Philodendron Camposportoanum is a charismatic houseplant from the Araceae family that is well-liked for its dark-green, attractive leaves. This is an excellent office plant that changes the shape and texture of its leaves as it grows from a little Phil to a mature Philodendron. It has small, dark-green, velvety leaves in its juvenile years that change to sleek and glossy heart-shaped as it matures. One of the remarkable features of this houseplant is that some of its leaves switch to three-lobed leaves. The same plant can have 2-3 differently-shaped leaves due to this unique quality. This mini plant can be grown in terrariums, offices, bedrooms, and living rooms for decorative purposes, where it can single-handedly adorn the whole space with its enchanting foliage.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Aroideae
- Genus: Philodendron
About the Genus Philodendron
Philodendron is a genus of flowering plants, including 489 species, many of which are still not defined completely. It is the 2nd largest genus of the Araceae family that is widely grown as ornamental houseplants. The beautiful plants of this genus were initially mass-planted in the 1800s by the Europeans. Soon after their fame, these Phils began to be grown worldwide.
Origin and Distribution
Philodendron camposportoanum was originally spotted in Central and South America, and it is primarily found in the western forests of Brazil. These amazing plants are also found in Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, and Guiana.
Philodendron Camposportoanum Features
Foliage and Stem
The appealing foliage of this Philodendron lets it stand out in a collection of other houseplants. The shapes of its leaves keep changing as the plant grows. The baby Phil has mini sagittate leaves. These leaves have a velvety texture. Their dark-green shade fades as they mature; the lobes turn deep and pointy. The small, rounded leaves become more like around the heart. Some of the leaves are tri-lobed. The mature leaves are smooth and green. Under the bright sun, the glossy green leaves exhibit colors of tint pink. The stem is slender and herbaceous.
Evergreen
Philodendron camposportoanum is an evergreen plant that does not shed its complete foliage in any season. It only shed its leaves when they are old enough and dried out completely.
Height
This mini plant has a mature height of a foot and a half. This small-sized Phil can be placed in any corner of your house. It can attain a maximum height of 3 feet if cared for properly and grown under ideal conditions. Philodendron camposportoanum can also climb over a pole or some support.
Temperature Tolerance
This perennial plant is not frost hardy; it cannot tolerate temperatures that are below the average room temperature. In winters, you need to provide a warm environment to this tender Philodendron. Higher temperatures are also a big NO for this plant.
Humidity Tolerance
Philodendron camposportoanum is a tropical plant that loves highly humid environments. Average humidity levels will not harm the plant but, high humidity will do magic on the leaves and keep them extra glossy and extra green. Mist your plant frequently to fulfill its tropical needs.
You can regulate your indoor humidity levels by placing your plant in a pebble tray. The increased evaporation rate will provide the necessary humidity to the plant. If you live in a warmer climate with dry days, you can also install a humidifier inside your walls.
Drought Resistance
Philodendron camposportoanum is quite a drought-resistant plant that can survive short periods of water unavailability. However, this tropical plant must not be left to die of thirst.
Pressure Tolerance
These herbaceous plants are sleek and tender. They are not capable of withstanding extra external pressure. Keep your Phil at some distance from your other big plants, so it does not have to fight for humidity and sunlight.
Disease and Pest Resistance
It is normal for plants to attract pests and insects. This pretty plant is not prone to disease, but it is not much resistant to pests. The real trick is how you get rid of them before they destroy your plant. Spider mites and mealybugs are two common pests that attack a Philodendron camposportoanum.
Spider mites are spider-like insects that harm a Phil by drinking up sap from its stem. The sap is the fluid of the plant that contains essential nutrients and minerals. With spider mites consuming most of it, your plant will not grow properly. Mist your plant often to get rid of these mites, as spritzing will wash them off.
Other pests that attack these are mealy bugs. These bugs also feed off the sap from the stem and roots; the plant ends up having stunted growth. Getting rid of these bugs is super easy. Just mist your plant by mixing a little amount of neem oil in water. And that’s it; your plant will be free of sucking bugs.
