This decorative philodendron grows shining green leaves on red stems. This makes it a rare and expensive Plant.

It is not easily available in garden stores. If you want to add it to your indoor garden you have to search for it online.

I have paid $65 for a young Philodendron Nangaritense. I received it in a black plastic pot growing in peat moss.

It needs bright light to complete photosynthesis, regular watering is required to keep the Soil moist. Well-draining potting soil is recommended to save it from extra water. High humidity is an essential part of its care.

Below is the complete guide that you need to care for your Philodendron Nangaritense.

About Philodendron Nangaritense

It is a plant native to Ecuador and named after Rio Nangaritense. In its natural habitat, it grows large size leaves of more than 12 inches long.

Indoors it needs wider pots because this runner philodendron grows long vines. Large and wider pots encourage it to grow large size leaves.

When grown indoors its leaves only gain 6 to 8 inches in size.

It is observed that when we grow it outside under the shadow of a large tree. It grows faster and produces large size leaves like in Ecuador.

This die-hard plant is easy to grow for beginners. Do not grow it in hanging baskets. Because then Nangaritense stays short with few leaves per stem.

Its leaves and red stems are its real beauty. So, you must focus on encouraging it to grow more and more leaves.

Philodendron Nangaritense Care:

Keep the temperature steady to see a thriving plant. Because frequent changes in the grow room temperature put stress on its growth.

In a cold room, it goes into dormancy before the winter season. Plants sense cold weather they don’t know when the winter season starts.

Pay close attention to the below-growing need and grow a healthy thriving Philodendron Nangaritense with lots of leaves.

Light Needs

To know about its light needs you have to look into its natural growing place. There in forests, it grows under the shadow of large trees.

This clears that it does not need direct sunlight. This means you can easily grow it indoors in moderately bright light.

Because it has green leaves without variegation. It needs less amount of light than other philodendrons.

Place it in filtered light for 7 to 8 hours per day. Do not place it in direct sunshine or you will see sunburned leaves.

In the winter season, move it to a warm room under a good bright fluorescent light. No need to buy costly grow lights.

If you have multiple Philo Nangaritense plants then choose a 300-watt LED grow light. Full spectrum is the feature you must check before buying a grow light.

Potting Soil

When you grow it indoors doesn’t use garden soil at any cost. Because this plant needs well-draining soil that does not become waterlogged after the watering session.

Whereas the garden soil is heavy and becomes saturated after watering. It has less draining power.

Therefore, you have to make your own formula. Mix potting soil, perlite, compost, and orchid bark in equal quantities.

 Or

Use MiracleGro general-purpose houseplant soil with perlite in it. Perlite makes potting soil fluffy and also holds enough amount of moisture.

The best part is it does make soil waterlogged. This prevents root rot due to overwatering.

Some people use African violet soil for growing Nangaritense Philodendrons. Which is the wrong type of soil for a tropical rainforest plant.

Watering Philodendron Nangaritense

Moderate watering is the secret to success. Because we add perlite to the formula and it can store enough water.

To prevent root rot which is the most common cause of Philo Nangaritense death. You should follow the soil check method every time you water Philodendrons.

In this technique insert your index finger into the potting soil 2 inches deep. If you find the soil is dry then water your plant immediately.

But on the other hand, if the top 2 inches of potting soil contain moisture. Then not need to water your plant.

If you are new to indoor gardening then use a soil moisture testing meter. To find out the exact amount of moisture in the soil.

Why Use Filtered Water?

Filtered water is the best water for your Philodendron Nangaritense. It does not contain unwanted substances like tap water.

In most parts of the country, tap water contains chlorine.

It is not needed by plants by any means. Chlorine in water starts collecting at the base of the plant near the roots.

This blocks the normal function of Nangaritense roots. As a result, the leaves of your plant start turning yellow.

After a few days, your plant will lose all its leaves and die.

Filtered water does not contain chlorine and is easy to absorb and transport.

Temperature

55 to 85 degrees F is the best temperature range for a healthy thriving philodendron plant. Below 50 degrees F is the too cold temperature for the plant leaves.

They start shrinking their size to keep them warm. This spoils its looks and now you have a problem of shrinking and small philodendron leaves.

90 degrees F is the top limit. When the temperature goes above 90 F. Plants start using more water for respiration.

This increases the chances of dehydration and brown leaves.

So, to play safe keep the temperature within the safe range. Also, don’t place it near the heat vents and AC ducts.

Artificial hot or cold air is damaging to it. To give it warmth, place a heat mat under the pot and cover its sides with a warm cloth.

Humidity

High humidity above 47% is a must to prevent dry leaves. The good news is you can mist water on its leaves on low-humid days.

Whereas other philodendrons are at risk of bacterial leaf disease after misting water.

Philodendron Nangaritense is a hard plant and spraying filtered water 3 to 4 times a week is beneficial.

If the humidity is too low then this method will not save your plant. In this condition, you have to use your plant humidifier or go for a pebble tray technique.

