How to grow a Philodendron Gloriosum, A Beginner Care Guide

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The Philodendron Gloriosum is one of the most stunning houseplants available. It is a member of the tropical plant family Araceae, which is often referred to as aroids. When flowering, these green growers are distinguished by their dark green, huge blossoming leaves and a partly enclosed cylindrical core stem.

Philodendrons, like many other houseplants, require a habitat that closely resembles their native environment. The dark green leaves of the philodendron gloriosum, with their contrasting pale veins, make a dramatic focus point for any living room. In this beginner guide of how to grow a Philodendron Gloriosum you will learn about this popular plant which has become a coveted houseplant for plant lovers, including

  • Is Philodendron Gloriosum rare?
  • Is it a climber or a creeper?
  • How to care for a Philodendron Gloriosum?
  • How Much Does Philodendron gloriosum cost?
  • Why Are Philodendron gloriosums So Expensive?
  • Where Can I Buy A Philodendron Gloriosum?
  • How to propagate a Philodendron Gloriosum?
  • What are Glorisum Hybrids?
  • Should you bury the rhizome?
  • Common pests and diseases of the Philodendron Gloriosum?
  • And a few Frequently asked questions.
 Is Philodendron Gloriosum rare?

Is Philodendron Gloriosum rare?

The Philodendron Glorisum is a rare plant that originates from tropical parts of the world.

The Philodendron Gloriosum is a member of the Araceae plant family, more frequently referred to as aroids. The botanists who initially named the plant were apparently taken aback by its look, giving it the Latin name Gloriosum, which translates as “glorious!”

These leafy green plants are easily identifiable by their enormous dark green leaves. Philodendrons are critical to rainforest ecosystems, and they require a habitat that is as near to their native habitat as possible. The big green leaves and contrastingly pale veins of philodendrons make them an eye-catching focal point in both nature and the house.

Philodendron (Philodendron gloriosum)

  • Family: Araceae
  • Genus: Philodendron
  • Species: Philodendron Gloriosum

The species name derives from the Greek words philo, which means “love,” and dendron, which means “tree,” most likely referring to the heart-shaped leaves.

Is Philodendron Gloriosum a climber or a creeper?

The Gloriosum is a crawling philodendron with heartleaf shaped green velvety foliage and pale to striking white veins. 

By crawling we mean creeping on the ground. Its stem grows horizontally along the surface. Philodendrons are either climbers or creepers. This one is a creeper.

 Is Philodendron Gloriosum rare?

How to care for a Philodendron Gloriosum?

These tropical Aroids are simple to grow. Simply follow the specified instructions, and they will flourish without requiring much effort on your part.

Soil

Philodendrons do best in loose, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. They will grow in 100 percent sphagnum peat moss. Peat-vermiculite or peat-perlite mixes, for example, are also suitable. You might want to inquire about the definition of well-drained soil. A soil that is well-drained allows water to flow in and out at a moderate rate.

When a plant’s soil is saturated with too much water, the plant’s oxygen absorption from the soil is reduced, which can lead to death.

If you want a nice result, you shouldn’t utilize garden soil for your indoor planting.

Garden soil may include disease organisms, weed seeds, and is not always well-drained. However, you might use a well-draining high-quality potting soil. Philodendrons require good drainage in order to thrive.

However, an ordinary potting mix will not suffice. You should include some other ingredients.

I recommend using about 30 to 50 percent potting mix and then adding perlite and orchid bark to the balance of the soil.

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Water

You’ll be alright if you don’t overwater your Philodendron Gloriosum. When the top inch or two of soil dries out, you’ll need to water it again. Allowing the soil to dry out too much can cause it to shrink and draw inwards away from the sides of the planter, which is a sure symptom of this.

If this happens a few times, it won’t necessarily harm the plant. When the soil shrinks away from the sides of the planter, however, water might escape and go straight to the bottom, bypassing the roots! 

If you begin to see droopy leaves, the plant has likely been overwatered. Once the watering schedule is fixed, this will correct itself.

In the summer, I water more frequently, and in the winter, I let the soil dry out between waterings. Overall, they are a plant that is forgiving if the routine is disrupted.

In the winter, when the plant is not actively developing, you can water it less frequently—about once a month.

While Philodendron Gloriosum is tolerant of a wide range of indoor humidity levels, you’ll notice that when humidity levels are a little higher, the leaves grow larger and healthier. In the winter, I keep mine in a small bathroom that gets midday light and all of the pleasant humidity that comes with showers!

Light

Philodendron Gloriosum plants, like many other philodendrons, prefer strong indirect light; too much direct light can burn the leaves. They can withstand slightly less light than houseplants, but their leaves will be smaller.

