The Incredible Philodendron Billietiae – 29 Care Tips You Need Now

What Is Philodendron Billietiae?

The Philodendron Billietiae is commonly called Billie and Philidor. It is a perennial well-known for its unique elongated leaves and bright orange petioles. This tropical plant from the Araceae family has heart-shaped wavy leaves dappled with yellow-green and brown spots.

This Philodendron can be grown outside in hardiness zones 9-11, although this page primarily concentrates on indoor cultivation. 

Origin And Family

The Billie belongs to the Araceae family and is part of the genus Philodendron. A popular indoor plant, the Philodendron Billietiae has become a favorite for many indoor growers, though it is native to Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana’s rainforests.

Two years after it was identified, a plant specimen was carried to the National Botanic Garden of Belgium in Meise, where it bloomed for the first time in their greenhouses.

Where To Buy

Philodendron Billietiae is expensive to buy, ranging between $80 for lightly rooted cuttings and $300 for medium-sized plants.

To get the most incredible deals on Philodendron Billietiae, check out this page on Etsy, which features some of the most outstanding plant-growing alternatives. They offer a wide variety of plants to choose from, so you won’t be disappointed.

At Icarus Plants, they’re also offering some fantastic bargains and beautiful listings. Use this link to save 10%.

Philodendron Billietiae Plant Size

When grown indoors, the Philodendron Billietiae reaches a height of three feet and spreads to a width of eight inches. It grows fast and thrives in east or north-facing windows.

Philodendron Billietiae Care Needs

Like any houseplant, your Philodendron Billietiae will thrive if you take good care of it. Since the Philidor is a humidity lover, it also likes relatively moist soils.

You should water your Philodendron when the top two inches of the soil are dry. Make sure you water it well, allowing it to flow out the drain hole. This incredible plant needs a lot of indirect light to grow–– as far as the light source is concerned.

See the detailed care instructions that follow for additional information.

Care Difficulty

While all plants require some kind of care, the Philodendron Billietiae is considered by indoor gardeners to be easy to care for. You can simply maintain the health of this plant if you use the appropriate mix of variables. For the Philidor, the essential aspects are the amount of light and the extent to which the soil is well-draining.

Growth Rate

A Philodendron Billietiae’s growth rate is fast, and it should typically be about three feet tall and eight inches wide at maturity. A fascinating aspect of this plant is how its foliage changes as it grows. When the plant is still in its juvenile stage, its leaves are delicate and straight. The leaves grow from a leaf node and are arrow-shaped, and upon maturing, it increases vastly and starts to develop ridges or waves.

Potting

Any container just a bit bigger than the plant’s roots will be fine. Plastic, terracotta, and clay may all be used for potting, and the pot should include openings for drainage. If there aren’t, you may need to make your own.

Philodendron Billietiae does not like to sit in water and can succumb to root rot quickly.

Repotting

As your Philodendron Billietiae grows and expands, you might consider upgrading from your current pot to a new pot on an as-needed basis. Typically, this will occur every two to three years because Philidors expand quickly. The best time to propagate this plant is during its growing season: spring and summer.

Your Philodendron plant’s old soil may be refreshed each year by replacing it with new, well-draining dirt in between potting changes.

Soil

For Billie, well-draining soil is imperative. Use compost, perlite, and sphagnum peat moss if you’re making your own. The well-draining dirt helps to keep root rot and other diseases at bay.

Keep in mind that Billietiae prefers a relatively moist growth medium, and your soil type should accommodate this.

We recommend the following potting mixes: 

pH

For this Billietiae, you’ll need a soil pH between 5.6 to 7.0, which is considered neutral to acidic. As long as you repot every two to three years, this shouldn’t be an issue–– if you have soil that drains properly.

Conduct a pH test to see whether the soil is acidic. There are several low-cost options available on the internet.

If you’re raising the Billie outdoors in the ground, the pH level should be a more significant focus.

You can use baking soda, wood ashes, or a sprinkle of calcitic or dolomitic lime to raise the pH. Conversely, sulfur or aluminum sulfate may be used to reduce the pH of your Philodendron Billietiae if you are worried that it is too high.

Water

Proper watering is essential for Philodendron Billietiae, like most tropical plants. If you use too much, you risk causing diseases like root rot, and if you use too little, your plant may suffer injury or possibly die. In general, Billie should have a growing medium that is relatively moist.

If you suspect your Philidor isn’t getting enough water, there’s an easy method for finding out. It’s simple to tell when it’s time to water your plant by inserting the tip of your finger into the container.

For Philodendron Billietiae, drainage holes and the correct soil are necessary. Don’t let it get dry for too long. 

Here’s my Philodendron Billietiae again! You can see a bit of nectar right on the tip of the orange petiole! I personally really love this plant and how it grows and I can’t wait to see it grow bigger and bigger next summer! pic.twitter.com/KOR80ptiSY

— 💙Bloggo💙 (@bloggowo) December 4, 2021

Light

This easy-to-care-for houseplant prefers bright indirect sunlight for approximately 6-8 hours a day. Direct exposure to too much light will cause the leaves to develop scorch marks. Avoid putting your Philodendron Billietiae in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it. 

If you don’t have enough light, its variegation will revert to normal, and its beautiful orange petioles will get thinner.

Your Philodendron Billietiae and other indoor plants may need to be moved closer to a window, or you may want to try using artificial lights if they aren’t receiving enough light. 

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a must for Philodendron Billietiae. You should use a slow-release fertilizer throughout the spring and summer (every 6-8 weeks).

In the wintertime, when growth naturally slows, you don’t need to fertilize at all as it may actually severely damage or even kill it.