Fertilizing Philodendron Nangaritense

You choose this plant because of its beautiful leaves. So, you have to use the fertilizer that helps your plant to grow more unique leaves.

Nitrogen is the ingredient that encourages large leaves.

Therefore, use MiracleGro high nitrogen liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers because they are inexpensive and easy for plants to absorb from the water.

Before diluting the nutrient solution read the instructions carefully.

For dilution use, clean water that does not contains chlorine, copper, and fluoride (in short distilled water).

To prevent fertilizer burn, use nutrient supplements only in spring and summer. These are the season when philodendrons grow in size.

Toxicity

Philodendron Nangaritense is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans. The crystals of calcium oxalate are toxic. They are present in all parts of the plant including sap, leaves, and stems.

Chewing its parts results in toxicity. Excessive drooling, sore throat, and stomach pain are a few of its warning signs.

Rush to the nearest poison control center for help.

Pruning

By trimming dry and dead parts of your plant you can keep it thriving. If you do not cut the yellow and dead parts. Then your plant will get many types of bacterial diseases.

Because the decaying dead parts will invite fungal bacteria.

To play safe and keep your plant young with lots of healthy leaves. You must trim it regularly in spring or in summer.

This you can keep its growth under your control.

Repotting Philodendron Nangaritense

Shift it to a new large pot once a year or when you see roots sneaking out of the soil. For repotting use 2 inches wider and deep pot.

There should be 2 inches of space between the roots and pot walls.

Also, use a fresh bag of soil. Because over time the potting soil gets depleted and plants need highly fertile soil.

Repotting Steps:

• Water your plant to add moisture to the soil.
• Lose the soil with your fingers and gently pull your plant out of its old pot.
• Add fresh soil to the new pot and inspect your plant before placing it in a new pot.
• Remove the old soil from the roots and check them.
• Cut the dry and infected roots with a sterilized knife.
• Now place it in a new pot and fill the remaining portion of the soil.

Philodendron Nangaritense Propagation

Some people like air layering propagation. But I have found stem cutting is easy and has more success rate.

Stem Cutting Propagation Steps:

• Choose a healthy stem with nice leaves.
• Make a clean cut 1 inch below the leaf nodes.
• Remove the bottom leaves and apply rooting hormone on the edge.
•  Take a glass jar and fill it with clean water.
• Put the stem cutting in it and store the jar in a warm and bright place.
• Keep the water fresh by changing it once in 3 days.
• After 20 days you’ll see new roots.
• Shift your plant to potting soil when the new roots grow 1 inch long.

Troubleshooting

Pest Attacks

Pest infestations are rare on Philodendron Nangaritense houseplants. Aphids, Spider Mites, and Thrips only infect those plants that are growing in unhygienic places.

I use neem oil spray once in 20 days on philodendrons. This helps me to prevent pests and many other fungal diseases.

In case your plant is infected, use insecticidal soap and rinse your plant. Here you can use tap water.

Do not use a high-pressure water jet to clean your plant. Instead, use rubbing alcohol and a clean soft cloth to wipe leaves manually.

Treat pests immediately because they suck the sap of the plant. They make your plant weak and damage its leaves.

Immediate action can save your plant from dying.

Yellow Turning Leaves

Yellow leaves on Philodendron Nangaritense indicate a problem with its roots. Root fungus is the most common cause of yellow-turning leaves.

Root fungus is caused by the excessive use of water.

The only treatment is repotting the plant in the new pot and new soil.

Unpot your plant and cut the infected roots. Wash the pot with warm water and dishwashing soap. Add new soil to the pot and place your plant back in it.

Add some water for moisture and move it to a bright place. It will take some days to heal properly.

Brown Leaves

Brown leaves indicate dryness in the soil. You forget to water or the soil you are using is not holding enough water. These are the 2 main causes of brown leaves in Philodendron Nangaritense.

To prevent this situation water your plants on time, by following the soil check method.

For treatment give clean water to your plant and to send water quickly to dry roots. You must water your dry plant from the bottom drainage hole.

Take a tub of water and put your plant in it. Let it be there for 15 minutes so that it can absorb enough water. Then allow it to drain extra water and you are done.

Dark Spots on Leaves

Dark black spots on the green leaves of Philo Nangaritense indicate bacterial infection. Wet leaves and warm weather invite leaf bacteria.

The only solution is using copper fungicide on leaves. Do not go for homemade remedies they will not work.

Trim the dead parts and keep the plant pot and its surroundings clean.

Dry Stems

Blockage in the root zone results in dry stems. This blocking can be due to chlorine build-up or excessive use of fertilizers.

In both, cases flush the potting soil with clean water.

Your plant will get back on track in a few days.

Conclusion

Philodendron Nangaritense is an easy plant for all levels of growers. It can add nice greenery to your indoor space.

Neem oil is highly recommended to prevent pest and fungal problems. Use large size pots when growing it indoors.

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