Philodendron micans is often one of the first plants to get bought by new plant owners. This plant has a wide variety of uses, but philodendron micans can be tricky to care for. The philodendron micans plant is also commonly confused with other philodendrons because they are so similar. It’s important to know how to take care of philodendron micans if you want it in your home or office, we have the full philodendron micans indoor care for you.
About Philodendron Micans
Philodendron hederaceum micans plant aka philodendron velvet is a type of philodendron that has leaves in the shape of an oval. The philodendron micans plant, also called the ponytail palm, is common among indoor houseplants because it can be grown as either a hanging pot or as a table top specimen. Philodendron micans scientific name philodendron scandens.
While philodendron micans is a herbaceous plant, it also has the following characteristics: It can grow to be about three feet tall. The leaves are usually dark green and glossy in appearance. They are oblong or elliptical in shape with wavy margins that have serrations along their edges and measure about six inches long. Philodendron micans has a pachycaul trunk that can be up to nine inches in diameter with green bark and brown, wart-like excrescence on the surface of it.
Origins of Philodendron Micans Plant
The philodendron micans plant is a species of philodendron that can be found in the rain forests and jungles of Central America. It was named after Mr. Michael Micans, an esteemed horticulturist who discovered the philodendron in 1891 while on safari with Ernest Henry Wilson.
The philodendron micans plant is a wonderful addition to any indoor garden because of the variety they offer, and their ability to thrive indoors with little care. The philodendron micans plant can be found at most florist shops for as cheaply as $15! This makes them an affordable and hassle-free addition to any home.
Philodendron Micans Plant Care Guide
When it comes to philodendron micans care, there are a few things you can do. Here are some micans philodendron care guides!
Soil
Philodendrons do well in a moist, but not wet soil. The philodendron micans plant is an epiphyte that typically doesn’t need to be watered often as it gets most of its water from the air and humidity. In addition philodendrons like their soils on the acidic side so if you are growing philodendron in a pot, you can use an acidic organic soil mix.
Philodendron Micans Light Requirements
Philodendron micans plant is a tropical philodendron that thrives in the shade. While they prefer natural light, philodendrons can grow under artificial lights with some extra care. Place philodends near a window and make sure there are no streetlights or other sources of bright outdoor light shining through the window.
Philodendron micans plant can also grow under fluorescent lights, but they need to be near a window or other source of natural light at all times because philodends cannot make their own vitamin D and may become sick without it. Place the philodendron in front of artificial windows so that its leaves are always touching natural light.
Philodendron micans plants will also be healthy if they are in front of a south-facing window, but the philodendron may need to be moved every few months as its leaves tend to grow towards the sun and block artificial lights from shining through.
Watering
In order to water philodendron velvet leaf, you’ll want to place the pot in a dish of water so that it can drink. The plant will eventually take up all the necessary moisture needed and should be removed from this water after about an hour or two
If your philodendra is wilting at any point during its life span, make sure not to water philodendra for at least a week. In this time, the plant will use up all of its stored reserves and should be able to bounce back!
Philodendrons are sensitive to over-watering, so can easily die if they get too much water in their system. To prevent philodendron micans from getting overwatered and developing root rot or other problems with the roots, make sure that you are watering every two weeks at most–and don’t forget to only water the philodendron at soil level, and not from above.
Temperature
Philodendrons are tropical plants that thrive in temperatures of 60-75 degrees. If philodendron micans plant grows too cold, it will stop growing and might even die. It should not be put where there is a breeze or draft from an air vent or open door. Place philodindon micans near the window or door that is the warmest.
In winter, philodendron micans plant should be placed near a window where it can get some sun from time to time but not in full daylight because philodendrons do best when there’s no temperature change. It also needs warmth at night – temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees are ideal.
Humidity
Philodendrons need a humid environment to thrive. To keep the philodendron happy, place it near a source of moisture like an open window or a plant saucer filled with water. You can also mist your philodendron once every day with distilled water to make sure that they are getting enough humidity in their environment.
