If you like your houseplants with luxurious leaves that look like they are made of velvet, you can’t go wrong with Philodendron micans.
This is a gorgeous trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves that seem to shimmer in certain lights, and it’s not a demanding plant, provided that you give it the right balance in terms of the different care elements.
Want to know more about Philodendron micans? Not sure if this plant will grow happily in your home? Here’s what you need to know.
Philodendron Micans Plant Care
Before you get your heart set on this plant and where it might go in your home, it’s important to know that this plant is classified as toxic to cats and dogs, and you should keep it away from children, too.
The beautiful leaves are just too much of a magnet for curiosity, but luckily, you can easily keep it out of reach by growing it in a hanging basket.
At the most, it will reach about 24 inches long, and about 8 inches tall at maturity, but you can prune it back if you need to.
Sunlight And Position
Philodendron micans, like most tropical leafy plants, is a fan of the age-old bright and indirect light (see also How To Grow Philodendron Rugosum).
More than a few hours of morning or late afternoon direct sunlight can burn the beautiful leaves.
A windowsill that’s more of a sun trap is not a good place for Philodendron micans, so choose a window that gets bright and indirect light for most, if not all day.
Light levels will dictate the color of the leaves: higher light means the leaves will adopt a deep maroon color, while darker areas will mean the plant’s leaves will be a deep green.
When it comes to temperatures, it’s worth remembering that for most leafy tropical houseplants, if you’re comfortable, your plants will be too, and Philodendron micans is no exception.
Ideal Soil For Philodendron Micans
When it comes to soil, a typical aroid mixture suits this plant well.
A light and airy potting mix with plenty of drainage is perfect, such as a mixture of two parts houseplant compost to one part perlite and one part orchid bark.
If you prefer, you could use an aroid-specific compost.
When To Water Philodendron Micans
Allow the top two inches of compost to dry out in between watering, and this will keep a healthy balance between the soil drying out too much and not enough.
With time, you’ll be able to tell if your plant needs water by lifting the pot and going from the weight, but another great way apart from checking the soil with your fingers is to look at the leaves.
If the leaves start drooping and curling inward, this means the plant wants more water.
Should You Increase Humidity For Philodendron Micans?
As for humidity, Philodendron micans does not need much.
Average household humidity will do fine, but if you can provide higher than this by putting this plant in a kitchen, or bathroom, or investing in a humidifier, you’ll notice that the plant will grow better.
When To Feed Philodendron Micans
Most of the nutrients a Philodendron micans needs will be supplied through the compost, but you can help it along by giving it a feed with balanced houseplant fertilizer every fourth watering within the growing season.
As growth slows down in fall, scale back the fertilizer and the watering schedule, avoiding feeding the plant entirely in winter.
Should You Prune Philodendron Micans?
It’s worth trimming back Philodendron micans occasionally, not just to encourage denser growth, but also to stop the plant from getting leggy.
Only prune your Philodendron micans in its growing season during spring and summer, and only take the plant back by a third.
How To Propagate Philodendron Micans
Philodendron micans is easy to propagate (see also Propagating Philodendrons In Three Ways), and it’s well worth the effort as this plant can be difficult to source.
Take stem cuttings with sharp and clean scissors, making sure that each cutting has at least one node and a couple of leaves.
Put the cuttings straight into a jar or glass of water, making sure that the nodes are submerged, but the leaves are not.
Place the cuttings somewhere bright and warm, but not in direct sunlight, and expect to see roots within a few weeks or so.
You can then transfer your new Philodendron micans plants to compost.
Troubleshooting Problems With Philodendron Micans
Curling Leaves
If the leaves on your Philodendron micans are curling up, this usually means that the plant is thirsty. Check the soil to confirm, and if it is dry, give the plant a thorough watering.
Otherwise, curling foliage on your Philodendron micans can mean that the plant doesn’t have healthy roots, so the plant is being starved of nutrients and water.
If the soil is wet, the curling leaves are caused by root rot. Cut off any mushy or damaged roots, and repot the plant into slightly damp soil, propagating some healthy growth as insurance, in case the plant doesn’t make it.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats can zero in on your plant when there is too much moisture in the soil. Use a good-quality horticultural soap on the stems and leaves, apply diatomaceous earth to the surface of the soil (wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask), and they will soon go.
Final Thoughts
Philodendron micans is a beautiful plant, but it’s not the easiest Philodendron to start with, as it can be fussy, and if the growing conditions aren’t right, pests will move in quickly.
