Philodendron Burle Marx is a lush tropical plant having long, glossy leaves. This plant was named after the renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who advocated for using local species in his work. The Burle Marx will form a tiny clump, perhaps 2–3 feet tall, as a houseplant. When left to its own devices, it can develop into a big shrub that becomes a trailing vine. It tends to sprawl outward.
Burle Marx Plant Care
Table of Contents
The following are some practical tips for Burle Marx plant care:
Watering Requirement
Water your Philodendron in regular intervals to ensure proper growth. Make sure the soil is kept damp at all times. Otherwise, the plant might curl or wilt and eventually die.
Don’t overwater or let the soil dry out. Your Philodendron will die just as quickly if you overwater it as if you don’t water it enough. Moreover, it might invite diseases. Root rot is one of the most commonly caused diseases resulting from over-watering.
Other diseases, more terrible than root rot, can hit your plant when overwatered. Therefore, you must be cautious.
Light Requirement
A Philodendron requires bright and indirect light. Although it will survive in low light, it won’t flourish as you’d like.
Your plant’s leaves will be damaged or killed if exposed to direct sunlight. They are so thin that light can easily penetrate them. They might have black scorch scars that sampan your plant’s spirit, damaging its growth. Therefore, you must keep your plant protected. Shield it from direct sunlight.
Place your Philodendron in a north or east window where it can get ample indirect sunlight.
Soil Requirements
The Philodendron Burle Marx requires soil with good drainage. It must be designed to let any excess water escape through the bottom of the planter. In this way, the soil won’t be able to accumulate surplus water. Oxygen can’t reach the plant’s roots when the soil is soggy.
Use pure peat moss or a mixture of peat moss and perlite for ideal results while growing Philodendron Burle Marx.
Root rot occurs when oxygen is not delivered to a plant’s roots. As a result, dark brown or black coloration will appear on the plant, indicating root deterioration. They’ll start smelling musty and stale. If not given proper care, the plant eventually dies.
Your Philodendron requires soil that can retain water to ensure it receives enough moisture throughout the day.
Some people think that the plant only flourishes if given organic substances. It is not a must. However, your plant will be eternally grateful if you use organic resources. Don’t use anything that could turn into clay. Otherwise, your Philodendron won’t get enough water.
Image text: A how-to guide to Philodendron Burle Marx plant care
Alt-text: Planting new seedlings of Burle Marx
Image description: Green leaf plant
Soil acidity should be kept at bay, with a pH of 5.6 to 6.5 ideal. You must include acidic or somewhat acidic soil for your plant’s growth.
Temperature Requirement
Temperatures between 64 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit are suitable for the Philodendron Burle Marx. Anything more or less than this range can be catastrophic for the plant.
You may notice a stunting effect on your plant’s development if the temp goes below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, if it dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it will cease to exist.
Similarly, temperatures more than 79 degrees Fahrenheit are also harmful to the plant. Your Burle Marx might get scorched or succumb to death if kept at an unnecessarily hot temperature.
Humidity Requirement
Humidity levels of 60% or more are necessary for the growth of Philodendron Burle Marx. It is a Brazilian native and tropical plant and requires a humid, warm environment similar to the tropics. Therefore, the humidity in the air is crucial. Your Philodendron will not flourish without adequate humidity.
If the humidity in your room is too low, there are a few simple ways to increase it.
· Place a humidifier near your Philodendron Burle Marx.
· Spray the plant’s leaves with water. Your Philodendron will benefit from the humidity created as water evaporates. The problem with this approach is that you can’t predict when you’ll need to spray again unless you monitor the relative humidity.
· Try the pebble tray method for some humidity. Take a tray, some pebbles, and some water. Put pebbles at the top of the tray. And fill it with water. The stones mustn’t be buried under too much water. Set the pot with the Philodendron Burle Marx atop the rocks. To avoid root rot, keep the plant pot above the water level.
Fertilizer
Philodendrons require a lot of water and food to thrive. You must use a liquid or slow-release fertilizer. You can also use multipurpose fertilizer. However, it would help if you only utilized half of it. Fertilize your plant once a week when the growing season arrives in summer and spring. In the fall and winter, decrease to once a month.
It doesn’t matter what kind of fertilizer you use; you should always use one rich in nitrogen because it promotes leaf development and coloration.
Before applying fertilizer to your Philodendron Burle Marx, ensure it has received adequate water. There needs to be water in the ground. Applying fertilizer to dry soil might harm their roots.
The Philodendron Burle Marx is a fast grower that requires a lot of food. Its maximum height is two feet. Its width expands to approximately two to four feet. The size of these plants is typically limited.
Potting
Philodendron Burle Max plants must be repotted when their roots grow too crowded in their container. Whenever you feel that there isn’t ample space for the roots to spread out and the plant fails to grow, you must repot it immediately. Make the transfer in spring to ensure proper growth.
Burle Marx’s Philodendron Stages of Propagation
It’s just as simple as propagating a Philodendron as any other plant. Those just starting out should use the tried-and-true approach of stem cuttings in soil. If you’ve used this technique before, you should give air layering a shot.
Stem Cutting Technique
Stem cuttings from a leaf node are a simple method of propagation.
· Take a healthy leaf stem. It must be between 3 and 6 inches long, with at least two nodes. You can observe the nodes near the base of the leaves on vines. The mother plant should have an extended stem cut as close to the root as feasible.
· Put the node into the water-filled container. Use tap water that has settled in the jar after 24 hours to rid the Philodendron Burle Marx of potentially dangerous toxins.
· Place the container where it will get plenty of light.
· The roots will begin to develop after a few weeks. Let the roots expand to at least an inch.
