9 Philodendron Care Mistakes to Avoid This Year

Philodendrons are some of the most popular houseplants available, in part thanks to their easy care requirements. However, that doesn’t mean they remain happy through every care mistake. Join farmer and houseplant lover Briana Yablonski to learn some common philodendron care mistakes to avoid.

Written by Briana Yablonski Last updated: December 27, 2024 | 6 min read

The Philodendron Birkin shows damaged yellow-brown leaves with dry tips and stressed stems, a result of philodendron care mistakes.

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If you’ve spent any amount of time in the houseplant world, you’ve likely heard of philodendrons. This large group of houseplants includes everything from trailing green vines found on the heartleaf philodendron to the colorful leaves of the pink princess philodendron. So, you can find one for every type of space.

Although philodendrons have a reputation for being easy to care for, even experienced houseplant growers can harm them by providing the wrong environment or care. Too much water? Watch out for rotten roots and yellow leaves. Not enough light? Be ready for stunted growth.

If you want to keep your philodendron happy this year, make sure to avoid these common care mistakes.

Using a Container Without Drainage Holes

A woman in a white T-shirt and brown apron holds a black plastic flowerpot with drainage holes above a table with a golden watering can, a large white pot, and seedlings of an indoor plant with large, glossy, lobed leaves ready for transplanting. — Always ensure drainage to prevent excess moisture in containers.

Since philodendrons are sensitive to low temperatures, most people grow them as houseplants. Placing these tropical species in containers allows you to easily move them between the outdoors and indoors, all while keeping your home free from messy soil. However, choosing the proper pot is key to growing a healthy philodendron.

Philodendrons require pots with drainage holes that allow excess water to escape. Without these holes, water collects in the bottom of the pot. This excess moisture can lead to issues like root rot and prevent them from completing appropriate gas exchange and nutrient uptake.

So, before transplanting your philodendron into that beautiful pot you found online, ensure it has drainage holes. You can always try drilling holes, but if this fails, choose another pot.

If you’re using a catch dish to collect extra water that flows out from the bottom of the container, you should also pay attention to the moisture levels. There’s no harm in using one of these dishes as long as you remove the excess water within an hour of watering. If your potted plant sits in the water-filled dish, the soil will remain moist until the water dries.

Planting in Poorly-Draining Potting Soil

Close up of gardener's hands in orange and black gloves holding a handful of freshly prepared soil made from peat, earth, sand, perlite, vermiculite and coconut over a black plastic tray full of potting mix. — Choose potting soil that drains well to avoid root rot.

Well-draining potting soil is another key part of keeping your philodendron’s roots happy. Using a soil mix with poor drainage will cause the soil to remain moist. This can lead to rotten roots, problems with nutrient and water uptake, and inadequate gas exchange.

Although philodendrons can grow outdoors in native soil, you shouldn’t use soil for potted plants. This soil often becomes compacted and causes issues.

Instead, you should use a well-draining potting mix designed for houseplants. These mixes often contain peat moss or coco coir to hold moisture, but they also include materials like perlite and pine bark to increase drainage. If your mix isn’t draining well, add extra perlite to improve texture.

Overwatering

Close-up of a woman watering a stunning potted plant with broad, glossy leaves in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and green on sturdy, upright stems from a green plastic watering can in the living room. — Adjust watering frequency based on available moisture, not a schedule.

Even if you’re using a pot with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix, it’s still possible to overwater. Although moisture needs vary between philodendron species and varieties, most of them prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Unfortunately, many plant lovers keep the dirt constantly moist for fear of the pot drying out.

In most cases, you should water once every week or two. However, factors like temperature, light, humidity, and soil type all impact how often you should water. That means you shouldn’t use a set schedule to determine when to grab the watering can.

Instead, inspect the soil moisture and go from there. One easy way to check the moisture is to stick a finger a couple of inches into the soil near the middle of the pot. If the top two inches are dry, water your plant. However, if the top two inches still feel wet, wait to water. You can also use a moisture meter and irrigate when it reads slightly dry.

When you water, thoroughly soak the soil until you see water flow out the pot’s drainage holes. This ensures the roots have access to moisture between the times you irrigate.

Placing in Bright, Direct Light

On a sunny windowsill among potted plants stands a large decorative flowerpot with a lush tropical plant featuring striking green leaves with white variegation and smooth, glossy surfaces. — Bright, indirect light is best for healthy plant growth.

Although philodendrons like light, they don’t thrive in direct sun. If you notice your plant is casting a shadow, it’s probably receiving too harsh of light. This direct light can burn the plant’s leaves and lead to white or brown splotches.

A better option is to place your plant in a spot that receives bright yet indirect light. Think of locations like the interior of a brightly lit room, a few feet away from an east-facing window, or next to a south-facing window covered with a sheer curtain.

