The Philodendron sodiroi is a rare type of philodendron with beautiful silvery leaves. It’s a strong climber that would look great in and around your home.
But don’t be intimidated by this beautiful, rare plant and its usually high price tag because like other philodendrons, it can actually be easy to care for, even for newbies.
Still, every gardener should know that different plants thrive in different conditions. The following are things to consider when caring for the rare Philodendron sodiroi:
Choosing the Right Soil
Like many tropical plants, the Philodendron sodiroi loves high-quality, well-draining soil mixture. Don’t plant it in sandy or clayish soil. If you have good-quality top soil, you can use that, but you can also add some compost or buy garden soil.
Another option is to prepare potting soil using a combination of your yard soil and 2-3 of the following:
- Compost
- Perlite
- Orchid bark
- Peat moss
- Coarse sand
Using Fertilizers
While fertilizers are generally great for providing your plants with nutrients, it’s not ideal to over feed your plant. Philodendrons better thrive at a neutral pH (around 4.5 to 6), but excessive fertilizer use can increase the soil’s pH levels.
It’s best to use diluted liquid fertilizer just around 3-4 times per growing season.
How to Properly Water
The Philodendron sodiroi is actually a low-maintenance plant that requires less water than most houseplants. You can actually wait to water it until the top is nearly dry.
Also, don’t let your plant’s roost soak in water. It will lead to root rot. Make sure the soil and pot have good drainage.
The Right Amount of Sunlight
Put it near the window or on the porch to get plenty of sunlight at certain times of the day, but not too much.
The Right Temperature
Keep the plant in temperatures of around 18-27°C (65-80°F). However, don’t put them close to places with temperature extremes, such as near heating vents or your A/C unit.
The Right Humidity
This tropical plant loves humid places, so it can thrive well in your laundry room. But that can defeat the purpose of this beautiful plant, right?
So, you can put it in your living room but add a humidity tray underneath the plant with rocks to keep the roots out of the water.
