Given its many names and nicknames, you might worry that Philodendron Warscewiczii is as difficult to care for as its long botanical name suggests. It is officially known as Philodendron Warscewiczii ‘Aurea Flavum’, but often called Snowflake Leaf Philodendron or Xanadu Golden. Philodendron Warscewiczii is, in fact, quite easy to care for and has very similar care requirements to other self-heading Philodendron varieties.
Philodendron Warscewiczii thrive in warm, humid conditions with bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and only need water when the soil is nearly dry or completely dry.
As long as you are tentative about overwatering and avoid root rot or pest problems, your Philodendron Warscewiczii will flourish and grow large very quickly.
Are Philodendrons Low Maintenance?
There are nearly 500 known and accepted species of the Philodendron genus, and while their care needs can vary, they are a reasonably low-maintenance houseplant genus overall. Typically, juvenile Philodendrons are more fragile. However, the larger and more mature your Philodendron becomes throughout its life, the hardier it becomes and the less maintenance it will need.
Philodendron Warscewiczii Aurea Care
Under the right conditions, Philodendron Warszewiczii plants are incredibly fast growers. In the wild, they can grow as tall as 12 feet (3.6 m), but as a houseplant, they typically grow between 2-3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m) tall and wide.
Light
Philodendron Warscewiczii Aurea is very similar to other self-heading Philodendron varieties in that they prefer bright, indirect light levels around 400 Foot Candles. However, they can tolerate medium light levels at around 200 Foot Candles.
Since Philodendron Warscewiczii has neon green foliage, it’s always a good idea to provide them with as much indirect light as possible, as too much direct sunlight can burn their leaves. They would do well in an east-facing window that receives morning sunlight, but you can also place them in a west-facing window with a sheer curtain or pulled back from a south-facing window.
Soil and Pot
In areas such as South and Central America, Philodendron Warscewicziis grow on the ground in rocky soil conditions, though they can also be epiphytic. This means that they will not do well in a very dense soil mixture. Make sure to add plenty of drainage to your soil, such as orchid bark, perlite or pumice, to mimic those rockier soil conditions.
A pot with drainage is essential as Philodendron Warscewiczii requires plenty of aeration to avoid root rot. Terracotta would be an excellent choice for this plant as it will wick away the excess moisture from the soil, but you can also work with a plastic or ceramic pot as long as they have drainage holes.
If you choose ceramic, it’s always a good idea to add some extra drainage elements to the soil, such as orchid bark, to balance out the moisture retention elements of a ceramic pot.
Water
How frequently you water your Philodendron Warscewiczii will depend on external factors such as light, humidity, pot, and soil. It’s best to monitor your Philodendron Warscewiczii’s soil to determine if it is ready for a drink.
To avoid root rot, the soil should be almost completely dry before giving your Philodendron water. You can stick your finger into the soil to determine if it is still moist, or you can use a moisture meter which will give you an accurate reading of the moisture levels.
When watering your Philodendron Warscewiczii, you should use room temperature water and avoid cold water. While these plants are relatively hardy, they can still go into shock if they experience extreme temperatures.
Temperature and Humidity
Since Philodendron Warscewicziis are tropical houseplants, you will want to ensure they live in warmer temperatures, ideally between 60 and 86°F (15 to 30°C). Unfortunately, they will not tolerate temperatures below 50°F (10°C) so if you bring your plants outdoors during the warmer months, keep an eye on the forecast. New cuttings and young plants will be even more susceptible to colder temperatures, while larger and more established plants are much hardier.
As for humidity, Philodendron Warscewiczii Aurea prefers higher humidity levels up to 70-80%, but they are hardy plants and are tolerant of humidity levels closer to 50%. The more humidity you provide your Philodendron Warscewiczii, the faster it will grow for you.
