HOW TO

GROW AND CARE FOR

PHILODENDRON BRANDTIANUM

By ERICA PUISIS
Published on 05/01/23

CONTENTS

PHILODENDRON BRANDTIANUM CARE 2

PROPAGATING PHILODENDRON
4
BRANDTIANUM
POTTING AND REPOTTING PHILODENDRON
4
BRANDTIANUM
COMMON PROBLEMS WITH PHILODENDRON
5
BRANDTIANUM

P hilodendron brandtianum is a climbing vine with medium-to-large heart-shaped

leaves. The leaves have heavy white-to-silver markings, so it’s common for this plant
to be referred to as a silver leaf philodendron. Alternatively, it’s sometimes known as
Philodendron brandi.

In its natural tropical climate, it has a climbing growth habit but can be easily grown as
a potted or hanging houseplant. The plant is a moderately fast-growing species that will
reach a total height of 4 to 5 feet when grown as a houseplant. Keep it out of the reach
of children or pets, since all parts of the Philodendron brandtianum are toxic to people
and animals.1

Common Name Silver leaf philodendron, philodendron brandi

Botanical Name Philodendron brandtianum
Family Araceae
Plant Type Vine
Mature Size 15 ft. (outdoors), 4-5 ft. (indoors), 1 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Partial
Soil Type Moist but well-drained
Soil pH Neutral to acidic
Hardiness Zones 9b-11 (USDA)
Native Area South America
Toxicity Toxic to pets, toxic to people1

1 Are philodendrons poisonous. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

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 PHILODENDRON BRANDTIANUM CARE

For the best success in growing

Philodendron brandtianum, take note of these
main care requirements.

• Plant in rich, well-draining soil.

• Pick a spot with bright, indirect light.

• Water deeply when the top few inches of

soil becomes dry.

• Fertilize if desired during the spring and

summer months.

LIGHT

Philodendron brandtianum grows best

with bright, indirect light. Keep in mind that
in the plant’s native tropical environment, it
receives frequent and abundant sunshine but
is protected from direct sun by the canopy of
foliage that naturally grows above and around
the plant. Mimic these conditions by choosing
a sunny spot in the room, but avoid a
windowsill with direct sun, which is too harsh
for this plant.

SOIL

Well-draining soil is essential

for Philodendron brandtianum. If you choose
to pot this plant using standard potting soil
mix, it may be best to amend the soil using a
3:1 ratio with perlite or coir. In addition, pick a
nutrient-rich potting soil mix or add compost to
ensure that the soil is rich enough to support
the plant’s moderately fast growth rate. The
pH level of the soil should hover between
neutral and slightly acidic.

WATER

Philodendron brandtianum should be

watered deeply and regularly, with the
frequency depending on the specific
environment. The best approach is to water
the plant when the top few inches of soil feel
dry; this may be as often as every other day
during or as infrequent as once per week.
Aside from dry soil, drooping or curling leaves
are an indication that the plant needs more
moisture. Be sure to avoid watering the
leaves, as doing so can lead to fungal growth.

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TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Like other philodendron species, these
plants prefer warm, humid environments. The
ideal temperature range for Philodendron
brandtianum is between 65 and 95 degrees
Fahrenheit, although the plant can tolerate
temperatures down to about 50 degrees for a
short period of time.
When it comes to humidity, these plants
do best with humidity levels between 50
and 60 percent. If the humidity in your home
is low (like during the winter), you may
need to put the plant on a pebble tray filled
with water to provide more moisture in the
surrounding air. Just keep in mind that root
rot is a real threat to these plants, so the
bottom of the container should not sit directly
in the water of a pebble tray.
Philodendron
Brandtianum
FERTILIZER
Philodendron brandi is a moderate-to-
fast-growing plant that doesn’t necessarily
require fertilizer in most instances. However,
keep in mind that houseplants don’t benefit
from the same nutrients available in the
environment of outdoor plants. To encourage
lush growth and leaf development, you can
fertilize Philodendron brandtianum with a well-
balanced fertilizer for indoor plants. Feed the
plant during the spring and summer growing
season, and withhold fertilizer during the fall
and winter.
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PROPAGATING PHILODENDRON
BRANDTIANUM
Philodendron brandtianum is easy to
propagate using cuttings. You might choose
to do so if your plant is outgrowing its pot
or if you’d like to increase the number of
philodendrons in your houseplant collection.
The best time to propagate this plant is during
the warm spring and summer months when
the plant is at its peak of health and growth.
Here’s how to propagate Philodendron
brandtianum using cuttings:
1. Gather the following tools and materials:
Scissors (or pruning shears), a glass jar
(for growing cuttings in water), a small
plant pot, potting soil mix, and rooting
hormone (optional).
2. Using the scissors or pruning shears, cut
three to six inches of a healthy stem with
at least a few leaves from the plant. Ideally,
cut the stem at a node—just above another
leaf on the plant. Remove any leaves from
the bottom half of the cutting. Depending
on the size of the parent plant, you can
take several cuttings at once to propagate
more quickly.
stem and pull, checking for resistance from
newly-formed roots. When evidence of
roots exists, transfer the plant to a pot with
well-draining soil and water thoroughly.
POTTING AND REPOTTING
PHILODENDRON BRANDTIANUM
For a healthy Philodendron brandtianum,
you’ll need to repot the plant occasionally. To
determine if it’s time to repot your plant, check
if any visible roots are poking out from the
carnage holes at the bottom of the pot. If so,
pick a pot about two inches larger with plenty
of drainage holes.
To repot, gently loosen the soil around all
sides of the pot until the plant and its root ball
are freed. Fill the new pot with a loose but
rich potting mix that is well-draining. Plant
your Philodendron brandtianum to the same
depth in the soil and then cover the roots with
soil. Water thoroughly.