When the plant is not exposed to bright indirect light, it may grow stemmy or leggy. Stemmy/leggy simply implies that there is greater space between each leaf, resulting in sparse stems.

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.

How much light do my plants need?

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Temperature & Humidity

Temperatures of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night are ideal for Philodendron Gloriosum.

Philodendron Gloriosum are native to Central America as well as Peru, Ecuador, the western parts of Brazil and Venezuela and flourish in high humidity environments.

During the winter, the atmosphere is dry, meaning there is no water vapor present, implying a low humidity level. Plant development is extremely slow or non-existent throughout the winter.

There are several techniques to maintain a high humidity level at home, as listed below:

  • Make use of a humidifier.
  • Place your plant (complete with pot!) on a tray filled with damp pebbles.
  • Place your plant in the bathroom (assuming it receives enough light!)
  • Plants should be grouped together (if you have multiple tropical plants, position them next to each other) to improve humidity.

Growth Rate

Philodendron gloriosum is a plant that grows slowly. The spring and summer months are the most active growing seasons. As a general rule of thumb, during the winter, you shouldn’t expect much, if any, new growth.

While it may seem apparent, giving additional water or light to your plant will not speed up its sluggish development and may even harm it.

The Velvet Philodendron’s plant requirements are simple, although eager growers may try (unsuccessfully) to speed up the plant’s development. Take it leisurely and appreciate the gradual and steady evolution of this lovely layout.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer is plant food. It aids in the replenishment of lost soil nutrients, supplies essential ingredients for plant growth, and aids in the maintenance of soil fertility.

Fertilizer comes in a variety of forms. We have the following:

How do you know which fertilizer is best for your needs?

As I explain, relax and make yourself a cup of coffee.

Liquid Fertilizer

Water-soluble plant food is another name for this. It’s combined with water before being used to water the plant. Liquid fertilizer promotes the growth of larger flower plants while also providing a simple and effective method of nourishing both the plant and the soil.

Liquid fertilizer gives you a lot of control over the amount you apply and ensures a uniform application. My favorite organic liquid fertilizer that I use on my houseplants is LiquiDirt.

Liquid fertilizer, on the other hand, is susceptible to volatilization, especially when used on outdoor plants.

Granular Fertilizer

This fertilizer is strewn across the soil. It’s more efficient for pre-plant application and easier to store.

When overfed into the soil, however, it will burn the plant’s leaves off.

Unlike liquid fertilizer, immobile nutrients like iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) may not be able to reach the plant’s root.

Slow Release Fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizers are available in a variety of forms, including shell, piton, and capsules. It gently releases nutrients into the soil. It’s a resin-coated fertilizer that gradually adds nutrients to the soil by breaking down naturally due to water, sunlight, and soil bacteria.

Because there are fewer spaces to cover, this form of fertilizer works well in small pots. Slow-release compost relieves the stress of adding fertilizer to the soil on a regular basis.

So, what should you feed your Philodendron Gloriosum in terms of fertilizer?

Most houseplants do OK with liquid fertilizer when grown inside as houseplants.

This is also true of our Philodendron Gloriosum.

That being said, get yourself a balanced liquid fertilizer, follow the instructions on the fertilizer, and maybe apply half of what is recommended.

Because it’s always preferable to err on the side of caution when it comes to feeding your plants. Also note that with fertilizer you get what you pay for and that the heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers may harm the plant’s root systems and may even kill it.

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Toxicity

All Philodendrons have a lot of calcium oxalate crystals in them. The foliage causes an allergic reaction on the lips, mouth, and esophagus when eaten.

Furthermore, they can have serious consequences for animals. As a result, keep children and pets away from these lovely plants.

Potting And Repotting

I always use a pot that drains quickly and is of good quality for my Philodendron Gloriosum. A hanging basket or a ceramic pot are my favorites.

You must repot your Philodendron Gloriosum if the roots become coiled in a tight ball or root bound.

It’s preferable to pick a larger pot that’s just a smidgeon bigger than the root ball. I use one that is 2-3 inches larger than the root ball.

I have found that the best time to repot is during the spring just as new growth starts to leaves appear for the growing season.

Otherwise, the plant may get root rot as a result of sitting in too much damp soil. You want to allow the plant enough space to grow and flourish without drowning it!

For me, this seemed to produce the finest outcomes.

How Much Does Philodendron gloriosum cost?

This gorgeous plant is on the higher end of the price range for houseplants. On Etsy, smaller Philodendron gloriosums go for $150-200 — or more. If budget is a factor, there are many alternative, more economical gloriosum choices available, such as the Philodendron verrucsoum.

