Dreaming of a lush, jungle-like living room full of vibrant greenery? If this is your vibe, you’ll want a plant like Philodendron Verrucosum Panther in your collection. This tropical beauty from Ecuador is a climbing and trailing plant with large heart-shaped leaves.
Plant lovers know it for its fuzzy petioles and its dark green leaves with contrasting yellow-white veins. For this reason, it’s also sometimes called Philodendron Verrucosum “dark form”.
Most gardeners will run into Philodendron Verrucosum problems at some point. This notably finicky plant can be very particular about its living conditions, making indoor care a challenge.
The most common issues plant lovers run into with Philodendron Verrucosum Panther are leaf scorch, drooping, and yellow leaves.
We’ll look at what causes these issues, how to remedy them, and how to keep this beautiful plant happy!
Common Philodendron Verrucosum Problems
It can be scary when you see those big beautiful Philodendron leaves marred by burns or discoloration. Thankfully, most of these common problems can be remedied if you catch them early enough.
Philodendron Verrucosum Leaf Scorch
Have you noticed white or brown patches on your Philodendron Verrucosum Panther? The culprit could be too much sun.
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther is an understory plant, which means it lives below the canopy in the rainforest. Because of this, it is accustomed to low-light conditions. Typically understory plants only get intermittent dabbles of light from the sun shining between the tree leaves.
Many plant lovers assume that tropical plants need full sunshine to thrive indoors. But this Philodendron’s thin, delicate leaves are not designed to handle the sun’s harsh rays.
Leaf scorch can happen in just hours, and often happens when you change the location of your plant without acclimating it to the light. The first symptom of leaf scorch is large white patches. After time, those white patches will turn brown and crispy.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Philodendron?
If the top leaves of your Philodendron Verrucosum Panther are showing signs of leaf scorch, there’s still time to save the lower leaves. Move your plant to an east-facing window, and consider putting a sheer curtain over your window if you live in a particularly sunny location.
Philodendron Verrucosum Drooping
There’s nothing more unhappy looking than a droopy Philodendron. This is a universal sign that your plant is lacking water. Philodendron Verrucosum Panther has finicky moisture requirements, which is why it can be such a tricky plant to own.
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther needs soil that is consistently moist, but not waterlogged. It also requires humidity levels at or above 60%. Plants rely on water pressure (also called turgor) in their cells to keep them upright. When they experience a lack of water, the stems begin to droop and bend.
Since Philodendron Verrucosum Panther does not tolerate dry soil or low humidity, it’s best to check the soil every day for dryness. At the same time, you can give your plant’s leaves a good misting to keep them hydrated.
Philodendron Verrucosum Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves are most often a sign of overwatering. While Philodendron Verrucosum Panther does require frequent watering, they also require well-draining soil to avoid becoming waterlogged. Otherwise, root rot will occur.
When your plant’s soil is too heavy, or the pot doesn’t have drainage, the roots sit in water. Over time, this sogginess attracts fungus which attacks the roots. The roots become incapacitated and can no longer deliver water and nutrients to the leaves. This causes the leaves to turn yellow in response.
Should I Remove Yellow Leaves From My Philodendron?
Once you’ve addressed your soggy soil, it’s time to deal with those discolored leaves. Removing yellow leaves as they appear is good practice to keep your plant healthy. This helps your plant channel its energy into producing new growth. Dying leaves can attract disease and pests, so removing them early can help prevent these issues from spreading to the rest of your plant.
What Conditions Do Philodendrons Like?
We’ve just looked at the major issues facing Philodendron Verrucosum Panther. Now let’s look at how to best take care of this plant, so you can avoid these issues from happening in the first place.
Soil is one of the most important considerations for the long-term health of your Philodendron Verrucosum Panther. This plant likes well-draining, aerated soil, so choose a potting soil mixed with organic matter like coco coir or peat moss.
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther likes warm and moist conditions. Make sure the temperature in your home stays between 68-78°F (20-25°C). The best way to know when to water your Philodendron is to feel the first few inches of soil for dryness. On average this plant requires a good deep watering about once a week.
Indirect sunlight is the best type of light for this understory plant, so south or west-facing windows are a big no. Instead, place your Philodendron in an east-facing window. If the window is too sunny, move your plant to the corner or somewhere in the middle of the room.
What Fertilizer is Best for Philodendrons?
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther has quite an appetite and needs to be fertilized at least three times a year. Use a slow release fertilizer, and make sure you apply it away from the base of the plant. If you apply fertilizer too close to the plant, it may suffer from fertilizer burn to the roots and the collar.
FAQ
Do Philodendrons Like to be Root Bound?
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther is a fast grower, and mature stems can reach up to 36 inches (91 cm) in length. Although this plant can tolerate being root bound, it’s not ideal for the health of the plant.
If you allow your Philodendron to become root bound, it will begin to show signs of unhappiness such as drooping leaves. This is often an indication your plant isn’t getting the water and nutrition it needs, due to the lack of soil in the pot.
It’s best to repot your Philodendron Verrucosum Panther once every 1-2 years. Go up one pot size, and always choose a pot with drainage holes and a saucer. Try to repot in the spring or summer growing seasons so the plant has plenty of time to settle into its new pot.
Do Philodendrons Need to Climb?
Although Philodendrons are best known as vining plants, not all species have this trait. Some varieties of Philodendron such as Philodendron Bipinnatifidum (commonly known as Tree Philodendron) have upright stems like a tree trunk. These plants can grow quite large, but do not endlessly reach for the light like vining plants.
Vining species such as Philodendron Verrucosum Panther actually do not need to climb. If they don’t have a moss pole or trellis to climb, they will simply cascade over the side of the pot. A hanging planter is the best way to show off your plant if you choose to let it grow this way.
Is Philodendron Verrucosum Rare?
Most “rare” houseplants are considered so because they are either a rare variegation or they are endangered in the wild. Fortunately, Philodendron Verrucosum Panther is not rare, but it can be tricky to get your hands on.
Most local garden centers won’t have this plant in stock. Your best chance of owning one is to purchase from an online plant retailer. Since this plant is highly sought after, it often comes with a higher price tag than more common plants.
Summary
Philodendron Verrucosum Panther is a striking beauty and a true gem of the Philodendron family. It’s a highly sought-after species for plant collectors due to its unique dark green leaves and yellow-white veins.
If you have your eye on this plant, be aware that they are finicky. Their thin leaves and need for partial shade make them prone to leaf scorch. Many gardeners also make the mistake of overwatering their Philodendron Verrucosum Panther, leading to yellow leaves. As a tropical plant, it has high humidity needs and will begin to droop if these needs aren’t met.
If you already have some experience with tropical plants, you should have no problem caring for Philodendron Verrucosum Panther!