Fertiliser
Philodendron micans plants have a high need for fertiliser. Apply either every two weeks or once per month, depending on the size of philodendron micans plant and whether it is in potting soil or not. Use a general purpose houseplant fertiliser such as Peters 20:20 Fertiliser to provide the philodendron micans plant with all of its essential nutrients.
Toxicity
The philodendron micans plant is toxic to dogs, cats and livestock. The philodendron micans plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation in the mouth, esophagus or stomach if ingested by these animals. More severe reactions include drooling, vomiting blood from ruptured red blood cells, choking as the philodendron micans plant blocks the esophagus or intestine, difficulty swallowing and breathing as a result of swollen airways.
Pruning
Philodendron micans are often trimmed to keep them from getting too big. That’s why it’s important that you know when and how to prune philodendron micans. The best time for this is during the spring or fall seasons, after wintering over but before they start to grow again.
Philodendron micans plants are sensitive to the cold and will suffer a lot of damage if they’re pruned during winter time. They should be trimmed back by about one-third, removing any dead leaves or branches, as well as any that are touching the ground. This is usually enough for philodendron micans, but if you want to trim philodendron micans more than that, it’s best not to do so until late summer or early fall when they’re starting to show signs of slowing down.
Propagation and Growth
Propagation is the process of creating a new philodendron micans plant from an existing philodendron micans. There are two philodendron micans 
propagation methods:
- rhizome cuttings (the method used to create most philodendrons) and
- stem cutting. Stem cuttings can be taken from philodendrons that are either in the ground or container-grown.
When propagating philodendron micans, it is important to take cuttings at an appropriate time of year for plant growth and development. For rhizome cuttings, a late fall or early winter cutting when plants have gone dormant is best. For stem cuttings, take philodendron micans that have just produced a new shoot or growth of leaves for the fall and winter months. This will ensure philodendrons are producing enough energy to create healthy roots during this time period.
It’s also important not to take too many philodendron micans cuttings from the same philodendron. For rhizome, no more than one philodendron per five feet of root ball should be taken to avoid weakening and damaging existing philodendrons. For stem cuttings, it is recommended that only two new shoots at a time are taken.
If philodendron micans are being propagated in a container, it is important to purchase or create new containers before taking cuttings as they need adequate space for roots and branches.
Here are some tips on how to successfully take philodendron micans stem cutting without damaging them.
The best time to take philodendron micans stem cutting is during the late spring or early summer, usually around April.
- Cut a philodendron micans leaf in half and place it on top of wet paper towel for about 24 hours before taking philodendrons cuttings from the plant. This will cause some leaves to fall off the philodendron micans, and make it easier to remove the cuttings.
- Wait until philodendrons are about 12 inches high before taking philodendron micans stem cutting because they will be less likely to snap when pulled out of the ground or container.
- Use a sharp knife or shears to take philodendron micans stem cuttings from the philodendrons. The cutting should be about three inches long, with a piece of root and some leaves on it.
- Wrap philodendron micans stem cutting in moist paper towel or newspaper to keep them fresh for transport while you prepare their new philodendron plant home.
- Take philodendrons stem cutting to a fresh pot of moist soil, and place them so that roots are spreading out on all sides in the bottom of the container. Pat down philodendrons micans cuttings in the dirt about an inch deep, water thoroughly until philodends is well wet, and then water philodendron micans cuttings about one inch of water per week.
- If the philodendrons stem cutting does not take root in a few weeks or months, remove it from the pot and replace with another philodendron micans stem cutting to give it time to grow healthy roots.
- Keep philodendrons micans stem cuttings in a warm, humid environment with bright light, and they should take root within one to two months if the conditions are right.
Repotting
Philodendrons are plants that grow best when they’re pot-bound. This means the philodendrons need to be repotted in order for them to receive the necessary nutrients and water, as well as enough room to expand. Typically philodendrons should be repotted every year or two because it’s the philodendron’s natural habit to grow quickly.
- Prune away any dead or dying branches
- Remove all unnecessary roots from the old pot
- Fill a new, larger container with soil and place philodendrons in it. The top of philodendrons should be at least an inch below the surface of the soil.
