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In this beginner guide of how to grow a Philodendron Florida Ghost you will learn about this popular plant which has become a coveted houseplant for plant lovers, including;
- Why is Philodendron Philodendron Florida Ghost so expensive?
- How to care for a Philodendron Florida Ghost.
- How do you keep Philodendron Florida Ghost Color?
- How to propagate a Philodendron Florida Ghost.
- Common pests and diseases of the Philodendron Florida Ghost.
- And a Few Frequently Asked Questions.
Florida Ghost Philodendron is a rare, evergreen, hybrid Philodendron. The leaves have multiple lobes and are white in their juvenile state.
As they grow from their juvenile state to mature aged leaves, the color changes beautifully into shades of yellow and finally turns green. Philodendron Florida Ghost Care includes bright indirect sunlight, warm temperatures, and frequent watering after the upper soil gets dry.
The plant is a climber and its reddish stems grow beautifully around support. Importantly, keep your kids and pets far away from this toxic houseplant.
Philodendron Florida Ghost are expensive but also still a type of philodendron which are incredibly easy to grow.
Philodendrons made our list of the 20 Best Indoor Plants You Can’t Kill.
Why is Philodendron Philodendron Florida Ghost so expensive?
The Florida Ghost is expensive.
For the past 15 years, this plant has remained largely unknown, until it gained notoriety as a result of numerous Instagram postings and flashy reels highlighting its unusual characteristics.
This is because growers cannot totally guarantee their philodendrons will turn out white enough to actually sell as a Florida Ghost Philodendron, even if the mother plant is already heavily variegated with white.
Unfortunately, many of them end up being disposed of because of too much variegation which is also a bad thing.
The white parts of the plant do not photosynthesis solar energy to produce chlorophyll for the plant like the green parts of the leaves. Chlorophyll is the fuel for the plant.
Too much variegation or albino growth can look really cool, BUT, this type of growth cannot gather solar energy and will eventually die back. If all the new growth becomes albino, the plant will not survive.
Cultivators have struggled to maintain this plant in stock since then, which is why a cutting with two or more leaves can cost upwards of $100.
How to care for a Philodendron Florida Ghost.
Soil
Make sure your Florida Ghost Philodendron is planted in well-draining potting soil. I personally just eyeball my potting mixture.
I mix roughly 65-70% Miracle Gro Indoor Potting Mix with 20-25% perlite, and 10% horticultural charcoal.
I’ve found that Florida Ghost Philodendrons like it on the drier side, so let the soil dry out a touch between watering.
If you’re worried about over-watering, try to use an earthenware or terra cotta pot. Always plant in pots with drainage holes.
Water
Water when the top inch of soil dries out.
Be on the lookout to not overwater, since Florida Ghost Philodendron will rot if kept soggy.
If the leaves are brown and slump, the plant is probably going not getting enough water.
Droopy leaves can mean the plant is getting either an excessive amount of or not enough water, but they need to revive once you correct the matter.
Light
Bright indirect sunlight is sweet for the Florida Ghost Philodendron.
Not sure of the difference between direct and indirect light?
If you place your hand between your plant and the light; and if you feel the heat of the sun on your skin, or if the shadow your hand casts has sharp, hard edges, your plant is indirect light, which is just too extreme for most indoor house plants. If the shadow is soft, that placement has indirect light, and most likely your houseplants are going to be happy there.
You’ll want to place it indoors near a window, where the sun shines in but doesn’t reach the plant directly. Importantly, exposure to direct sunlight may burn the foliage.
Leaf yellowing may be a part of development.
Older leaves turn yellow naturally. However, if an oversized number of leaves are turning yellow, it’s getting to be a sign of over-exposure to sunlight.
On the other hand, the leggy stem indicates a shortage of sunlight.
Temperature & Humidity
The temperature tolerance of Philodendron Florida Ghost is standard for the species. Generally, they need to not be exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Indoors, protect them from cool drafts, like those from an air-conditioning vent.
These plants do like humidity, so if you reside in a dry climate, you may need to boost the humidity around your philodendron.
To do so, you’ll place a humidifier like this one near your philodendron. You can place the container on a tray of pebbles full of water, ensuring that the lowest part of the container isn’t touching the water, which can cause disease.
Brown leaf tips usually indicate that the humidity level is simply too low.
Fertilizing
Feed Philodendron Florida Ghost houseplants with a balanced liquid foliage houseplant fertilizer that contains macro-nutrients.
My favorite organic liquid fertilizer that I use on my houseplants is LiquiDirt. Water the plant with the fertilizer monthly in spring and summer and each six to eight weeks in fall and winter.
Slow growth and tiny leaf size is that the plant’s way of telling you that it isn’t getting enough fertilizer. Pale new leaves usually indicate that the plant isn’t getting enough calcium and magnesium, which are essential micro-nutrients for philodendrons.
Balanced Super Foods for Plants - Balanced Blend of Vitamins Minerals Micro-Fungi and Bio-Organisms
Toxicity
Philodendron Florida Ghost shouldn’t be consumed by animals or humans. Being educated on poisonous plants can assist you avoid any accidents all the while enjoying your greenery.
How do you keep Philodendron Florida Ghost White?
How to propagate a Philodendron Florida Ghost.
Philodendron Florida Ghost are often propagated using either water or soil propagation.
As part of the pant genre’s survival strategy, most (but not all) Philodendrons are for the most part easy to propagate.
Imagine if an animal breaks a portion of a plant growing and living in the canopy of a tree, another one will start growing from the broken cutting on the forest floor.
Most philodendron species can be propagated rather easily thanks to this survival characteristic.
Propagate the Philodendron Florida Ghost in 8 Easy Steps!
Taking a top stem cutting (not a leaf cutting) from a mature Philodendron Florida Ghost and putting it in a rich, organic potting mix is the easiest approach to reproduce your Philodendron Florida Ghost.
A lot of aerial roots are produced by healthy Florida Ghost. You should cut right below a node with a lot of aerial roots coming out of it.
- Using moist coco coir, perlite, and worm castings, make a tiny pot.
- Choose a healthy section of the main stem with 1-2 nodes with aerial roots from the top of your mature Florida Ghost.
- Cut the stem just below the node with a clean pair of pruning scissors.
- Dip the freshly cut stem in a rooting hormone powder or solution.
- Plant the stem in your pre-made potting mix, burying the aerial roots 2-3 inches into the soil.
- Fill the rest of the pot with potting mix that has been left over.
- Thoroughly wet the area.
- Place in a warm environment with plenty of bright, indirect light.
Roots can take anything from 3-6 weeks to form, and in some cases even longer.
Lightly tug (and I mean gently) on the base of the stem to see if roots have begun to grow.
You’ve got roots if there’s some resistance.
Common pests and diseases of the Philodendron Florida Ghost.
Philodendrons aren’t too susceptible to insects, but you could encounter aphids and mealybugs.
Periodically showering the plant with water and applying insecticidal soap will help keep pests cornered.
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