Philodendron firebird is a vining plant that is a hybrid of the Araceae family. It grows at a slow pace. But once it matures, you will love its final matured form. Plus, you are going to love yourself for getting this amazing plant. The leaves form a closely packed space and a bushier appearance. Its yellow, cream, and orange-colored leaves cast a spell on the spectators. It is a very low-maintenance plant, so it requires very little care.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Aroideae
- Genus: Philodendron
Origin and Distribution
Firstly it was discovered in Columbia, the Caribbean, and Venezuela. It is also found in Asia, America, and the West Indies.
It grows in humid places, for example, humid tropical rainforests.
Appearance
Foliage
The leaves at the margins give a wine-red appearance. It gives the leaves a very glossy look. Over time they start changing their color to dark green. Sometimes these appear to be a yellow, orange, and cream color. These colors give the plant a flaming look.
Flowering
It is a flowering plant. Once the Philodendron Firebird matures, it starts flowering. But it does not bloom indoors.
Size
Normally, the Philodendron Firebird grows up to 40 cm.
Philodendron Firebird Care
Water your plant regularly once a week. Avoid too much watering. It is not favorable, and you might end up damaging your plant entirely. Avoid too much sunlight. Try to provide your plant with indirect sunlight that is more beneficial. The soil of your plant’s pot should not be very soggy but only a little damp. The temperature should not be too cold. The ideal humidity for the plant is 60-70%. Fertilize your plant monthly during summer and spring with the macronutrients. For better growth, prune it every year before summer and spring.
Quick guide
| Watering | Once every week in the growing season |
| Soil type | Slightly damp, well-draining soil |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sun |
| Temperature | 65-70° F at night, 75-85° at day |
| Humidity | 60-70% |
| Fertilizer | Liquid foliage fertilizer |
| Pruning | Once every year before the growing season |
Watering
Before watering the Philodendron Firebird, you should know some basic points. It grows best in moist soil. But it should not be watered very often. Avoid watering it a lot. Providing your plant with too much moisture will affect its growth, and the growth rate may also decrease. Therefore, it is best to water it a little every week to have the best results. But during the growing season, you may water its leaves twice a week. It could be favorable for the plant’s growth during the spring and summer. Overwatering your plant is not favorable for its growth, and in the end, you might end up harming it.
Soil type
The soil should be kept damp. Too much soggy soil is not good for your plant’s growth.
It can have negative effects on growth, and as a result, the growth rate could be stopped.
If you want the best for your plant, just keep the soil a little damp. And then wait to watch its magical effects. Soil should be rich in organic matter. This kind of soil is all that your plant needs.
Sunlight
Too much sunlight is not good for your plant. A straight-up position in front of the sun is not recommended. So rather than keeping your plant directly in the sun, you should provide it with indirect sunlight. Just keep your plants under some canopy or roof where the sunlight does not reach them directly. It is going to favor its length a lot. Too little sunlight will also harm your plant because it affects leaf growth and causes long stems growth. So try to provide it with moderate sunlight, and then your plant will grow best.
Temperature
Because this plant needs very little sunlight for growth, it cannot survive a very high temperature. So, you should keep the temperature in check for your plants’ growth. The recommended temperature for Philodendron Firebirds during the night is 60-70°F, and during the day, it is 75-85°F. Too many harsh summers are also not good for the plant’s growth. The ideal temperature is between 60-85°F. They also cannot tolerate cold and chilly nights. And some might not be able to survive the harsh weather conditions.
Fertilizer
To increase the plant’s growth, you have to provide it with the basic nutrients. These nutrients can be given to your Philodendron Firebird through a liquid foliar fertilizer. His fertilizer contains all the essential macronutrients required for your plant’s growth. It will speed up its growth rate. A plant also grows best if you provide it with a good fertilizer. So adding fertilizer to the soil will provide the plant with all the nutrients needed for its maximum growth. During the growth season, like summer and winter, you should fertilize the plant monthly. While in the rest of the year, you can add the fertilizer every six to eight months.