If you just want a nice Philodendron, the Philodendron birkin, which has the most stunning variegation, is a good choice. Etsy also provides a large selection of them.

If you have your heart set on this heart-shaped beauty, you may seek for Philodendron gloriosum cuttings for sale on sites like Facebook Marketplace, which may be a bit more reasonable. However, this plant may be expensive, even in cutting form, and can cost $100 or more.

Why Are Philodendron gloriosums So Expensive?

Unlike many other Philodendrons, Philodendron gloriosum does not have genetically modified leaves, but it does feature huge, gorgeous heart-shaped leaves with dramatic veins.

The strong demand for these specimens, along with a restricted supply, results in increased prices.

Where Can I Buy A Philodendron Gloriosum?

You might be interested in adding a Philodendron Gloriosum to your home garden now that you know more about it.

They are, thankfully, fairly popular and readily available at local nurseries or in the home improvement garden area of stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

If shopping online is more convenient, another nice option is to get a Philodendron Gloriosum from Etsy.

How to propagate a Philodendron Gloriosum

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 Gloriosum in 8 Easy Steps!

Taking a top stem cutting (not a leaf cutting) from a mature Philodendron Gloriosum and putting it in a rich, organic potting mix is the easiest approach to propagate your Gloriosum

A lot of aerial roots are produced by healthy Gloriosum. You should cut right below a node with a lot of aerial roots coming out of it.

  1. Using moist coco coir, perlite, and worm castings, make a tiny pot.
  2. Choose a healthy section of the main stem with 1-2 nodes with aerial roots from the top of your mature Philodendron Gloriosum.
  3. Cut the stem just below the node with a clean pair of pruning scissors.
  4. Dip the freshly cut stem in a rooting hormone powder or solution.
  5. Plant the stem in your pre-made potting mix, burying the aerial roots 2-3 inches into the soil.
  6. Fill the rest of the pot with potting mix that has been left over.
  7. Thoroughly wet the area.
  8. 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.

What are Glorisum Hybrids?

Philodendron Gloriosum x Melanochrysum (Glorious)

This is a stunning Gloriosum hybrid that combines the greatest qualities of two of our favorite plants. Philodendron Melanochrysum and Philodendron Gloriosum are two Philodendron species. It possesses the climbing habit of Melanochrysum and the lovely foliage of a Gloriosum, as well as certain Melanochrysum characteristics.

Hybrids are believed to develop quicker and more vigorously than both of their parents, while also being easier to care for.

Philondendron Gloriosum x Philodendron Pastazanum ( Philodendron Dean McDowell)

It’s a crawler this one. The leaves of the Philodendron Pastazanum are stunning on their own, with their gleaming bright green appearance. When crossed with a Philodendron Gloriosun, the Dean McDowell produces large glossy leaves with deep white veins. It is supposed to grow up to 3 feet (91cm) tall!

This one is also known as Philodendron McDowell or McDowelli, but Philodendron Dean McDowell is the true name.

Should you bury the rhizome?

We had no idea what to do with the rhizome when we initially received our Philodendron Gloriosum. The rhizome is the portion of the stem from which the leaves emerge.

This was our first creeper, and we weren’t sure what to expect.

Should we bury the rhizome or leave it above ground?

We even had the rhizome vertically at one point because all of our previous climbing expertise had been with Monstera and Philodendron species.

The solution is straightforward. Keep it above the ground. It’s meant to be on the soil surface so that the roots may develop into it. The rhizome’s upper half should be left visible.

The difficulty with a hidden rhizome is that if the earth remains damp, it is more prone to rot.

The roots are unable to grow into the soil when the rhizome stays above the ground.

As a result, placing it horizontally or allowing it to crawl out of the container will result in less and fewer leaves.

The rhizome must remain partially above ground and the roots must be allowed to make their way into the soil for optimal development.

 Is Philodendron Gloriosum rare?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Should I Place My Philondendron Gloriosum?

Put your Philondendron Gloriosum somewhere where it will get plenty of bright, indirect sunshine. This could be in close proximity to a west-facing or east-facing window.

What Type Of Pot Should I Use For My Philondendron Gloriosum?

Philodendrons thrive in both terra cotta, ceramic or plastic pots.
Allow enough room for growth and always ensure that your container has drainage holes.
When the plant’s growth slows due to root entanglement, it’s time to upgrade to a larger pot.

Are Philondendron Gloriosum Plants Toxic To Dogs?

Philondendron Gloriosum, like other Philodendron species, are poisonous to dogs. Keep your pets away from this plant!

Are Philondendron Gloriosum Plants Toxic To Cats?

Philondendron Gloriosum, like other Philodendron species, are dangerous to cats. Keep your pets away from this plant!

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