Another climbing species from the family of philodendrons, Philodendron Jose Buono is a fun, lush green plant with large leaves and stunning variegation. It is a popular indoor plant that can be easily grown and maintained under room temperature and indoor conditions.
To learn more about the plant, and how you can grow at home, go through the detailed yet easy guide below.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Aroideae
- Genus: Philodendron
About the Genus Philodendron
The name philodendron comes from the Greek language and means “treehugger”, referring to its growth habit which is climbing up on the trees. Most of these plants grow in the form of vines and climb up the surface of the trees nearby. However, this genus is diverse in terms of growth habits. Some of these plants grow as epiphytic plants, some as hemi-epiphytic, and others as terrestrial plants. As of 2015, this large genus consists of about 489 species, making it the second-largest genus in its family. All of the plants in this category are flowering and beautiful. They are, hence, well known as ornamental indoor plants.
In terms of foliage, all philodendrons have thick leaves with a leathery texture to avoid excessive loss of water and moisture from the plant. Apart from all of this, philodendrons also have cultural importance in some areas of the world, are considered to be an indication of luck. Some of the popular plants of this genus are Lemon Lime Philodendron, Philodendron Golden Dragon, and Philodendron Tortum.
Common Names and Synonyms
- Jose Buono Philodendron
- Philodendron Imbe Jose Buono
Origin and Distribution
Philodendron plants are native to Colombia as well as the Caribbean because this is where they were first found in 1644. 30 plants have a natural habitat in the tropical rainforests, riverbanks, and swamps. They are most commonly found in such areas of the West Indies, Australia, Africa, Asia, and America.
Philodendron Jose Buono Features
Foliage and Stem
These plants have large leaves with heavy variegation on them. They grow as long as 1 to 2 inches and have splashes of gold on their green surfaces and have pink stems. These leaves grow on vines that are as thick as 1 inch in diameter. Overall, the plant has a well-developed root system.
Evergreen
Lucky for ornamental plant lovers, the foliage of a Philodendron Jose Buono is evergreen, which means that they stay beautiful throughout the year and can be great as ornamental plants to be displayed.
Height
Philodendron Jose Buono is a tall, climbing plant that is capable of growing as tall as 10 feet. It needs the right conditions to grow as well as a bamboo pole for support.
Temperature Tolerance
The plant does well in warm temperatures and can tolerate quite some fluctuations in the higher end of the thermometer. However, the cold temperature is not its ally. Thus, make sure that you keep it in a warmer spot in the house during the cold weather and winter season.
Humidity Tolerance
In terms of air moisture, Philodendron Jose Buono plants are fairly tolerant. They love humidity and grow to their full potential if they have the right moisture levels in the air.
Drought-resistance
Even though these plants do not need regular watering, they love moisture in the soil as well as in the air around them. Thus, it can be concluded that they will not do well under drought-like, dry, and water-deficient conditions. Hence, it is essential that you keep them well-hydrated and do not put them under stress.
Pressure Tolerance
Because of the tough, leathery leaves, these plants do not die immediately under acute pressure. However, their growth does get affected in the long run if they are under constant external pressure. Thus, make sure that they are growing freely in an open space.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Even though Philodendron Jose Buono plants are fairly tough, they are not entirely resistant to diseases or pest attacks. The most common problems that these plants encounter include leaf spot, aphids, and mealybugs.
To avoid these occurrences, you must keep a regular eye on them. Inspect them regularly during grooming and make sure the plants are dry and clean. In case of such a problem, you can use commercial fungicides and insecticides to get rid of these unwanted visitors.
Growth
According to experts, the growth rate of these plants varies largely based on the soil type and environment that it is growing in. Factors such as temperature and sunlight exposure have a huge impact on how fast this plant will grow.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, Jose Buono Philodendron plants are severely toxic. They contain a poisonous crystal called calcium oxalate. These crystals are irritant for the mouth and the esophagus and can cause severe symptoms in these areas if interested. Symptoms may include swelling of the tongue, the mouth, as well the throat along with the inability to swallow and breathe.
Durability
Since these are perennial plants, they tend to be very durable and can last as long as if given the right care and environment.
Maintenance
Because these plants have a very easy and simple lifestyle, they do not come under the category of high maintenance. They are very easy to maintain and are great for people who don’t have a lot of time on their hands for taking care of their plants. Beginners will also find these plants very easy to grow.
Dormancy
Philodendrons tend to go dormant in the few months of winter. They stop growing and you must not force them to grow during this period. Avoid over-watering, overfeeding, and propagating the plant during this time.
Philodendron Jose Buono Care
Philodendron Jose Buono does not require a lot of water, sunlight, or fertilizer. You can water it after a few days, fertilize it three times a year, and put this plant under low light to grow. The ideal temperature for the plant is 55 to 80 degrees Farenheight.