3. You have two choices for how to grow

the cuttings: in water or soil.For growing
cuttings in water: Fill the glass jar with
water, then place the stems into the jar.
The leaves should not be submerged,
but any nodes where you removed a leaf
should definitely be below the water line.
Change the water every few days or if it
becomes cloudy. For growing cuttings in
soil: Fill the small plant pot with potting soil
mix. If desired, dip the cut ends of each
stem into rooting hormone and shake loose
any excess. Then plant the stems of the
cuttings into the soil, with the leaves above
the soil line. Water as needed to ensure
the soil stays moist but does not become
soggy or overly drenched.

4. Place the cuttings in a location that

receives bright, indirect light and maintains
a warm temperature.

5. After 3 to 4 weeks, check for root

development. For cuttings grown in water,
it will be easy to spot the thin, white roots
emerging from the stem. When cuttings
are planted in soil, very lightly grasp the

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COMMON PROBLEMS WITH
PHILODENDRON BRANDTIANUM

As a group, philodendrons are known

to be easy-to-grow plants. Philodendron
brandtianum upholds the easy-keeper
reputation but there are a few potential
challenges you may face when caring for this
houseplant.

LEAVES TURNING YELLOW

If your silver leaf philodendron is starting

to develop yellow leaves, it’s an indicator that
something is out of balance in the plant’s
environment. Yellow leaves usually signal two
possibilities: not enough sunlight or too much
water.Start by checking the moisture level
of the soil. Is it overly damp and soggy? You
should also examine the plant’s root system
for signs of rot, like mushy, foul-smelling roots
that are dark in color rather than whiteish and
firm.

If your plant shows no evidence of

overwatering, the problem may be not
enough sun exposure. While Philodendron
brandtianum shouldn’t receive prolonged
direct sunlight, these plants do thrive in
bright light conditions. As an example of
what constitutes bright, indirect light, look
for a room with enough light that you could
comfortably read a book without turning on a
lamp.

BROWNING TIPS

Another problem that sometimes develops

in Philodendron brandtianum is browning on
the tips of the leaves. This signals that the
plant is receiving too much sun. As tropical
epiphytes, these plants are accustomed to
receiving filtered light. Too much direct sun
can cause the leaves to turn brown and
crispy.

While there is nothing that can be done

to reverse the browning effect, you can take
steps to prevent the problem from becoming
more widespread. Move your plant to a
location with less direct sun. Plenty of light
should still fill the room, but be sure that the
plant is not sitting on a windowsill or on a
table near the window.

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 FAQ

Q How fast does Philodendron brandtianum grow?

A Philodendron brandtianum is a moderately fast-growing species that

will reach a total height of four to five feet when grown as a houseplant

Q Are Philodendron brandtianum hard to care for?

A Philodendrons are easy-to-grow plants and Philodendron brandtianum

is no exception. Philodendron brantianum is easy to care for as long
as you provide the right water, light, and humidity conditions.

Q What is the difference between Philodendron brandtianum and

brandtianum wild form?

A The main difference between Philodendron brandtianum and

brandtianum wild form is their leaf size and variegation—brandtianum
wild form has larger, thicker leaves.

Q Where should I put Philodendron brandtianum in my house?

A Since philodendron brandi does best with bright, indirect light, an east-
facing window is the best choice for this plant. If that’s not possible,
a west-facing or south-facing window may work also, as long as you
keep the plant at least several feet away from the window itself.

Q Is Philodendron brandtianum a climbing plant?

A Philodendron brandtianum is a vine and, when given support, it has

a climbing growth habit. However, you don’t need to provide this
plant with a structure to climb. In the absence of a moss pole or other
stake, the plant will have a trailing growth habit, with stems and leaves
cascading over the edge of the pot it’s planted in.

Q Is Philodendron brandtianum rare?

A While philodendrons as a whole are a common houseplant,

philodendron brandi plants are rarer and harder to find than other
varieties. They are highly prized for their unique silver leaf markings

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