- Fill in the philodendron’s bare root area with fresh potting mix to help it anchor into its new container
- Water philodendrons and place them in a well lit, warm spot that receives indirect sunlight (not full sun) for at least six hours per day
Plant Disease
Philodendrons can be difficult plants and are often prone to pests and diseases like fungus. Luckily the majority of these philodendrons can be treated with a fungicide. You should also remove any philodendron micans that are showing signs of disease or pest infestation, and keep them from coming into contact with philodendron micans plants around them to help stop the spread.
Philodendron Micans Plant Variegated
Philodendron Micans Variegated is a philodendron species that has dark green leaves with yellow and white stripes. They produce small, reddish-green flowers in late spring and summer. This philodendron is best grown in a hanging pot and requires bright light and high humidity levels to thrive.
It does not like dry or cool temperatures so it should be kept plant warm and humid areas or filtered light for the winter. They are also susceptible to overwatering which can lead to root rot if not caught early enough.
Common Issues with Philodendron Micans Plant
The philodendron micans plant is a small and easy-to-care for houseplant. It thrives in low light, humid environments with consistently moist soil. However, philodendrons are sensitive to drought conditions as well as temperature fluctuations. Below we will explore some of the most common issues philodendron micans plant owners face.
If philodendrons are not receiving enough light, their leaves will turn yellow and drop off. Move philodendrons in front of a window with some sun exposure so that they can receive the adequate amount of light for optimal growth.
Constantly dry soil will cause philodendrons to have brown leaves and droop. To counteract this, make sure the potting mix is moist always. If you are not able water philodendrons every day (due to a lack of time or access), set them in a bowl of water to keep the philodendron micans plant moist.
A drastic change in room temperature will affect philodendrons, causing it to lose its leaves and droop. Make sure you always have an even amount of ambient temp and temperature in philodendron micans plant’s environment.
Low humidity will cause philodendron leaves to turn brown and brittle. Make sure you have a humidifier running or place philondrons near a steamy bathroom while you shower for the best results!
Tips for Keeping Philodendron Micans Plant Happy
One thing that you can do to keep philodendron micans plant happy is by watering philodendron micans when soil feels dry. When philodendron micans gets too much water, philodendron micans will wilt.
You should also be mindful of how philodendron micans plant reacts to light. The light philodendrons like the most is medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Depending on your own preferences, it also might be a good idea to trim philodendrons occasionally to keep philodendron from getting too big or out of control.
These tips are all designed so that philodendron micans plant stays happy and healthy!
Philodendron Micans Plant Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for a philodendron Micans?
Philodendron micans plants like bright, indirect light so the best place to put them is near a window that gets lots of sun during the day but avoid direct sunlight in order to prevent scorching. philodendrons love humidity and need good air circulation so placing it on something elevated can help with this issue as well as misting the philodendron every day. philodendrons are poisonous so make sure to keep it away from kids and pets!
Is philodendron Micans a cultivar?
Philodendron Micans is a cultivar of philodendrons that are native to Brazil. The philodendron micans plant resembles the common philodendra, but it has silver-black leaves with white spots or stripes on them.
How do philodendron Micans grow?
The philodendron Micans plant is a type of philodendron that grows on tree trunks. They are also called the “tree philodendrons”.
Are Micans fast growing?
Micans philodendrons are not fast growing, unlike many other philodendron varieties. They grow at a rate of about one foot per year.
Do philodendrons grow fast?
Philodendrons are not considered to be fast-growing plants. They grow at an average pace, which means you can’t expect them to make strong growth in a single day or week. Philodendron micans plant should take about five years for it to reach its full height and width potentials, but they will grow at varying speeds.
Is philodendron Micans a rare plant?
Philodendron Micans is not rare, but it’s also not common. It was discovered in 1931 and only grows in the most remote areas of Brazil- which are hard to access without a very long journey into the Amazon rainforest.
Conclusion
The philodendron micans plant is an exquisite and rare variety of philodendron that starts to sprout lime-green leaves with yellowish stripes. The philodendron plant is an excellent way for someone who isn’t very good with gardening or keeping up with their own flora to enjoy the benefits of a plant in their home. If you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain houseplant philodendron micans may be the perfect choice for your indoor decorating space! Find the philodendron micans for sale here.
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