farm Ocean Forest. This mix contains a blend of high quality ingredients and have everything you need to grow thriving houseplants.

Temperature

Philodendron Mamei thrive in regular home temperatures of 70°F to 80°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

Philodendron Mamei enjoy fertilizer during the active growing season. Fertilizer gives your plant the nutrients it needs to thrive in your home.

Fertilize your plant when it’s actively growing. For me, that’s year round since I live in a place that doesn’t really get winter. Fertilize using a slow release granule fertilizer or an organic or synthetic fertilizer.

I use Key Grow Solutions Blue Butterfly and I’ll sometimes switch to Dyna Gro. I mix in a spoonful of fertilizer into a gallon of water and use this mix to water all of my houseplants.

If you are using a non-organic, synthetic fertilizer, it’s always recommended to dilute the recipe in half because of how strong the N-P-K ratios are. 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.

Humidity

Philodendron Mamei are tropical houseplants and definitely prefer higher humidity. Humidity levels between 60%-80% are ideal and you’ll notice much faster growth this way.

If you find that you want your plant to live in higher humidity conditions, read these tips to increase humidity.

Put high humidity plants together in a group. When you group high humidity plants around 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 run it daily near your houseplants.
Mist your plants. Some people say this doesn’t help, but I think it does so I continue to do it.
Place high-humidity plants in your bathroom. I place certain high humidity plants in my shower and they’re thriving.

Propagation

Propagating a Philodendron Mamei is easy. All you have to do is take a stem cutting that has at least one node on it and place that node in water.

The stem should have roots in about a month. Move the stem cutting into your desired substrate once the root is at least two inches long.

Common Questions

Are Philodendron Mamei rare?

This plant is rarer than most because you can’t simply walk into a big box store and find a Mamei. You probably won’t find a Mamei at local plant stores either.

Most people buy Philodendron Mamei online on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace.

How much is a Philodendron Mamei?

A medim sized Philodendron Mamei in a 4 inch pot goes for around $100 on Etsy.

How do you care for Philodendron Mamei?

Philodendron Mamei thrive in bright indirect sunlight or under plant grow lights. This plant loves higher humidity and would do well in a DIY greenhouse cabinet. Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry. Make sure to fertilize your plant in the active growing season.

Are Philodendron Mamei fast growers?

Philodendron Mamei are comparable to other Philodendrons and grow relatively quickly depending on the growing conditions.

Do Philodendron Mamei climb?

Philodendron Mamei is a crawler and not a climber.

Are Philodendron Mamei poisonous?

Yes, this plant is highly toxic to both animals and humans.

Why is my Philodendron Mamei yellow?

Philodendrons are known to turn yellow when the plant is not receiving adequate water. Use a moisture meter to figure out the correct time to water your plant.

If you stick your finger in about 1-2 inches and the plant is dry, it’s time to water thoroughly.

Why is my Philodendron Mamei leaves curling?

Philodendron Mamei leaves curl when the plant is thirsty. Make sure you’re watering your plant on a proper schedule.

Do Philodendron Mamei like to be misted?

Instead of misting your plant, give your plant the humidity it needs by placing it near a humidifier or in a DIY Ikea Greenhouse Cabinet.

How fast does a Philodendron Mamei grow?

In the right growing conditions, Philodendron Mamei grow quite quickly. Give it adequate sunlight, humidity, nutrients, and a consistent watering schedule and it’ll grow like crazy.

Does Philodendron Mamei fenestrate?

Philodendron Mamei leaves do not fenestrate.

How big does a Philodendron Mamei grow?

Philodendron Mamei can grow up to three feet tall depending on the conditions the plant is growing in.

How do you know if your Philodendron Mamei is happy?

If your Philodendron Mamei plant is pushing out new leaves, your plant is happy.

Is Philodendron Mamei 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

Some of the most common pests for this houseplant include spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and aphids. These pests can hurt your plant which is why prevention is key.

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

Inspect your houseplant before bringing it home.
Treat your new houseplant with a natural or synthetic pesticide when you bring it home.
Quarantine your houseplant away from your other houseplants for at least two weeks.
Regularly check your plants for pests. This is also a great time to clean your plants.
Cut off dead leaves as dead matter can attract bugs.

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 an incredibly effective product. I’ve never had pest pressures and the one time I saw spidermites, I sprayed my plants with Azamax and never saw them again.

Common issues

Brown tips: If your Philodendron Mamei has brown tips, this may mean you’re overwatering your plant. Make sure your plant is in well-draining soil and that you are only watering when the top inch of soil is dry.

Yellowing leaves: If your Philodendron Mamei has yellow leaves, this can mean you’re giving your plant too much sunlight. Move your Philodendron Campo to a spot getting less sunlight.

Curly leaves: If your Philodendron Mamei has curling leaves, this may be due to the plant being thirsty or being placed in a spot that is drafty. Do not place this plant near a door leading to the outside, window, or vent.

Key Points To Remember

Philodendron Mamei are stunning plants that are pretty easygoing and great beginner to intermediate plants for houseplant enthusiasts.