Philodendron Scherberichii is known to grow in montane tropical wet forests. This plant is a herbaceous plant and is known for its characteristic evergreen leaves.
Philodendron Scherberichii is a Philodendron species named after David Scherberich. This wonderful species can be found in hardiness zones 9 to 11.
Table of Contents
Philodendron Scherberichii Care
To care for Philodendron Scherberichii provide it with well-draining soil containing peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite. The pH should be between 5 to 6. This Philodendron grows best in bright indirect sunlight. Water once a week in winter and more frequently in summer once the soil is 90% dry. Philodendron Scherberichii thrives in temperatures between 60ᵒF to 85ᵒF (16ᵒC – 29ᵒC). Fertilize one a month during the growing season in spring and summer.
Soil
Philodendron Scherberichii is healthiest when grown in well-draining soil that also has organic matter added to it.
This plant can grow in pure peat moss. But, peat-vermiculite or peat-perlite, which are soil-less mixtures, are also alternatives you can use.
The soil used for Philodendron Scherberichii should always have a pH ranging from 5 to 6. Hence, you should know how to pH up and down in soil to get this right.
Water
Philodendron Scherberichii is best grown in moist soil that is not overly soggy. Excessively moist soil can cause your plant’s leaves to turn yellow.
During the summer seasons, you should water your plant thrice weekly at the least. Ensure the soil’s at least 90% dry before your water your plant again.
When the winter season arrives, water the plant once weekly. Overwatering Philodendron Scherberichii can cause its roots to rot, making it need treatment.
Light
Philodendron Scherberichii can survive under direct sunlight if it is not too intense.
This usually means that you can only keep your plant under direct sunlight early in the morning. The best option is to keep your Philodendron Scherberichii under bright, indirect sunlight.
You can provide your Philodendron Scherberichii with bright, indirect sunlight by placing it close to a south-facing window.
You should make sure that your Philodendron Scherberichii receives a good amount of sunlight.
If Philodendron Scherberichii does not receive enough sunlight, the stems and leaves begin to elongate.
If the leaves of your Philodendron Scherberichii are damaged, your plant becomes an easy target for fungus and diseases.
Injured Philodendron Scherberichii does not produce blooms either.
An excessive amount of sunlight can also cause the leaves of your Philodendron Scherberichii to burn, which can result in the leaves turning yellow or brown.
Temperature
In terms of temperature, Philodendron Scherberichii thrives under 60ᵒF to 85ᵒF (16ᵒC – 29ᵒC).
Colder temperatures will damage the leaves of your Philodendron Scherberichii, causing them to become droopy.
You are recommended to keep your Philodendron Scherberichii indoors during the winter season. This will keep your plant protected against cold weather.
Humidity
Philodendron Scherberichii is best kept in humidity levels ranging from 70 to 80%. This is because Philodendron Scherberichii is native to tropical wet forests where humidity levels are generally high.
When you provide your Philodendron Scherberichii with humidity, make sure that the surroundings are warm and damp.
Particular effort should be taken to make sure that your plant is not kept in cold and damp surroundings.
Cold and damp weather can cause your Philodendron Scherberichii to have an excessive amount of moisture in its surrounding.
This excessive moisture can make your Philodendron Scherberichii susceptible to fungal attacks and diseases.
The air can lack moisture during summer. To address this, you can take measures to increase the surrounding humidity levels, for example, by investing in a humidifier.
You could also place your plant on a water-filled pebble tray. Or place your plant in areas of the house where the humidity levels are generally higher, say, the bathroom or the kitchen.
If you use a pebble tray filled with water, make sure the water levels do not go down too much. This is because low water levels will not allow the humidity level to rise.
Fertilizer
Philodendron Scherberichii needs to be provided with fertilization every month during its growing season.
Lack of or insufficient fertilization can cause its growth to slow down, leading the plant to become unhealthy.
Philodendron Scherberichii does NOT need to be fertilized every month during the fall and winter seasons.
You should fertilize your Philodendron Scherberichii only once every three months during this time.
Repotting
Philodendron Scherberichii does not grow well while being rootbound. Hence, it’s crucial to know when to repot it.
For repotting, you need to make sure you place it in a bigger pot than the previous one. You will know you have to repot your Philodendron Scherberichii when:
- The roots start appearing above the soil.
- You can see the roots outgrowing the drainage holes.
- The plant starts to look dull.
- Water’s leaking out of the drainage holes.
Philodendron Scherberichii growth will be stunted if it becomes rootbound. Make sure when you repot your plant, you use thoroughly sanitized tools.
Pruning
Philodendron Scherberichii does not need to be pruned too often. However, you may need to do this when the plant becomes too large for your liking or you want to get rid of dead leaves.
When pruning your Philodendron Scherberichii, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands before touching the plant.
- Sanitize everything you use. You can do this by cleaning each tool with rubbing alcohol.
- Cut off the tips of the stem once you see new growth. Pinching back of the new growth should only be done when the tips are at least 4 to 6 inches long.
Propagation
Philodendron Scherberichii should always be propagated during its dormant season. However, it’s best to propagate it during the spring season.
You can propagate your plant either through water, or soil.
These two ways can be used when propagating Philodendron Scherberichii through the stem or tip cutting.
