How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Mayoi

Given the long history of philodendrons, which were introduced as houseplants in the 19th century, Philodendron mayoi is a newcomer. The species was only discovered in the Brazilian rainforest in the year 2000.What sets this rare philodendron apart from the common heartleaf philodendron are its large, palm-like leaves and the stalks (petioles) and underside veins with a striking red tinge. As the plant grows, the glossy green lobes deepen and widen. A large climbing,vining plantthat, when mature, reaches more than 6 feet in height, making it a dramatic focal point for a well-lit room

Like all philodendrons, this plant is toxic to people and pets.

Philodendron Mayoi Care

Despite their exotic appearance,caring for philodendronsisn't too complex as they are surprisinglylow-maintenance houseplants. Philodendron mayoiis no exception. Here are the main care requirements for growing it as a houseplant:

• Place the plant in a well-lit space where it gets bright natural light. Rotate it weekly to ensure even growth on all sides.
• Use a special potting mix for aroids.
• Water when the top inches of soil feel dry.
• Keep the room warm and the humidity level up.
• Fertilize with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every two months during the growing season.
• Wipe the foliage down monthly with a damp cloth to promote photosynthesis.
• Support the plant with a moss pole (store-bought or DIY moss pole) as the plant matures.

Light

Natural bright light is important for yourphilodendron mayoi, but ideally, it should be indirect. A couple of hours of morning sun near a north or east-facing window shouldn't be harmful, but a whole day in strong sunlight quickly turns those glossy leaves yellow or cover them in scorch marks. In too much shade, the plant becomes leggy and straggly-looking.

Turning your plant every week helps to ensure all those big leaves get their fair share of light exposure, helping to promote even growth.

Soil

A potting mix designed for aroid species is ideal for yourplant. The mix is typically slightly acidic, loose, well-drained, and rich in nutrients. A good blend if you make your own mixes one part potting soil, one part orchid bark, and one partperlite.

Water

Unlike some thirsty tropical species, yourphilodendron mayoiisn't too fussy regarding its watering regime. Feel the soil with your fingers to check when your plant needs water. When the top couple of inches of potting soil is dry, it's usually time to water.

Be careful not to overwater, and make sure the pot has large drainage holes. Soggy soil or standing water leads toroot rotand the eventual death of this beautiful, pricey species.

Temperature and Humidity

It shouldn't come as a surprise that a leafy tropical species like thephilodendron mayoiloves warm, humid conditions. It thrives in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F.

One of the trickiest parts of caring for this plant is providing the right humidity levels. To promote the best growth and healthiest foliage, ideally, humidity should be above 60%. Introducing a humidifier, grouping with similar humidity-loving plants, and placing the plant in a pebble tray filled with water helps. This isan ideal plant for a bathroomthat gets enough sun.

Fertilizer

For strong, glossy foliage, feeding your plant a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer every couple of months during the growing season (spring and summer). But don’t overdo it. Too much fertilizer too frequently results in root burn and scorched, yellowing foliage. Do not fertilize outside the active growing season.

Pruning

As with most vining houseplants, you'll just need to remove unhealthy or dead stems or foliage and trim them if they are climbing too high for the space.

Trim a few inches off the stems above a node. Keeping a node on the stem means you'll be encouraging new healthy growth, helping to keep the plant bushy and more compact.

Propagating Philodendron Mayoi

While philodendron mayoi is hard to come by, once you get your hands on one, like other philodendron species, it is pretty easy to propagate by stem cuttings as follows:

1. In the spring, take a cutting that's around 6 inches long from a stem with healthy foliage and a node.
2. Remove the bottom leaves below the node, leaving 2 or 3 leaves at the top of the stem cutting.
3. Use a tall clear glass to submerge the bottom of the stem, covering the node. The leaves should remain above the water.
4. Put the cutting somewhere it receives bright, indirect light.
5. Change the water every few days.
6. Watch for roots sprouting from the cutting. Once they reach about an inch long (this may take up to one month), transfer the cutting to a well-drained potting medium.
7. Keep the cutting in bright but indirect light and ensure the potting soil remains consistently moist but not saturated during those first few weeks.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron Mayoi

Philodendron mayoi is one of the faster-growing species in this genus, so it might need repotting faster than slow-growing varieties such as philodendron Rio. Look out for the roots coming out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. This is a good indication that it's time to go up a pot size or two. Repotting is best done in spring or summer.

Don't go too large, though. If there's too much soil, the plant won't absorb moisture well, leading to root rot.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The plant may attract mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Inspect the plant regularly and treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil before it turns into an infestation.

Root rot and other fungal diseases occur mostly due to overwatering or poor drainage.

Common Problems With Philodendron Mayoi

If the plant does not look its best, review the way you care for it. Caught early, most issues arefixable.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves are typically a sign that you either need to move your philodendron mayoi out of direct sunlight or cut back on fertilizing. Don't go daft with your watering schedule either, as this can cause wilting and discoloration.

Brown Tips

Brown tips could relate to too much sunlight or being forgetful with watering. If you are always waiting to water your plant when the soil is parched, try to get into a more regular watering schedule.

From: thespruce