Placing in a Dim Area

A houseplant in a terracotta pot with large, heart-shaped, elongated velvet leaves with deep green tones and a slight reddish sheen, growing on sturdy stems on a desk near a lamp, laptop, and mouse. — Low light will slow growth and dull plant vitality.

Just because philodendrons don’t like bright light, it doesn’t mean they can survive in dark areas! These plants will suffer when placed in dark bathrooms or offices and struggle in areas that receive only a few hours of low light each day.

Even if your plant is surviving in the corner of your dim office or hanging from that wall in your windowless hallway, it’s not thriving. Low light can slow a plant’s growth, diminish the leaves’ color and size, and eventually lead to plant death. So, if you notice your plant seems to have stopped growing, consider moving it to a location with more light.

While you should avoid direct light, many locations can work well for most philodendron varieties. Consider placing your plant near a west-facing or east-facing window, in the middle of a bright room, or under a grow light.

Adding Too Much Fertilizer

Close up of a man's hand applying yellow granular fertilizer to a large potted plant with deeply lobed, glossy green leaves growing on compact, bushy stems. — Fertilize sparingly to avoid yellowing leaves and root issues.

Eager plant parents often love their plants a little too much, especially when it comes to fertilizer. Most houseplants, including philodendrons, require low amounts of nutrients to thrive. Adding fertilizer too often or at too high a dose can lead to issues with salt buildup and fertilizer burn.

If you add too many nutrients to your potted philodendron, numerous problematic symptoms can develop. First, you’ll likely notice yellow or brown leaf tips that appear dry to the touch. Although this symptom can also occur with underwatering, applying too much fertilizer also leads to yellowing older leaves and darkened roots. You’ll also notice a salt-like crust on the dirt surface.

When you fertilize your philodendron, make sure you’re using a diluted product with an NPK ratio of 1-1-1 or less. Always follow product instructions to calculate your dose, and err on the side of adding too little fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer once in the early spring and again in the early summer. There’s no need to fertilize in the fall or winter.

Setting Your Philodendron in a Drafty Area

A close-up of a houseplant with large, velvety green leaves, prominent red veins, and a heart-shaped appearance in a decorative wicker pot. — Avoid drafts to keep them stress-free and happy.

You may already know that philodendrons like warm temperatures between 60-85°F (16-29°C). However, not everyone knows you should also keep these away from both hot and cold drafts. These drafts can cause sudden changes in temperature and stress your plant.

Place your container at least three feet away from heating vents, air conditioning vents, fireplaces, exterior doors, furnaces, and open windows. While it’s okay to move from a warm location to a cooler location (and vice versa), these changes should be gradual.

Ignoring Early Signs of Pests

Fungus gnats are stuck on a yellow sticky trap inserted into a clay pot with a houseplant in a close-up view. — Early pest treatment keeps your plant healthy and vibrant.

Although indoor plants are less susceptible to pests than many outdoor plants, unwelcome guests like aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats can congregate on your philodendron. Most of these pests don’t cause extreme damage in the first few weeks they’re present, so treating them soon after they appear keeps your plant healthy. However, many plant parents ignore pests, thinking they’ll go away on their own.

That inaction allows the pests to quickly multiply. When the tiny critters are present in large numbers, they can cause more serious issues. Pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies pierce plant leaves and drink sap, leading to issues like discolored leaves and an overall lack of vigor. Therefore, treating the pests as soon as you spot them is key to a healthy philodendron.

You can use a wet, soapy rag to wipe small pests off your plant’s leaves. However, if the pests are present in large numbers, you may want to spray them with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Inspecting your plant for pests each time you water will help you spot and treat infestations early.

Waiting for Wilting to Water

Close-up of a clay pot containing a houseplant with large, heart-shaped leaves in dark green to blackish hues, watered from a homemade drip irrigation system, with a glass flask filled with water and a thin brown hose running into the soil. — Regularly monitor moisture for optimal plant health.

Although adding too much water is a valid concern for zealous philodendron caretakers, they can also become too dry. Waiting until your plants are wilted to add water stresses them. Following an ideal watering schedule allows the soil to dry slightly, but it never leads to wilted leaves.

Keeping an eye on the root zone moisture, rather than the plant’s leaves, helps you water at the correct time. Ideally, you should water when the top one to two inches of potting mix is dry. Pour a slow and steady stream of water until all of the soil is moist, then empty any water that collects in a catch dish.

Environmental factors like temperature and light impact how often you should water, so check the soil regularly until you have a good idea of how fast it dries. It’s also important to remember that changes in season impact how fast soil dries, so plan to alter your irrigation schedule throughout the year.