How to Grow and Care for Painted Lady Philodendron

The painted lady philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘Painted Lady’) is a stunning P. erubescens hybrid that is prized for its highly variegated large green and yellow leaves, pink and red petioles, and climbing growth habit. It is a favorite among collectors and philodendron enthusiasts but is also becoming popular among regular growers.

When it comes to difficulty, caring for this philodendron is pretty straightforward, particularly if you have some houseplant care under your belt already. The biggest trick is ensuring its gorgeous variegation stays vibrant and bright by giving it enough light and being cautious not to overwater.

Pet parents and parents of small children should be aware that like all philodendrons, the painted lady philodendron is considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow and care for a painted lady philodendron indoors.

Common Name	Painted Lady Philodendron
Botanical Name	Philodendron erubescens 'Painted Lady'
Family	Araceae
Plant Type	Perennial, vine
Mature Size	5 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide (indoors)
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist but well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic
Bloom Time	Spring, summer
Flower Color	Green, white
Hardiness Zones	9-12, USDA
Native Area	South America
Toxicity	Toxic to pets, toxic to humans

Painted Lady Philodendron Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a painted lady philodendron:

• Provide several hours of bright, indirect light.
• Plant in a rich, chunky soil mix.
• Allow the soil to dry and then water well.
• Keep temperatures warm with average to high humidity.
• Fertilize regularly during the growing season.

Light

To keep the variegation bright, keep your painted lady philodendron in a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light. Don’t be afraid to add a grow light to your setup if your home doesn't get enough natural light.

This philodendron can survive in low light conditions as well; however, its growth will be slow, it may begin to revert, and it will begin to look leggy over time. Avoid exposing your painted lady philodendron to prolonged periods of direct sunlight (particularly afternoon sun) to prevent the leaves from burning.

Soil

Painted lady philodendrons are epiphytes, which means they do best in a rich, airy soil mix. Ideally, the soil should be well-draining while retaining some moisture, and contain plenty of organic matter. A combination of indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark mix is ideal.

Water

Allow the soil to almost dry completely and then water thoroughly until excess water is pouring from the pot’s drainage holes. These philodendrons are sensitive to overwatering and should never be left sitting in soggy soil, but appreciate the soak-and-dry method of watering. Cut back on watering slightly in fall and winter as the plant’s growth slows down.

Temperature and Humidity

As with most philodendrons, the painted lady does best in warm environments: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26 degrees Celsius) is ideal. Keep in mind that the warmer the temperatures, the faster the soil will dry out, and the more you will need to water.

Additionally, while this philodendron can survive in average household humidity levels, it will thrive with some added humidity (between 60% to 70%). You can increase the humidity around your plant by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, adding a plant humidifier nearby, choosing a naturally humid room in the house to grow your plant (like a bathroom or laundry room), or grouping several houseplants close together.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during watering once a month in the spring and summer months. Stop fertilizing your plant in the fall when the temperatures begin to drop and you notice that growth has slowed.

Propagating Painted Lady Philodendron

This philodendron can be readily propagated by rooting stem cuttings, which is a great way to grow new plants and repurpose stem cuttings. Here’s how to propagate a painted lady philodendron in a few simple steps.

1. Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, take a stem cutting from a healthy painted lady philodendron that has between three to five nodes along the stem and at least one leaf.
2. Remove the bottom half of the leaves from the cutting, leaving the nodes exposed along the stem.
3. Prepare a glass or vase with fresh water and place the stem cutting in the water, submerging the exposed nodes and ensuring the remaining leaves sit above the surface.
4. Put the container in a warm location that receives bright, indirect light, and refresh the water once a week. Small roots should begin to sprout within one to two weeks.
5. The cutting can be transferred to soil once the roots are at least an inch long. Prepare a small pot with a chunky, well-draining soil mix and plant the freshly rooted cuttings, watering well after planting.
6. Return the freshly planted cuttings to a warm, bright spot and keep the soil evenly moist for the first one to two weeks to help the new roots acclimate to the soil.

Potting and Repotting Painted Lady Philodendron

The painted lady philodendron is known for having a slow to moderate growth rate, which means it doesn’t need to be repotted often. Wait until you see roots growing from the pot’s drainage holes or circling the inside of the pot before you decide to repot (usually once every two years). Then, ensure you choose a new pot that is only two to four inches larger than the previous container.

During repotting, refresh as much of the soil as possible without breaking the plant’s roots (a couple of broken roots are okay and are to be expected). It’s always best to wait until spring or summer to repot, but repotting during fall and winter is also okay. Once your plant is in its new pot, water it thoroughly and return it to its original location to prevent the plant from going into shock.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Watch out for a few common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Also be cautious of overwatering your painted lady philodendron and causing root rot, which can quickly kill the plant.

Philodendrons are also prone to fungal leaf spot diseases, and the painted lady philodendron is no exception. Watch out for small, rust-colored spots on the leaves of your painted lady, and treat with a fungicide at the first sign of infection.

Common Problems With Painted Lady Philodendron

The painted lady Philodendron is known for being relatively low-maintenance and simple to grow. However, as with all houseplants, it's normal to run into a few issues every once in a while, particularly when you are still learning how to grow this tropical plant indoors. Keep an eye out for these common problems.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves are a common problem among most houseplants. Sometimes, a yellow leaf is nothing to be concerned about and is just a reflection of the natural life cycle of a leaf (usually the oldest leaves). However, if you notice several leaves turning yellow at once, or new leaves turning yellow and dying off, then there may be something more going on.

Usually, yellow leaves on a painted lady philodendron are a result of a lack of light or underwatering. That being said, overwatering, a lack of humidity, and too much light can also cause yellow leaves. Evaluate your plant’s growing conditions to determine which may be the most likely culprit.

Brown Leaves

Similar to yellow leaves, brown leaves are a common problem for most houseplants, with a few possible culprits. Usually, a lack of humidity or too much sunlight (leaf burn) are to blame. However, since philodendrons are particularly susceptible to fungal leaf spot diseases, you should also keep an eye out for that. Unlike brown leaves caused by humidity or sunlight issues, fungal leaf spot diseases usually present as extremely small spots on the leaves that multiply with time.

From: thespruce