Can you identify this plant and help me take better care of it?
April 14, 2011 5:25 AM Subscribe
Can anyone identify this plant and help me take better care of it? I think it's slowly dying.
I inherited it a couple years ago from a friend-of-a-friend who was moving, and have now moved twice myself. It doesn't seem to be doing that well in its new location- here's a picture of the east-facing window with good light where it currently lives.
If anyone can identify it, I can at least look up more information on what it likes. I don't know if I need to dump something besides water on the soil, or get it more/less water/light, or if it's sharing its pot with a nasty something. Help!
I inherited it a couple years ago from a friend-of-a-friend who was moving, and have now moved twice myself. It doesn't seem to be doing that well in its new location- here's a picture of the east-facing window with good light where it currently lives.
If anyone can identify it, I can at least look up more information on what it likes. I don't know if I need to dump something besides water on the soil, or get it more/less water/light, or if it's sharing its pot with a nasty something. Help!
It's a non-variegated Pothos. They can take abuse pretty well but less water is definitely better than too much water. Light looks fine.
posted by lydhre at 5:33 AM on April 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 5:33 AM on April 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
They are not actually called philodendrons, by the way, despite what big box plant stores seem to think. Philodendrons look like this.
posted by lydhre at 5:35 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by lydhre at 5:35 AM on April 14, 2011
Lydhre's link seems to suggest they should be repotted every couple of years, and fertilized in spring. Has it ever been repotted or fertilized?
posted by Ahab at 5:40 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by Ahab at 5:40 AM on April 14, 2011
Also, and then I'll stop, these are epiphyte plants. Ideally they'd like to cling to tree bark in diffuse light and get regular moisture from the air. We grow them in pots because it's easier, but make sure the soil doesn't stay soggy after you've watered your plant or its roots may rot. Yellowing leaves once in a while can be normal, leaves have a lifespan after all, but if it appears systematic then I suggest repotting with new soil, trimming any potentially rotted roots, giving it a good hair cut to reinvigorate it and, after it has started sending out new growth, fertilize it gently.
posted by lydhre at 5:46 AM on April 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 5:46 AM on April 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
They are not actually called philodendrons
I saw that too when researching the type of plant, where pothos was mistakenly referred to being part of the philodendron family. They appear to be part of the araceae family of plants. A close match to this particular plant might be epipremnum aureum which needs indirect medium sunlight, a temperature of between 17 to 30 °C (63 to 86 °F), and water sparingly.
posted by samsara at 5:49 AM on April 14, 2011
I saw that too when researching the type of plant, where pothos was mistakenly referred to being part of the philodendron family. They appear to be part of the araceae family of plants. A close match to this particular plant might be epipremnum aureum which needs indirect medium sunlight, a temperature of between 17 to 30 °C (63 to 86 °F), and water sparingly.
posted by samsara at 5:49 AM on April 14, 2011
That is a pothos, as others have noted. There are actually quite a variety of leaf-shapes of philodendrons, some of which are very similar to the pothos, but the philodendron has a more heart-shaped leaf.
posted by fancyoats at 5:59 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by fancyoats at 5:59 AM on April 14, 2011
Yellowing leaves can often be a sign of lack of nutrition. Make sure it's in an adequately sized pot and give it a bit of food every now and then.
posted by londonmark at 6:15 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by londonmark at 6:15 AM on April 14, 2011
I saw that too when researching the type of plant, where pothos was mistakenly referred to being part of the philodendron family. They appear to be part of the araceae family of plants.
Philodendron and Pothos are both in the family Araceae, although they are in different subfamilies.
Confusingly, the houseplant we call a pothos is actually not in the genus Pothos (it used to be). It's not a Philodendron either, despite what they are commonly labeled in stores. What you've got there is Epipremnum aureum, also an Araceae. It is commonly called "pothos" but is no longer in that genus (and in fact is in a different subfamily than either Philodendron or Pothos).
Here is how you can tell it's Epipremnum and not Philodendron:
-The petiole (leaf stalk) is grooved - see the trench? - which is not true for philodendrons. (This is really the key trait, but I'll list a few more for the purposes of trivia.)
-The leaves are glossy; philodendron leaves are more matte.
-The leaves fold up a bit at the base, where they meet the petiole; philodendron leaves don't tend to do that.
-The pointed tip of the leaf ("drip tip") is usually more drawn out on philodendrons than is the case for your plant.
You've already been given good advice above for how to care for this plant, so I won't restate everything. Really, really don't overwater it. The light should be fine.
posted by pemberkins at 6:31 AM on April 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
Philodendron and Pothos are both in the family Araceae, although they are in different subfamilies.
Confusingly, the houseplant we call a pothos is actually not in the genus Pothos (it used to be). It's not a Philodendron either, despite what they are commonly labeled in stores. What you've got there is Epipremnum aureum, also an Araceae. It is commonly called "pothos" but is no longer in that genus (and in fact is in a different subfamily than either Philodendron or Pothos).
Here is how you can tell it's Epipremnum and not Philodendron:
-The petiole (leaf stalk) is grooved - see the trench? - which is not true for philodendrons. (This is really the key trait, but I'll list a few more for the purposes of trivia.)
-The leaves are glossy; philodendron leaves are more matte.
