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Philodendron Golden Dragon is a beautiful tropical species that belongs to the family of Araceae plants. It is a native of South America and is known for its beautiful golden-colored petioles (leaf stems) and undersides of the leaves.
In this beginner guide on how to grow a Philodendron Golden Dragon, you will learn about this popular plant which has become a coveted houseplant for plant lovers, including;
- Is philodendron golden dragon rare?
- How to care for a Philodendron Golden Dragon?
- How to propagate a Golden Dragon?.
- Common pests and diseases of the Philodendron,
- And a few Frequently asked questions.
Quick overview
Philodendron golden dragon Care at a Glance
Common name: Golden Dragon
Scientific name: Spathiphyllum spp.
Soil: Standard potting soil
Light: Bright indirect or morning sun
Water: Enough to keep soil lightly moist
Food: Flowering houseplant food
Temperature and humidity: Standard household to high humidity
Propagation: By division
Safety: Toxic if consumed by pets or people
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Are Philodendron Golden Dragon easy to care for?
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Is philodendron Golden Dragon rare?
How much does Philodendron Golden Dragon Cost and where can I buy one?
How to display Philodendron Golden Dragon?
how to Propagate a Philodendron Golden Dragon?
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 Golden Dragon in 8 Easy Steps!
Taking a top stem cutting (not a leaf-cutting) from a mature dark lord and putting it in a rich, organic potting mix is the easiest approach to reproduce your golden dragon.
A lot of aerial roots are produced by healthy dark lords. 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 philodendron dark lord.
- 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.
Distribution
Size and growth
Leaves
Philodendron Golden Dragon Care Tips
Light requirements
Bright indirect sunlight is the sweet spot for the Philodendron Golden Dragon.
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.
Water requirements
Water when the top inch of soil dries out.
Be on the lookout to not overwater, since Golden Dragon 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.
Temperature requirements
The temperature tolerance of the Philodendron Golden Dragon 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.
Humidity requirements
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.
Substrate/Soil requirements
Make sure your Golden Dragon 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 Philodendron Golden Dragon 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.
Repotting requirements
Philodendrons thrive in both outdoor and indoor containers. Allow enough room for growth; for starters, a 10′′ to 20′′ circle, 10′′ deep pot should serve.
Keep in mind that the looser your roots are, the higher and healthier your plant will be.
When the plant’s growth slows due to root entanglement, it’s time to upgrade to a larger pot.
Fertilizer requirements
Slow growth and tiny leaf size are 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.
Fertilize sparingly, at least 6 inches away from the base, tri-annually with a slow-time released product to assist your new Philodendron Golden Dragon to get established. My favorite organic liquid fertilizer that I use on my houseplants is LiquiDirt.
Balanced Super Foods for Plants - Balanced Blend of Vitamins Minerals Micro-Fungi and Bio-Organisms
Water the plant with the fertilizer monthly in spring and summer and each six to eight weeks in fall and winter.
They will develop slowly if they are not fertilized. Note that the excessive salts in cheaper fertilizers may harm the plant’s roots and may even kill it.
Common pests and diseases of the Philodendron Golden Dragon
Philodendrons aren’t too susceptible to insects, but you may encounter aphids or mealybugs.
Periodically showering the plant with water and applying insecticidal soap will help keep pests cornered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is philodendron Golden Dragon a hybrid?
Philodendron Golden Dragon is a Thailand hybrid possibly crossed with Philodendron bipennifolium. The foliage is green with unusual pinnate-type lobes that are produced that give its an unusual shape.
Is philodendron Golden Dragon variegated?
Philodendron “Golden Dragon Variegata” is a stunning aroid with thick green leaves with speckled yellow variegation that have several deep lobes.
Is lime fiddle the same as Golden Dragon?
The Philodendron Lime Fiddle is a tropical plant with lovely large leaves and is a climbing variety of Philodendron. These plants have several nicknames, including the Golden Dragon Philodendron.
What is the rarest Philodendron?
The rarest Philodendron on this list is the Philodendron Spiritus Sancti. With only a handful of these unique foliaged beauties in the wild, this endangered species is the rarest Philodendron variety. This plant is also one of the most expensive Philodendron varieties available.
Is the Philodendron Golden Dragon Toxic to Pets?
The Philodendron Golden Dragon shouldn’t be consumed by animals or humans. Being educated on poisonous plants can assist you to avoid any accidents all the while enjoying your greenery.
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