With that said, if you happen to have a new cutting or a juvenile Philodendron, giving it extra humidity is key to encouraging healthy root and foliage growth. In this case, adding a humidifier is the most efficient way to establish a healthy Philodendron Warscewiczii. Also, avoid keeping these plants close to windows or drafty vents, which can dry them out faster.
Is Philodendron Warscewiczii a Climber?
While Philodendron Warscewiczii Aurea is not exclusively a climbing plant and is typically a ground runner, it can be epiphytic and grow up trees in the wild. You can provide your Warscewiczii with a moss pole or plank if you notice it is starting to grow a bit more vertically or needs additional support.
What Fertilizer is Best for Philodendron?
A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratio of 10-10-10 will work well for your Philodendron Warscewiczii. However, you can also give them a fertilizer with a bit more nitrogen if you want to boost foliage growth.
When it comes to fertilizer, less is more. These Philodendrons prefer fertilizer diluted in water in smaller doses during the active growing season. Too much fertilizer will cause the foliage to burn but will cause even more damage to the roots, so introduce fertilizer gradually and in small quantities.
Philodendron Warscewiczii Aurea Pests and Disease
Pests
Philodendron, as a genus, tends to be susceptible to a wide range of pests, including thrips, aphids, mealybugs, and scale. If you keep your Philodendron Warscewiczii outdoors, moths and caterpillars are also a concern.
If you notice any pests on your Philodendron Warscewiczii, you should isolate your plant immediately and treat them with neem oil or an insecticidal soap. You will likely have to repeat treatments to eradicate the pests completely.
Preventing pests can save you a lot of problems down the line, so it’s always a good idea to take your Philodendron Warscewiczii to a shower or use a hose to spray them down. This will knock off any pests from the leaves.
As a preventative measure, you can even treat them for pests monthly, even if you do not see any visible pests. Keep the leaves cleaned and monitor the undersides of the leaves and stems as part of your routine Philodendron Warscewiczii care.
Leaf Spot
Leaf Spot is a fungal disease that is typically caused by lesions in the leaf. These lesions can result from physical damage, pests, and even standing water pooling on the leaf. They appear as circular brown spots that typically form on the leaf interior. If you find leaf spot, prune the affected leaves and treat your entire Philodendron with a fungicide solution.
You can avoid leaf spot by:
- Regularly inspecting for pests and treating them immediately.
- Provide plenty of airflow if you keep your Philodendron Warscewiczii in a terrarium.
- Avoid excessive misting.
- If you keep hanging plants above your Warscewiczii, make sure that they are not dripping excess water onto the leaves.
How Do I Know If My Philodendron is Healthy?
If your Philodendron Warscewiczii is healthy and thriving, it will consistently produce healthy, vibrant new leaves during the growing season. It is normal for older leaves to eventually die off as the plant shifts its energy toward newer growth, so as long as it is actively growing, there is no need to panic.
Is Philodendron Warscewiczii Rare?
While there isn’t much evidence that Philodendron Warscewiczii is a botanically rare plant, it is in high demand. Unfortunately, this means that it is more challenging to find on the commercial market. Over time, this may change.
Several varieties of Philodendron that were previously commercially rare are now produced via tissue culture, such as the Philodendron Pink Princess and are now more widely available than in previous years. If you are on the hunt for a Philodendron Warscewiczii, you may find luck browsing private sellers.
Summary
While its name is quite a mouthful and may lead you to believe that it is difficult to care for, Philodendron Warscewiczii is very straightforward in its care needs. They make wonderful indoor plants as they thrive in medium to bright indirect light so placing them in a west-facing window with a sheer curtain is best.
Philodendron Warscewiczii prefers warm temperatures between 60 and 86°F (15 to 30°C) and higher humidity levels between 70-80%. The best pot for this Philodendron is terracotta, as it will soak up any excess moisture and avoid root rot.
As long as you water your Philodendron Warscewiczii only when the soil is nearly dry and monitor it for pests regularly, your plant will thrive in your home!