Growth
Philodendron camposportoanum is a fast-growing aroid that takes one growing season to grow one meter long. It attains its mature height in just a matter of some weeks. At a normal growth rate, it grows half a meter wide and about 1 meter long.
Toxicity
Although all-pretty and all-gorgeous, these Phils are quite toxic for pets and humans. Your nibbling pets and toddlers need to be kept away from this charming houseplant as ingesting the leaves of Philodendron camposportoanum can induce diarrhea and vomiting.
Durability
Philodendrons are pretty durable plants that stay fresh and green for more than five years. This beaut, Philodendron camposportoanum, has a lifespan of several years.
Maintenance
There is no long, stretched list for the maintenance of this Philodendron. Just a couple of care tips do the trick. This gorgeous Phil is a low-maintenance houseplant that pretty much grows on its own.
Dormancy
Just like every other Phil, Philodendron camposportoanum goes dormant in winters. Its growth begins in the next growing season, in early spring. During dormancy, this plant does not need to be fed or watered frequently.
Philodendron Camposportoanum Care
Caring for a Philodendron Camposportoanum includes placing it in bright but indirect sunlight. It needs to be watered regularly and misted frequently. It should be grown in a slightly acidic to neutral soil of pH 5.0-7.0. The ideal USDA growth zones are 9-10.
Water Requirements
This tropical plant from the genus Philodendron requires a little more watering frequency than its other fellow species from the same genus. It needs to be watered regularly. Do not wait for the upper 4-5 inches of its topsoil to dry before watering it. Just touch the upper surface gently; if it is dry, water your Phil.
Although it loves to be watered, overwatering your Philodendron might actually kill it! Watering the plant more than it needs will leave the plant standing in water; the roots will always be damp, and the plant will get root rot.
Sunlight
Being a tropical plant, this pretty climber prefers to be placed in a well-lit corner. It grows best in bright but indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight is harmful to its foliage. Too much sun can burn its strikingly beautiful leaves.
Soil requirements
Well-drained soil is ideal for the proper growth of this Philodendron. Well-drainage is necessary for healthy aeration of the soil. Aerated soils do not let excess water stand into the soil and drain it away through the drainage holes. This way, the roots of this plant are safe from root rot.
The perfect potting mix for this Philodendron is a porous mix. The soil has to be slightly acidic to mildly neutral. The optimum pH range for its proper growth is 5.0-7.0.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature ranges from 16°C to 24°C. This is an average room temperature in tropical regions. However, if you live in temperate regions, do not let the temperature of your indoors fall below 13°C in winters. Try to regulate your indoor room temperature according to your Philo’s needs.
Humidity
70% or above humidity is best for the lush growth of Philodendron camposportoanum. You can regulate this level by misting the plant from time to time.
Fertilizer
Philodendrons are fast-growers, thus they need to be fed with necessary nutrients every month. Slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer is best for the proper growth of this plant. Make sure that your fertilizer is not too high on nutrient content; otherwise, you will end up burning your plant.
Monthly feeding does fine, but do not feed this plant in winters as it is mostly dormant.
Grooming and Pruning
Every plant asks for pruning before the growing season. Prune and cut out the dried, old leaves off your Philo at the beginning of spring. Yearly pruning makes way for new, fresh leaves, and it is necessary for the grooming of the plant.
Re-potting
As Philodendrons are fast-growers, they need to be re-potted every year. When you notice the roots growing out of the drainage holes, re-pot your plant straight away. Always re-pot your plant in a pot that is about 3 inches larger than the previous one.
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Propagation
Making your own collection of these charming houseplants is not so much difficult. You just have to propagate it through its stem cuttings or by air layering method.
Final Thoughts
Every indoor needs a gorgeous Philodendron to green up its rooms. Philodendron camposportoanum is a perfect ornamental houseplant for those who prefer low-maintenance and compact plants. This alluring beauty has velvety leaves with a smooth texture that exhibits a pink tint when placed in bright sunlight. There is no corner in your home or your office that this mini-plant cannot adorn beautifully.
