Why is my philodendron dying off, leaf by leaf?!

December 14, 2015 10:42 PM

I bought this sucker because it's supposed to be hearty. But lately, its leaves have been turning yellow and then shriveling up, one by one. I water it once a week or so- whenever the water doohickey said it needs it. And I'm pretty sure it gets enough sunlight. What am I doing wrong?! Poor plant. Here's a pic. Oh, also: my mom helped me repot it about a month ago, and she said some trauma is expected. But I've lost 3 big leaves so far, and I can see it happening again! Gah.
posted by jessca84 to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

According to this houseplant guide, it may be getting too much direct light.
posted by colfax at 11:12 PM on December 14, 2015

You planted it too deep. The green base of the plant where all those leaves diverge off should also be above the soil. If you planted it that deep to stabilize it, then instead of sinking the base you either need a heaver pot perhaps with rocks in the bottom or you need to stake the leaves or you need a taller pot with a lower soil level such that the upper rim of the pot cages in and supports the leaves. Its current buried state is asking for rot.

It may also be getting too much sun; it's hard to tell from the info you've provided thus far. And you may well be overwatering it as well. If you sink a finger deep into the soil and it comes back moist/wet, you should not water it yet regardless of whatever "the water doohickey" says. Does the pot you put it in have drainage holes in it?
posted by vegartanipla at 11:44 PM on December 14, 2015 [4 favorites]

Yellow leaves on a philodendron are almost always a sign of overwatering.

Also, philodendrons like to be root-bound, and based on that picture, it's potted too deeply. Pull it out, add some rocks underneath it, and lower the level of the dirt a bit and expect it to grow very slowly if you discover that the roots don't look mashed up against the edges of the pot.
posted by DaveP at 4:08 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]

nthing the suggestion of repotting it not as deep and that they like being root bound.
posted by sciencegeek at 5:34 AM on December 15, 2015

I don't think the problem is too much sun. Mine lives outside in direct sun all summer in Zone 7 and loves it.
posted by raisingsand at 7:36 AM on December 15, 2015

The way the leaf is yellowing looks like overwatering to me as well. And it looks like it was transplanted too deep. Repot it again, and this time set the plant so that the point where the lowest leaf joins the main stem of the plant is above the soil level.
posted by conic at 8:36 AM on December 15, 2015 [1 favorite]

We also have an outdoor specimen that receives at least some direct sunlight in the afternoon. It's thriving. Agreeing with everyone else that this looks like overwatering (we honestly water our only maybe once a month, if that, but it's quite established). Ours has very little soil in its container, which is now mostly filled with coils and coils and coils of root. The roots spill out of the top of the container and keep circling the outside of the planter.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 8:41 AM on December 15, 2015

Philodendrons can handle light if they are used to lots of light, but if you suddenly move them to a more lit area, they get sunburn. I don't think that's sunburn- usually it looks like a dry brown patch on a live leaf- but keep that in mind for when you move it around the house.

I agree that your plant stem is sad because it's wet and underground, and the leaves feel overwatered. Let it get very dry between waterings, then when it's time to water, put it in the tub, water it well, give it a cool shower for a couple minutes, and make sure it drains well, don't want it sitting in a puddle. With water only every 7-14 days, and a shower maybe once a month, it will be much happier.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:56 AM on December 15, 2015