-The leaves fold up a bit at the base, where they meet the petiole; philodendron leaves don't tend to do that.
-The pointed tip of the leaf ("drip tip") is usually more drawn out on philodendrons than is the case for your plant.
You've already been given good advice above for how to care for this plant, so I won't restate everything. Really, really don't overwater it. The light should be fine.
posted by pemberkins at 6:31 AM on April 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
I have this plant. 8 of them. They are very easy plants. I usually water them only when they droop a little, every 2 weeks or so. Be generous with watering, but in the meantime let the soil dry out a little. Yellow leaf every now and then is normal. I usually keep them trimmed (about 50 cm) and don't let vines grow too long. When you cut them, insert cuttings into the pot, they will root easily and you will have nice bushy plant with plenty of vines.
posted by leigh1 at 6:39 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by leigh1 at 6:39 AM on April 14, 2011
Your plant's vines are too long and the root can't sustain them. I would radically cut it, at about this size. Use cut vine to make a lot of cuttings. You can root cuttings in a glass of water, or you can stick them directly into pot (or you can do both, to increase chance of success). Every cutting should have a little "bud" that looks like this. This is where the root will grow.
posted by leigh1 at 7:01 AM on April 14, 2011
posted by leigh1 at 7:01 AM on April 14, 2011
Yellowing leaves can also be a sign of too much moisture - Araceae like well-drained soil, and react badly to having their roots kept damp (leigh1's advice RE: letting it dry out between waterings is good.)
Three more suggestions:
1. Check the soil - if it's dense and compacted, repot with some catus / palm / succulent potting soil (there are lots of different brands). This will improve drainage.
2. Make sure there is good drainage from the bottom of the pot. Placing some stones or old pot shards at the bottom when you repot will help to keep the holes clear of soil.
3. I have two, and throw some worm castings on top of the soil 2-3 times a year before I water - they generally react w/a burst of new, deep green growth.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:07 AM on April 14, 2011
Three more suggestions:
1. Check the soil - if it's dense and compacted, repot with some catus / palm / succulent potting soil (there are lots of different brands). This will improve drainage.
2. Make sure there is good drainage from the bottom of the pot. Placing some stones or old pot shards at the bottom when you repot will help to keep the holes clear of soil.
3. I have two, and throw some worm castings on top of the soil 2-3 times a year before I water - they generally react w/a burst of new, deep green growth.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:07 AM on April 14, 2011
Lydhre has it.
My two huge and pretty plants vine all around the living room and across the entry to the kitchen from the dining room, and are thick with leaves. I cut back about 3 inches from the tips to promote thick leaves about 5-6 times a year and fertilize at least 3 times a year, because there is so much foliage. Don't overwater (although underwatering will also cause yellow leaves.) Your best bet is to soak the plant, and let it dry thoroughly between waterings. Water when the leaves look a little saggy. A couple of yellow leaves are no big deal as long as you're pruning the tips. It will fill in. I'd cut yours back behind the yellow leaves, then repot with some new soil in a pot barely two size larger (too large, and all it will do is grow roots to fit.) I root mine in water with just a drop of rooting medium to encourage them. To root the cuts, cut them into pieces about a foot length with at least two leaves on each piece and make sure there are no leaves in the water. Add them into the existing plant when you repot, and it will be thick and pretty. They really don't like direct light, so you might want to move it back slightly from the window.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:39 AM on April 14, 2011
My two huge and pretty plants vine all around the living room and across the entry to the kitchen from the dining room, and are thick with leaves. I cut back about 3 inches from the tips to promote thick leaves about 5-6 times a year and fertilize at least 3 times a year, because there is so much foliage. Don't overwater (although underwatering will also cause yellow leaves.) Your best bet is to soak the plant, and let it dry thoroughly between waterings. Water when the leaves look a little saggy. A couple of yellow leaves are no big deal as long as you're pruning the tips. It will fill in. I'd cut yours back behind the yellow leaves, then repot with some new soil in a pot barely two size larger (too large, and all it will do is grow roots to fit.) I root mine in water with just a drop of rooting medium to encourage them. To root the cuts, cut them into pieces about a foot length with at least two leaves on each piece and make sure there are no leaves in the water. Add them into the existing plant when you repot, and it will be thick and pretty. They really don't like direct light, so you might want to move it back slightly from the window.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:39 AM on April 14, 2011
I've always found pothos to be one of the most sturdy and forgiving houseplants.
In my experience, which means hardly ever re-potting, watering about once a week, and subjecting them to the office's dark weekends when no one is there, I've had a couple at my desk at work that have been chugging along for nearly 15 years. The only warning signs I obey are: if they yellow, they're getting too much water, so skip a time; and if they droop, they're not getting enough water, so give them some. Pretty much that basic.
posted by aught at 8:56 AM on April 14, 2011
In my experience, which means hardly ever re-potting, watering about once a week, and subjecting them to the office's dark weekends when no one is there, I've had a couple at my desk at work that have been chugging along for nearly 15 years. The only warning signs I obey are: if they yellow, they're getting too much water, so skip a time; and if they droop, they're not getting enough water, so give them some. Pretty much that basic.
posted by aught at 8:56 AM on April 14, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by geegollygosh at 5:27 AM on April 14, 2011