Humidity
If you live in a dry climate, you should provide your plant with high humidity. Its humidity needs are the same as those of Philodendron Birkin. This plant requires up to 60-70% humidity. Even if the humidity level is about 40%, the plant can survive. It will not have any negative effects on the plant’s growth. And the plant will continue to grow normally. But if the humidity decreases, the growth rate might also decrease. They are tropical. So they need a more humid environment than other plants for their maximum growth.
Pruning
You should cut the dead leaves before every growing season. Before every growing season, you have to repeat this process. So the plant can renew its ends. You should trim the tips because it will help your plant grow faster. During summer and spring, they grow maximally. So doing this pruning before each summer and spring will be beneficial. Pruning removes dead leaves. So, this will make room for new leaves. So the plant will be all green again. This process will increase plants growth as a whole.
How to Propagate Philodendron Firebird
Before propagation, you have to make sure the season should be the growing season for the plants. It is recommended to do propagation in summer or spring.
- Take a knife and sterilize it. You can use rubbing alcohol or burning flame for sterilization.
- Using this knife, take a cutting from newly matured plant, rather than an old one.
- Cut it from the node, where a leaf attaches to the stem.
- Ensure you are not disturbing the plant’s original shape while doing all this.
- You can plant this cutting in water or sphagnum moss.
- It will form roots in less than a month.
- Once roots are formed, move the stem cutting to a proper pot.
- If you want to increase its growth rate, you should provide it with the best conditions.
Its growth depends upon the presence of all the essentials. If you are providing it with everything that it needs, of course, it will grow best. In the presence of all essentials, see how it magically turns into a fully grown new plant.
Philodendron Firebird Basic Features
Growth
The growth rate is a bit low. So it will grow slowly into a fully matured plant with a bushy appearance. The overall foliage is very closely packed. It contains many leaves, so there is little space between them. Half inch distance is present between each node. The growth pattern is such that it turns the plant into a very unique one.
Toxicity
These beautiful plants are toxic to humans as well as to animals.
Drought intolerance
They need to be watered once every week. Moreover, these can survive drought conditions if not provided with water. They can tolerate droughts and other harsh conditions.
Maintenance
These firebird Philodendrons are not high maintenance. These are very easy-going plants that require very little care and less attention. Watering once a week and providing them with fertilizer only once a month is all they need from you.
Dormancy
They enter their dormant or resting state in harsh winters. When they cannot grow further in the chilly weather any longer. It means their growth ceases during this time of the year. This dormancy continues until the weather conditions again become favorable for them.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Diseases
This plant can be at risk of getting diseases if not cared for properly. Due to magnesium deficiency, it could form yellow spots all over the leaves. Due to excessive watering, large green patches form all over the leaves. Or it could get a cold injury in severe cool temperatures. To avoid any inconvenience, try to take proper care.
Pests
Mostly they remain pest-free. But these might be attacked by some insects and mites. You have to take their proper care in these conditions. These pests might destroy your plant completely. It may no longer be able to survive. Therefore, you should take precautionary steps beforehand to avoid these pests. So, if any part of your plant gets infested by pests, remove that part quickly. It will help to avoid further inconvenience.
Philodendron Firebird Plant: FAQs
It is because of magnesium deficiency. To avoid these yellow spots, you have to provide it with a proper magnesium supply. You can give it directly to your plant. Provide your plant with one teaspoon of magnesium sulfate.
An unhealthy plant indicates that you have been watering your plant irregularly. Rather than watering it every day, water it once a week only.
It is due to the poor conditions that you are providing it. Too much dry soil and watering it not properly causes the plant to turn brown. Try to keep the soil damp and water it properly.
Once you start giving your plant its essentials, the growth will get back to normal. This way, the green leaves will start to grow. You may now remove the dead old yellow leaves. It will also make room for new leaves.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a unique, low-maintenance plant, Philodendron Firebird is one of the best options for you. This plant does not take much time and attention to grow. Its exotic appearance makes everybody fall in love with it. The bushy foliage is very impressive. Overall, it is the best option for anybody searching for a perfect medium-sized indoor plant.
Have a look at our Philodendron Lynamii article next.
