How To Care For And Buy The Philodendron Burle Marx Plant – Indoor Garden Guide

Today we’re discussing the Philodendron Imbe Burle Marx – a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that climbs and can reach impressive lengths very quickly. The biggest factors for this plant are the amount of water, the soil requirements, and the humidity requirements.  Philodendron Imbe is an easy-to-care-for plant that can liven up any home.

In this article, we’ll go over the Philodendron Burle Marx plant care in greater detail so you may confidently raise this fast-growing, low-maintenance plant.

What Is Philodendron Burle Marx?

Philodendron Burle Marx is also known as Burle Marx Philodendron, Mottled Imbe, and Philodendron Imbe.

Considered a perennial, it grows well indoors near a north-facing window – or anywhere with low or indirect light. It’s typically known for its shiny bright green, narrow, heart-shaped leaves and reddish stems and is a popular fast-growing houseplant.

This Philodendron plant is not just an indoor plant, and in certain climates, it can be raised outdoors. To grow Philodendron successfully outdoors, you need to live between hardiness zones 9-11. For the rest of us, you’re enjoying this beauty inside!

Also Read 14 Of The Best Philodendron Varieties You Can Grow Indoors

Origin And Family

Roberto Burle Marx first identified this Philodendron plant – he was also the first architect known to introduce modernist landscape architecture to Brazil (he was a busy guy!). This plant enjoys moderate humidity and bright indirect light.

Philodendron Imbe belongs to the genus Philodendron and the family Araceae. It is indigenous to the tropical jungles of Brazil.

Where To Buy

Are you looking to buy a Philodendron Imbe? While it is available in some nurseries and plant shops, we do most of our plant purchasing through Etsy these days, which provides options and prices from all over the world. 

Philodendron Imbe ranges from $30 for cuttings and up to $80 for mature plants. Buy on Etsy now.

Philodendron Burle Marx Plant Size

The Philodendron Imbe grows to over 9 feet tall as a houseplant (if left unmanaged) and about 3 inches spread in width. This beautiful perennial grows fast and typically flourishes near a north-facing window.

Philodendron Burle Marx Care Needs

Like any other indoor plant, a Philodendron Imbe will thrive under proper care. The Mottled Imbe, with its unique heart-shaped emerald leaves, loves lower light conditions or partial shade and needs relatively moist soil throughout the year.

Water your Philodendron when the top two inches are no longer damp. When watering, allow it to drain from the holes along the bottom of the pot. In regard to lighting, this lovely plant thrives in bright places but with indirect light conditions.

Care Difficulty

The Philodendron Imbe is considered by indoor gardeners to be easy to care for. You can easily keep this plant thriving with the right combination of factors. It’s a great plant for beginners.

Growth Rate

The majority of Philodendron species, including the low-maintenance Philodendron Imbe, grow quickly. You can expect this plant to spread and grow several feet in a single year.

 Potting

This beautiful plant has adjusted well to indoor living and can thrive in most potting options. For most growers, plastic will work well for Philodendron Imbe.

In terms of sizing, it’s a good idea to use a medium pot for most plants. 

You typically need to repot your Philodendron Imbe every two years or until the roots become compact and form a tight ball in the pot. This is the sign that you should remove the plant and place it in a larger pot. 

Typically, you want to repot during the spring or summer. I try not to repot my more sensitive plants in the winter.

Soil

Burle Marx Philodendron plants can grow well with a moisture control potting soil, but a general houseplant mix is fine too. Use sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark to create your own growing medium. Keep in mind that your soil should be relatively moist to provide your new plant with the environment it needs to thrive.

These potting mixtures are what we recommend:

Make sure you provide appropriate drainage, as well, to help avoid root rot and other diseases. Like most plants, Philodendron Burle Marx needs good drainage.

pH

The pH should be acidic to neutral – between 5.6 and 6.5 is usually the range you want for this Philodendron. This is slightly more acidic than most moisture control potting soils, but not drastically different. 

If you’re trying to troubleshoot a problem your Burle Marx is facing, try adjusting the light and humidity needs first. pH is usually less of a concern for this plant.

Water

When watering Burle Marx Philodendron, you aim for a relatively moist potting mix. A tried and true way to measure this is by sticking your finger in the soil. If the top two inches are dry, you can water your plant. Some growers may provide their Philodendrons slightly more water, but I like to let it dry a bit more to fend off root rot.

One of the most common killers of indoor plants – especially low-maintenance plants like this Philodendron – is overwatering and root rot. Follow the watering guide carefully. You should also look at the potting soil needs mentioned in this article

Light

Philodendron Imbe prefers bright indirect light for approximately 12hours daily. You’re attempting to replicate how it grows in the tropical jungles of Brazil. In most cases, placing this plant near an east-facing, west-facing or even north-facing window works well and encourages faster growth.

