Strawberry Shake Plant Care

Philodendron erubescens or better known as philodendron strawberry shake plants, are a rare plant species that can bring a unique change to your home garden.

The rare and expensive plant has variegated colors on its leaves and a red stem, giving it the name of strawberry shake plant.

One can easily have a philodendron strawberry shake plant standing upright in between the other houseplants by using the proper techniques and ensuring that it does not find itself in a harmful situation.

Here is all you need to know about strawberry shake philodendron care, how to propagate it from its stem cuttings, and protect it against pest attacks.

Strawberry Shake Philodendron: Origin

Mysterious origins can be found in the hybrid botanically classified as Philodendron Strawberry Shake.

It really is indigenous to the jungles in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and therefore is thought to have evolved from Philodendron erubescens.

This Philodendron plant is thought to belong to the multicolored variety of a Philodendron Red Emerald.

However, in another theory, this plant was first identified in Ecuador throughout the 1990s. This philodendron strawberry shake is found naturally in a combination of the species Philodendron erubescens. It is an uncommon and pricey potted plant.

How To Propagate A Philodendron strawberry shake?

Take fresh stem cutting first. Pick a robust branch containing two to three leaves and then a minimum of one node. Without the node, a plant cannot effectively proliferate.

The clipping can either be rooted in freshwater or planted firmly in the ground.

Put your cutting inside a water-filled jar to start a plant in freshwater. Ascertain that the node remains underwater. Likewise, remove all leaves that fall in the water. Every one to two weeks, replace the water.

Put the clipping in a small container, including well-draining soil mix, to grow it in the ground. Submerge its node in the ground. After that, hydrate the topsoil to retain dampness.

When Will The Cutting Grow?

The clippings won’t start to sprout for roughly three to six weeks. Once the base of the philodendron strawberry shake grows two inches long or more, clippings that were cultivated in freshwater can be transplanted into soil.

In case one potted the cuttings straight into the soil, one shouldn’t need to transplant anything.

Once your philodendron strawberry shake grows, the next step is to learn how to manage it.

Philodendron strawberry shake care is not that extensive; a few things must be kept in mind during the growing season.

How To Care For Philodendron Strawberry Shake Plants?

Below are all the factors that you need to take care of while handling a philodendron strawberry shake plant.

Watering A Philodendron Strawberry Shake

In the tropical forests, strawberry shake Philodendron adapted to anticipate precipitation every second day in the springtime, midsummer, and autumn, with drier conditions in the wintertime.

Use of Drip Irrigation

While strawberry shake plants drip irrigation ought to be done on a rigid timetable, philodendron irrigation must adhere to a similar schedule.

As an alternative, only water after the top two inches of soil is dried out. Every so often days, examine the moisture levels to determine how much water it needs.

Use of Lukewarm water

Pour lukewarm water over the soil’s top gradually to allow it to soak instead of rushing away.

Never permit the water to collect in the bottom of the pot since the root cannot tolerate moist soil.

Optimum Temperature For A Strawberry Shake Philodendron

The ideal temperature range for the Strawberry Shake Philodendron is 55 – 80 °F. Due to this, maintaining these plants in indoor spaces like houses and workplaces is simple.

As people feel really comfortable in this spectrum, typical buildings have thermostats around 65 and 75 °F.

As a result, no thermostat adjustments need to be made.

Being a tropical climbing plant, growing Strawberry Shake philodendron plants can withstand hotter weather without any problems. They can survive in temperatures as high as 95 °F.

Why is Above 100°F dangerous?

Try and stay below 100 °F, though, because the Strawberry shake plant can quickly dry up or become parched in such an environment. It is, therefore, more vulnerable to thermal stress as a result.

Is the philodendron strawberry shake hardy to zones with a temperature lower than 50 °F?

A Strawberry Shake philodendron plant, on the contrary side, has quite a low threshold for chilly temperatures.

A strawberry shake philodendron would underperform at conditions below 50 ℉. Its development is going to be sluggish.

Unfortunately, therefore more issues this one will run into the longer it remains in one place. Exact same thing appears to be true whenever the temperature drops.

Is Temperature A Reason For Stunted growth?

The strawberry shake philodendron’s development may even be entirely stunted. Eventually, one might notice the leaf’s yellowing or dropping. It could also die soon from coldness, completely.

It is really crucial to bring your plant back inside once when winter weather arrives, mainly in the middle of October.

Can The Strawberry shake philodendron survive cold temperatures?

This strawberry shake philodendron plant won’t survive the cold season if you keep it outside and won’t bloom in the springtime. Bring it inside in a warmer location, preferably.

In comparison, one may cultivate strawberry shake philodendron outside year-round provided they reside within USDA Hardiness Regions 9 through 11.

One can either grow it within the lawn or maintain it within a pot. This is due to the no wintertime in such locations.

Rather, residents get pleasant, mild temperatures that would be bright throughout the year. Bring strawberry shake philodendron inside in a warmer location, preferably.