· Firmly but gently place the plant in a container filled with potting soil.
· Once the roots start to grow into the ground, it is important to maintain the soil moist.
Air-Layering Technique
· The plant must first be injured to begin the process of air layering a Burle Marx. A clean, sharp knife is essential for this operation. Use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the knife. Prepare a clean knife and cut the plant’s stem. Cut the plant about 2 inches long and deep.
· When you’ve finished cutting, insert a toothpick into the wound. Put it in place to prevent the wound from healing. Get some water and sphagnum peat moss. Now, apply peat moss to the cut and the surrounding stem. The peat moss will adhere considerably better after you wet it.
· Put some twine around the sphagnum peat moss and stem. A bandage like this will assist in keeping it in place.
· Cover the cut and your plant’s stem with plastic wrap. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Use duct tape if it won’t stay put without your help.
· Prepare a planting container and soil for the new plant while you wait for the roots to expand. Ensure the soil drains adequately by using a pot with holes in the bottom.
· Once the peat moss and wound have been in place for around three weeks, roots will begin to emerge. Once the roots are 3 inches long, you can separate the young plant from the mother. Trim above and beneath the peat moss for best results.
· Take off the plastic wrap now. Take extra precautions to avoid damaging the young roots.
· It’s time to give your new Philodendron some soil and a home. The roots need to be buried so that they have room to grow.
Common Problems
There aren’t many pests that bother Philodendron Burle Marx plants; it is rare. However, occasionally you may discover that some unwanted visitors have made their way to your Philodendron.
Thrips
The thrips are among the most prevalent plant pests that attack Philodendron. These are the little organisms that appear like threads all over your plant. They can fly, but their wings are too frail for them to travel very far. They might float in the air for a second before returning to earth.
Thrips eat the sap of your plant from the inside. They cut through the tough exterior of the plant with their lips to reach the sticky within. Then they take a big gulp of the sap like a soda from a straw. Because sap carries nutrients to your plant, losing it might be detrimental. The most tragic consequence of a thrips infection is the ultimate death of the plant.
Mealy Bugs
Mealybug is the next possible plant pest that might attack your Burle Marx. The appearance of mealybugs is somewhat clumsy. They seem like waxy beetles wrapped in a peculiar cottony substance. A cottony substance safeguards their delicate bodies. As a sign of pest infestation, your plant will have cotton strewn throughout its leaves.
Mealybugs can multiply rapidly, which can be pretty cumbersome when dealing with these pests. Your plant will suffer further as the infestation worsens. Like thrips, they feed on the plant’s sap. It might be challenging to tackle the situation when the infestation gets severe.
Eliminating plant pests doesn’t have to break the bank or endanger your health. Use neem oil on the plant when the infestation persists. Repeat the process every week to see immediate results.
Brown Leaves
Your Philodendron is a hardy plant that thrives in dry conditions. You may be perplexed about the plant’s ailment if you discover the soil isn’t soaked after watering. Salt accumulation in the soil leads to several problems.
The soil gets saltier every time you fertilize your plant. It can overtake the soil if it’s been fed too many times. Your Philodendron Burle Marx could get sick from too much salt in the soil. You can remove the salt in the soil with a simple soil flush once in a while.
Clean the soil by opening the water tap or hose. Make sure the pressure of the water is moderate. Don’t stop watering until the earth has been saturated. Water erodes the salt from the pot, making it easier for you to grow your plant.
Wilting Leaves
Your Philodendron will die if you under or over-water it.
Wilting leaves on your Burle Marx indicate that the plant is being overwatered. On the other hand, if you under-water your plant, it won’t survive. Water is also required for photosynthesis. Therefore, you must strike a balance to avoid either condition.
If you suspect under-watering, you should examine the dirt. There is not enough water for the Philodendron Burle Marx if the soil is dry below a few inches. Get the Philodendron in your house some water straight away before repotting it. Go out and check the soil to ensure the water level is maintained.
Shedding Leaves
Overwatering causes leaf drop in Philodendron Burle Marx. Before you water your plant again, you must first examine the soil.
Put a finger in the soil and check how wet it is. If the first two inches are damp, you are good to go. If not, you must water your plant. Maintain moist soil rather than a soggy one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you expect flowers from a Burle Marx Philodendron?
Houseplants are often grown for their showy foliage. Therefore, it might be challenging to grow flowers. The development of reddish-purple spathes, and modified petal-like leaves, is a rarity.
Is the Burle Marx philodendron poisonous?
According to the National Garden Association, this plant is dangerous for people and animals. Calcium oxalate crystals in the plant can cause severe discomfort in the mouth and make it difficult to swallow. You might experience swelling and vomiting when trying to consume Burle Marx.
Why is the Philodendron poisonous?
Leaves of the Philodendron have a high concentration of calcium oxalate crystals. Invading calcium crystals can weaken your immune system and have far-reaching effects throughout your body.
Bugs have plagued the Burle Marx at my home; what can I do to keep them away?
Regular care for a Philodendron is the best defense against pests. Always remember to dust the plant’s leaves. Dusty, filthy plants are a magnet for plant pests.
In some cases, Philodendron Burle Marx plants have these strange water stains on them; what causes them?
If your Philodendron develops water spots, you use hard water to water it. Change your tactic and use soft water. Leave the water out overnight; you will see a clear difference. The chlorine and other chemicals added to the water supply are neutralized, and your plant restores its original condition.
Final Word
The Philodendron Burle Marx is a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant. It is an excellent way to bring the feel of the tropics into the house, thanks to its ornamental value, high adaptability, and simple propagation techniques. Make sure to give it plenty of water and fertilizer and maintain a comfortable humidity level so it can grow smoothly.
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