When its leaves burn, bleach or start turning yellow, it’s likely a sign your Burle Marx Philodendron is getting too much light. Stunted growth could be a sign that this plant isn’t getting enough light. 

We should note that yellow leaves could also be a sign of overwatering or a lack of fertility. Further, older leaves also turn a yellowish color. If you see young yellow leaves, start by cutting back the water. If that doesn’t work, adjust the light. And if THAT doesn’t work, up your fertilizer amount.

Fertilizer Options

During this plant’s growing season, fertilize your Mottled Imbe once a month using a basic water-soluble fertilizer.

In the non-growing seasons, the colder months, when plant development naturally slows, you only need to fertilize once a month, or you can cease fertilizing until the growing season returns.

My new friend Philodendron Burle Marx. I shall call him Zeppo pic.twitter.com/Exe01POwgo

— your friend, Dracula (@Remember_Sarah) July 19, 2020

Propagating Philodendron Burle Marx

Propagating a Burle Marx Philodendron can be done through a few methods, including stem cuttings in soil, stem cuttings in water, and air layering. For the sake of simplicity, I’m just going to discuss the stem cutting option, which is easy and effective. 

Stem Cuttings In Soil

One of the best options for propagating this beautiful tropical plant is through stem tip cuttings in soil. If you don’t have your own plant for propagation, you can often purchase a cutting off of Etsy or Facebook marketplace.

We usually propagate Philodendron plants in springtime, as it’s during the plant’s growing period. You want to choose a cutting that’s healthy and preferably newer growth.

A cutting should be three inches and include a few leaves and a few nodes. Make sure you’re using sterile scissors for this part of the process.

Place the stem nodes in a damp potting soil cup and pinch the soil around the Imbe’s stem to help hold the baby plant in place.

No leaves should be buried in the moisture control potting soil. Place your container near a window in bright, indirect sunshine and keep the soil moist.

You can expect new roots on your new Burle Marx Philodendron in about 2-3 weeks.

Humidity And Aeration

When thinking about humidity, remember that you’re trying to emulate the tropical jungles of Brazil. Philodendron Imbe or Mottled Imbe is an exotic jungle-like foliage perennial that prefers high humidity – like 70%+. 

That’s not realistic for most growers, though, and realistically, getting your home around 55% is fine for this plant.

If you’re concerned about your humidity or if you see brown edges on your plants, you might get a humidifier and place it near the Philodendron Imbe. This can make a big difference for a wide variety of plants.

Temperature

Room temperature – or slightly warmer – is preferable for your Burle Marx Philodendron plant, typically between 64 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Philodendrons are particularly sensitive to quick changes in temperatures, chilly air, drafts, etc. Keep them away from windows, open vents, and doors.

Toxic

Unfortunately, the Mottled Imbe is toxic to both pets (including cats and dogs) and humans as it contains calcium oxalate crystals. If consumed, you can expect the following symptoms: oral pain, swelling, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting if ingested.

i got my dream plant today!!!!!! it’s a philodendron burle marx pic.twitter.com/iIMmX5xbe7

— shai hulussy (@bonehaver) August 3, 2021

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Is your Philodendron Imbe looking ill? Most would say that the Mottled Imbe is a pest and disease-resistant plant for the most part, with some strong resistance to pests, diseases, and widespread problems.

But, like any other houseplant, it can have problems every now and again. Here are some of the most common issues this beautiful plant faces.

Mealybugs

You should be on the lookout for mealybugs, which can affect your Philodendron – but also affect your other houseplants! If you’re seeing white fluff on your plants, it’s a good sign you’ve got mealybugs.

Neem oil mixed with water and sprayed on the plants is a good deterrent. I also recommend taking a cotton ball, dipping it in rubbing alcohol, and rubbing it over the leaves and stems. 

Between these two tactics, you should be able to fend off the mealybug horde. 

Root Rot

The Burle Marx Philodendron is vulnerable to root rot. This disease is most commonly caused by overwatering – but poorly draining soil can also be a culprit. The best way to fight root rot is to avoid it. Monitor your watering carefully (see our instructions above). 

If your plant is dying of root rot, it’s best to cut back on the watering and gently repot, during which you cut away any of the dead/rotten roots with a sterile pair of shears.

Read: Secrets To Growing Philodendron Birkin: A Beginner’s Guide

Conclusion

With its shiny bright green heart-shaped leaves and reddish stems, Philodendron Imbe is a low-maintenance ornamental plant that looks stunning inside. Less is more when it comes to caring for this Philodendron plant.

Have you got a Burle Marx Philodendron? We want to see it! Please submit photos to [email protected] to share them on our blog.