Water Requirements
Interestingly, even though these plants love water, they don’t need a lot of it. You can water them thoroughly once, and then let them be until the soil dries out. Only when you feel like the top layer has dried out completely, you can water it again. However, these requirements also depend on the time of the year as well as the weather. During the warm, summer months, the plant might need more water than usual.
Prefer using a watering can that has a pointed nozzle so that you can water the plants directly into the soil and no moisture lies around on its surface.
Soil
These plants prefer moist soil that is rich in organic matter. Give it a mossy post or support that is wrapped in burlap for better growing conditions. You can grow in pots or hang them in baskets. If grown outside, they can also be great tree wraps. Just make sure that the soil is well-drained. Avoid using soil textures that are wet or sandy, and make sure that the pH of the soil remains acidic to neutral.
Sunlight Requirements
These plants are somewhat unique in the sense that they can survive under lower levels of light than most indoor plants. You must avoid direct or excessive sunlight on the plant. Not only will this burn their leaves, but it also ruins the variegation on their surface.
Temperature Requirements
The optimum temperature range for these plants is 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They do not do well under extreme winters and excessively low temperatures. Thus, you must bring them inside or move them to a warmer spot during the winter season.
Humidity
While they love moisture in the air around them, they don’t complain under low or moderate humidity levels either. An indoor humidifier will help you monitor the amount of humidity around the plant. However, if you don’t want to do that, you can occasionally mist the plant.
Just make sure that this water does not stay on its surface for too long as it can invite diseases and pests. Quantitatively, they require 50% or higher levels of humidity in the air.
Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilizers are an important part of Philodendron Jose Buono care. Without it, they tend to grow very slowly and barely reach their average size. You can fertilize these philodendrons three times a year if you are using slow-release plant food. When you do, make sure to spread it at a minimum of 6 inches away from the plant’s base. However, do not use cheap or low-quality fertilizers, as they contain unpleasant, heavy salts that might kill your plant in the long term by damaging its roots.
Re-potting
Since these plants take their time with growth, you can repot them every 2 to 3 years or when needed. The easiest way to figure out whether you need to repot a plant is to look at its drainage holes. If you see the roots coming out of there, it means that the plant has outgrown its current container and you need to repot and shift it into a larger one.
Grooming and Mulching
You can mulch Philodendron Jose Buono if you want to store it. Place the plant in a pot and hold upright by mulching it. This will bring nutrients to the plant while it is being stored, and also make sure that it stays alive for as long as you need to figure out where you want to plant this philodendron permanently.
Pruning
You only need to trim this plant once every year, or when you feel like they need it.
Cultivation and Propagation
The best time to propagate Philodendron Jose Buono plants is from the early to the late summer. In these warm conditions, take some stem cuttings from the plant, grow them in a pot with appropriate soil texture. Another way to propagate this plant is by using its seeds. The steps to both types of propagation have been given below:
- Remove the seeds from the berry growing on the plant. Wash it thoroughly and dry it.
- Prepare a pot with suitable soil in it, dig a small hole with your finger, and place the seed in it.
- Put the pot under warm, well-lit conditions, and water it frequently.
- In the case of stem cuttings, carefully cut a few pieces of the stem with a sharp, clean blade or knife. These cuttings should be at least 2 to 3 inches long.
- You can propagate them in water or soil.
- Simply put a cutting in a jar full of water, and leave an old or two submerged inside. Let a couple of leaves stay free and out of the water.
- You can change the water every couple of days.
- In case of soil propagation, simply place the cutting in the pot prepared with suitable soil, and let it grow under optimal conditions.
- Water it as appropriate and shift it to a bigger pot when you see roots developing.
Timeline
Day 1-7: Place the cutting or seed in the chosen medium and let it grow under optimal conditions.
Week 2-3: You will be able to see roots developing nicely.
Month 2-4: At this point, you can move the plant to a bigger pot filled with soil and treat it as a mature Philodendron.
Displaying Philodendron Jose Buono Plant
As mentioned earlier, these plants are great to be grown in pots, hanging baskets, and around trees. The former two can be opted for in an indoor setting. With its large statement leaves, you can put it in literally any corner of a plain room to bring color and aesthetic to it.
Philodendron Jose Buono for Sale
Before you purchase a Philodendron Jose Buono for sale and bring it home, you must make sure that it is free of any diseases and bugs. Look around the leaves and stems. Check for leaf spots, patches, and irregular growth. Because of the variegation, it may be hard to spot any surface irregularities, especially in terms of color. Thus, you need to have a keen eye for any abnormalities in the plant.
Also, ask the plant owner for the age of the plant to make sure that you are comfortable with it. Baby plants require more attention and time, while mature plants are easier to maintain. Thus, the choice is yours. You can choose as per your liking.
Final Thoughts
Philodendron Imbe Jose Buono is a beautiful statement plant with big, variegated leaves. They are easy to grow and maintain in a regular indoor environment. You don’t have to worry about their grooming and pruning. However, they are toxic so make sure that they are not ingested by your pets or children.