Before you start to propagate, you should sanitize every piece of equipment that you intend to use. This step is important as it will reduce the chances of your Philodendron Scherberichii catching any diseases.
It is also important to always wear gloves when propagating your Philodendron Scherberichii so that you do not get hurt. This also serves as a protective layer between you and the plant.
When propagating Philodendron Scherberichii through stem cutting, make sure you cut the stem from 2 to 3 inches below the node.
Use a sharp knife, scissors, or a shear for this purpose.
When you propagate your Philodendron Scherberichii using the tip cutting method, cut a small section of the Philodendron Scherberichii stem.
When cutting, make sure the cut section is no more than 2 to 3 inches long and has a few leaves at its tips.
Propagation in Water
- The first step when propagating your Philodendron Scherberichii in water is to get a container filled with water.
- Place the stem cutting into the water.
- Don’t fill the plant’s container fully. From the container’s rim, ensure the water’s at least 1 below it.
- When using tap water, let the chlorine dissipate from it by keeping the water outside for twenty-four hours.
- Place your stem cuttings into the container and keep at least two nodes above water and one node below water. Also remember to leave two leaves above water.
- Place the container under indirect sunlight, and keep the surrounding temperature warm.
- Leave the container in the area under which the roots begin to grow.
- Every 2-3 days, make sure to change the water.
- Never leave the water container with your stem cutting under direct sunlight.
- If proper care is not provided, algae may start to grow in the container.
- Once the roots grow, shift your plant into a new pot and fill it with soil. Water the pot and take care of it in the same way as your previous Philodendron Scherberichii.
Propagation in Soil
- When propagating in soil, you will first have to make a good soil mix. The best soil mix will have perlite and peat moss.
- Following this, water the soil mix and plant the cutting in it.
- Wrap your Philodendron Scherberichii with a plastic bag, as this will increase its humidity levels.
- Keep the soil moist throughout the week but make sure it does not become too soggy.
- If you wish to check whether your plant is growing roots, simply pull the plant out a little. If you feel resistance, this means the roots have started to grow.
For both the propagation methods, you can use rooting hormones. However, this is not important since your plant will root regardless of whether or not you add rooting hormones.
Blooms
You are unlikely to see Philodendron Scherberichii bloom indoors as the requirements for this can be difficult to achieve.
The flowers on Philodendron Scherberichii are actually not flowers but modified leaf blades.
This “flower” is made of spadix and spathe. The spadix is present in the middle of the flower (spathe) and provides support to it.
Growth
Philodendron Scherberichii can grow 30 cm long.
Once it is fully grown, the leaves can have lobes on them, which is similar to another plant known as Anthurium Veitchii.
View this post on Instagram
Common Problems for Philodendron Scherberichii
Xanthomonas Leaf Spot and Tipburn
Philodendron Scherberichii can get attacked by these bacteria if the plant is wounded. It is also known as a red-edge leaf spot bacteria as leaves start to become yellow at the tips.
Eventually, yellow-reddish spotting will start forming alongside the lead edges. These spots become brown as time passes.
As the infection continues, the foliage becomes completely yellow and begins to fall off the plant.
To reduce the chances of your Philodendron Scherberichii getting infected by these bacteria, it is important to control the humidity levels around your plant.
Pseudomonas Leaf Spot
If your plant has been infected by pseudomonas leaf spots, you are likely to see signs of this disease within 72 hours in the form of spots that can have a dark center or yellow watery lesions that can be one inch large.
When your Philodendron Scherberichii becomes dry, these lesions will eventually become tanned in color. Infected leaves are less likely to retain moisture in them.
The best way to reduce the spread of this disease is by cutting down on the number of times you mist your Philodendron Scherberichii. You can also simply prune off the infected leaves.
Tips for Growing Philodendron Scherberichii
Philodendron Scherberichii can be an easy plant to care of, and if provided with the best care, you might even get it to bloom indoors.
If you want to see your Philodendron Scherberichii bloom indoors, follow these steps:
- Keep your Philodendron Scherberichii under temperatures ranging from 60ᵒF to 85ᵒF (16ᵒC – 29ᵒC).
- Provide your Philodendron Scherberichii with indirect sunlight.
- Keep it in humidity levels ranging from 70 to 80 %.
- Make sure that the soil pH stays within the range of 5.5 to 6.9.
- Always keep the soil moist and do not let it become soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philodendron Scherberichii Care
Why are the leaves on my Philodendron Scherberichii turning yellow?
Leaves can turn yellow due to excessive misting.
Can tap water be used to water Philodendron Scherberichii?
Water your Philodendron Scherberichii with tap water. But, let it sit overnight before using on your Philodendron Scherberichii.
Can Philodendron Scherberichii grow in low lighting?
Philodendron Scherberichii can survive in low lighting. However, it will not grow optimally in such conditions.
How long will it take for my Philodendron Scherberichii stem cuttings to grow?
Your Philodendron Scherberichii can take around 2 to 3 weeks before its roots begin to grow. The leaves usually take a week longer.
Conclusion
Philodendron Scherberichii is a stunning plant and a must-have for every plant enthusiast. This species of philodendron has large green leaves that can liven up anyone’s home and office spaces.
Philodendron Scherberichii looks exceptionally beautiful when kept in higher places as it allows the leaves to be seen in full view.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.