Humidity

Strawberry Shake Philodendron flourishes under environments with 60–70% humidity levels or higher. It’s going to be the healthiest and most potent in this environment.

Then you’ll get higher yields, more enormous fronds, and many bold colors as a result.

It’s crucial to note, though, that perhaps the plant can handle low moisture levels with no problems or injury. However, if it is feasible, we definitely advise attempting to have the dampness around 40% or higher.

Despite its ability to handle a little less than that, your likelihood to see brown, crunchy tops and corners on the leaves increases the further they get on to 30% or less dampness.

These indicate that the atmosphere requires additional moisture.

Consequently, you must either relocate the strawberry shake philodendron into a more hot environment or you must support the strawberry shake philodendron by raising the moisture content close.

Ways to raise Humidity

The most straightforward way to accomplish this would be to spritz the strawberry shake philodendron or transport it into the restroom because it is a moist space in the house.

Using a humidity tray would be a favorable choice. Another solution could be a pebble tray as well. On the other hand, you could also spend money on a humidifier.

Which fresh soil would be feasible for strawberry shake philodendron?

Since this plant won’t accept remaining waterlogged soil, Philodendron strawberry shake soil needs to be able to both hold onto water and remove water surplus.

pH Range

A pH range between 5 and 7, meaning acid to normal, is just what the Philodendron strawberry shake can tolerate.

How To Create A Potting soil for Philodendron strawberry shake?

One may create a customized soil mixture using 40% of orchids wood, 30% of the gardening mix, 20% of peat moss, and 10% of perlite.

The simplest solution is to utilize only peat moss for growing medium.

Which Light Is Suitable For the Philodendron strawberry shake plant?

Medium-level indirect sunlight is ideal for Philodendron Strawberry Shake.

This indicates that a space receives a lot of ambient light, but the plant is not directly exposed to the sun.

The topsoil would dry up too fast from direct sunlight, and also the foliage risk being burned.

Impact of bright indirect light?

Low light has an impact on how the Philodendron Strawberry Shake appears; however it is not as harmful to the wellness of the plant.

This plant will swiftly produce a large number of new foliage in low lighting conditions; however, they will be considerably shorter than usual.

Less light Generates Chlorophyll

Less light makes the plant generate extra chlorophyll, which results in a greater number of green leaves necessary during photosynthesis to supply sufficient food.

How To Protect Strawberry Shake Philodendron Against Root Rot?

To fight root rot, one needs to understand the reason for root rot. So, what is root rot, and how it occurs in plants?

What is Root Rot?

The plants and their roots require room to develop and widen their root system. The plant becomes root-bound when the pots are too tiny for the roots.

It is challenging to determine which could be the actual cause because the results of the root-bound problem and the watering issue are the same.

But as the roots deteriorate and encroach on one another, the entire root system is affected, much like a sickness.

The water is not absorbed in the root system, which causes the leaves to turn limp and yellow.

A warning sign of root rot is seeing roots poking out of the container’s drainage holes. If roots are protruding, the issue becomes much worse. A plant that is entrapped by its roots can only be released through transportation.

How To Repot A Strawberry shake philodendron?

The plant needs a new pot every two years. It advances slowly. Let’s say it’s in a pot that’s too small right now.

Change to a pot that is deeper but narrower. It is better to purchase wide pots because deeper pots are less prone to cause root rot than shallow ones.

To avoid transplantation shock, gently shake your plant out of its original pot before repotting it. Touch it dry to avoid damaging any of the root tissues.

You intend to cut some roots, but proceed with caution. If the roots are damaged while being handled rather than being chopped with a sharp knife, it could encourage rot.

Once it is completely clean, cut away the outside and additional tangled roots with a sharp blade or pair of gardening shears before planting it in the new pot with well-drained soil.

Note

The plant needs water and liquid fertilizer afterward. Also, remember to use fresh potting soil.

Pest Infestations in Philodendron Strawberry Shake And How To Get Rid of Them?

A pest infestation, particularly the Fungi gnat attack, is one of the serious issues caused by overwatering, overfertilization, and root binding. The overly-wet soil is ideal for the gnats, who feed on the rotting roots.

The do-it-yourself remedy to this problem is to keep the top two inches of soil dry and spray the plant with diluted hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the bothersome gnats.

Spider mites on strawberry shake philodendron

Spider mites are another prevalent pest; they dry up your plant by feeding on the sap.

To address the issue with spider mites, take your plant outside and water it. By doing this, you will eliminate the pests that consume the sap’s liquids. Spray neem oil or alcohol next to the plant, so the spider mites do not return.

Neem oil and alcohol both work as pest repellents. Additionally, prune any broken leaves to encourage the growth of new ones.

Mealybugs on Strawberry shake plant

On the strawberry shake philodendron leaves, mealybugs, and tiny white bugs that thrive on indoor plants in hot, humid regions, produce streaks of white powder all over.

They also place their eggs close to the foliage and where the branches meet the stem. These little creatures eat the sap from the leaves.

The leaves may develop malformations and begin to fade, wilt, and die away if the invasion is severe. Young, delicate leaves are typically preferred, which retards the plant’s growth.

Mealybugs are a specific species of scale bug from the Pseudococcidae genus that lacks armor. These pests have a one-month lifespan, yet they are notoriously difficult to eliminate.

Mealybugs will push themselves and their clutches into any accessible crack, preferring to hide mainly around the base of foliage.

Some microorganisms make it even harder to recognize them by blending in with the bases and the soil of the pots. Usually, a solitary mealybug or even an ant trail is the first obvious indicator.

Mealybugs appear like little cotton puffs because of the powdery, oily covering that lends them their name.

Mealybugs like warm conditions and pose a particular threat to tropical house plants in USA hardiness zones above 9.

The worst thing is that adult female Mealybugs can lay up to 500 eggs in a single batch, allowing them to multiply quickly before your eyes.

How To Get Rid of Mealybugs?

To get rid of mealybugs, thoroughly wash the strawberry shake philodendrons with the solution of alcohol and water, and also use insecticidal soap.

The insecticidal soap would ensure that no eggs remain on the strawberry shake leaves.

Brown leaf tips of Strawberry shake philodendron plants

Fertilizer applications that are either excessive or insufficient might result in the browning of the tips of the plants.

The ratio of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium is typically neglected by plant owners in favor of trace nutrients.

Slow-release fertilizer granules with a nutrient proportion of 15-5-10 are the ideal fertilizer for strawberry shake plants.

Similar to any other living organism, a strawberry shake philodendron will display external signs of malnutrition. The fronds may become brown, yellow, and dehydrated as a result.

However, feeding your plant too much can cause a chemical burn. This symptom may be familiar to you, but you can usually tell the difference since burning gives the plant’s fronds sharp edges.

How To Overcome This?

Instead of overfertilizing and harming your plant’s fronds during the growth stage, it is best to fertilize with a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer and spray it every month.

Consequences of Underwatering A Philodendron Strawberry shake plant

The problem that causes the leaves to become limp and yellow most frequently occurs when the plant is not given adequate water.

Philodendron strawberry shake plants require water to survive even if, as was already noted, they are drought-resistant.

Although it doesn’t like being submerged, the philodendron strawberry shake plant can survive in small amounts of water.

When the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch, it would be beneficial to water your Strawberry shake plant.

Every few days, be sure to check the soil’s moisture content. If the topsoil feels dry, moisten it with water, but try to keep the ground from becoming soggy.

You may be perplexed as to why your soil keeps drying out. Well, there are a number of causes for the ground to dry.

For instance, the plant’s containers may be porous, the warm temperatures may promote evaporation, or the plant may get root bound as it grows, leaving no room for the roots to spread out inside the soil.

The cyclical change from winter to spring is another problem that could result in underwatering. Naturally, the amount of water provided to the plant must increase as the temperature rises.

How To Revive The Yellowing leaves of Underwatered Strawberry shake philodendron?

Underwatering is easy to understand. Other symptoms include droopiness, drooping foliage, and a pot that appears to be empty due to a lack of water.

If the plant’s leaves have gotten limp and then yellow owing to underwatering, they will rehydrate with a timely supply of water.

Give them water and check back in a few hours to see if they have improved.

Try to create a recurrent watering reminder on your phone. Any progress should be apparent, no matter how small.

FAQs

How can I tell whether a Philodendron is a strawberry shake?

A philodendron strawberry shake features broad, trapezoidal to elliptical leaves that are speckled with hues of creamy, red, tangerine, pinkish, and emerald. It develops like a creeping plant.

How do I maintain my Philodendron strawberry shake?

The Philodendron strawberry shake has to be cultivated in a sunny location out of strong sunlight, in humid, hot conditions, plus routine hydration.

How else can Philodendron strawberry shake be grown inside?

As just a potted plant, a Philodendron strawberry shake could be maintained in a moist climate with typical indoor conditions in a spot with plenty of strong yet indirect light.

How is a philodendron strawberry shake grown outside?

In regions 9b through 11, a Philodendron strawberry shake could be cultivated outside all year.

The Philodendron strawberry shake grows how quickly?

Within the growing season, a Philodendron strawberry shake grows at a medium to rapid rate, gaining around a foot annually. It requires 3 years before it grows to a full length.

The Philodendron strawberry shake grows to what height?

Typically cultivated inside a container, a Philodendron strawberry shake normally grows to just a three-foot height. However, as a tropical plant, this could grow to a height of over six feet.

Conclusion

The Philodendron strawberry shake is a sight to behold with its bright red stems. The hybrid plant is a unique species that need medium indirect light, a potting mix with nutrients and humidity required for all tropical plant outdoors to grow into a beautiful plant.

Plant lovers must adhere to the information provided above to care for this plant so that the philodendron plants do not wilt and die.