Here are some slow-release fertilizer options you can use: 

Propagating Philodendron Billietiae

It is possible to propagate a Philodendron Billietiae with a few tips. The following are some options for multiplying this tropical houseplant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Placing stem tip cuttings in some soil is an excellent way to propagate Philodendron Billietiae. If your own plants aren’t available, it’s possible to purchase plants on Etsy, Craigslist, or even Facebook Marketplace.

You should propagate Philodendrons during spring and summer, as this is the plant’s growing season. Pick a healthy cutting with recent growth if possible.

A three-inch cutting with a few leaves and nodes is recommended. For this step, make sure you’re using sterile scissors.

Place the stem nodes in a damp potting soil cup and compress the dirt around the Billietiae stem to assist in keeping the baby plant in place.

No leaves should be buried in the well-draining soil. Keep your container moist and place it near a window with bright, indirect sunlight.

You can expect fresh roots on your new Billie after around 2-3 weeks.

Stem Cuttings In Water

Here are some steps to successfully propagate stem cuttings in water.

First, take cuttings from your Philodendron. For most plants, cuttings should be between 4 and 6 inches long.

Don’t make your cuttings too large; they will not root well, or they may become too tall and lanky.

Cut the Philodendron stems just below a node using a sharp knife.

Remove any flowers and lower leaves but leave the top two or three on the Philodendron Billietiae cutting. If any portion of the cutting will be submerged, it has to be leaf-free.

Place the cutting in water and refill it every few days. The nodes of the propagated Philidor should constantly be exposed to water to produce roots.

When the roots of your new Philodendron Billietiae are first developing, move the popular plant to soil. Waiting too long might result in a poor pot changeover.

Philodendron Billietiae 💚 Hands down, my favorite plant in my collection #philodendronbillietiae pic.twitter.com/it2oRN9gii

— Amanda (@_amandalorian) October 18, 2020

Air Layering Technique

Another way to propagate Philodendron Billietiae is air layering. Propagating trees, shrubs, and houseplants through air layering is widespread among gardeners, especially for rare plants.

Air layering entails covering a stem in damp moss to encourage the growth of new roots, and it’s usually a safer option than soil or water cuttings. However, there are a few more steps ahead of you.

The steps of air layering propagation are listed below.

• Identify your cutting – 

Look for the healthiest part of the mother plant and choose a section of the stem with a plant node. If possible, use at least two plant nodes.

• Prepare Sphagnum Moss and Baggy – 

Add tap water to a regular ol’ bag or plastic wrap and fill it roughly halfway with sphagnum moss.

Make vertical incisions on the bag’s edges so that it may completely cover your nodes of choice. This is the messiest aspect of the air layering process, but the secret is to ensure that just the sphagnum moss comes into contact with the nodes.

• Securing Your Bag And Moss – 

Using simple twist ties, you can secure the baggy and moss. Check that the fasteners are tight but not compressing the new roots to the nodes or the vine. You must ensure that your moss is pushed up against the nodes.

• Watering The Cutting – 

To prevent the moss and the cutting from drying up, you want a little hole on the bag’s top so that you can add water to it. Your cutting must be kept from becoming too damp or dry. If the sphagnum moss seems to be drying out, sprinkle a few drops of water over it. Small holes may be poked in the bag to allow more air to circulate if there is a lot of surplus moisture.

• Removing The Cutting – 

After three to five weeks, you should observe roots emerging from the bag’s edges. You may now begin to remove the cutting from the surface. 

Humidity And Aeration

This Philodendron is a unique plant that likes high humidity of 70%-90% or higher.

When considering humidity levels for your Philodendron Billietiae, keep in mind that you’re attempting to replicate the warm climate of Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana.

Getting a humidifier or transferring your plant to a more humid area could be a good idea if you’ve examined your humidity levels and found that they’re low (or if you’re not sure), and you’ve observed brown patches or brown borders on your plant.

Temperature

Generally, warmer temperatures are best for your Billie plant, but it can thrive in a temperature range of 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s best to keep them away from frigid temperatures, vents, and holes that might let chilly air in.

The more significant consideration for this popular variety is consistency. The Philodendron Billietiae may be severely damaged by sudden temperature fluctuations. Keep them away from vents, cold drafts, and openings that may allow chilly air in.

Toxic

The high quantities of calcium oxalate crystals found in the Philidor pose a threat to humans and pets (cats and dogs). If ingested, you may have nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions on your skin. The majority of the time, this plant isn’t regarded as deadly. 

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Several insects, problems, and illnesses have no effect on the Philodendron Billietiae plant. However, in the following sections, I’m outlining some of Billie’s most typical issues, as well as some helpful hints for dealing with them. 

Fungus Gnats

If you see abrupt wilting, yellowing, or poor growth in your Philodendron, it could be a symptom of fungus gnats.

These gnats are commonly seen fluttering around your plants. Adults resemble tiny mosquitos, but larvae have black, shiny heads and transparent bodies. They are common in moist, organic-rich soils.

This may indicate that you are overwatering your Philodendron Billietiae. Instead of watering when the top two inches of the soil are dry as directed, wait two days before watering.

This should kill some of the larvae at the soil’s surface. Similarly, various products have been shown to suppress fungus gnats. Another alternative is to top your potting mix with diatomaceous earth.

We used yellow sticky traps when we experienced these gnats on our hydroponics systems. They do a good job.

Aphids

Some aphids may damage the leaves and leave behind spots of black and brown.

Ivory Liquid dish detergent may be used to make your own insecticide to get rid of aphids. Avoid products that include scents or other potentially harmful elements for plants. Soak the soap in a bit of water (starting with 1 teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary). Be careful not to miss any spots on the plants, particularly the undersides of the leaves.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs can potentially infest your Philodendron Billietiae too. The bugs will fall off your plant if you take a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol and rub it over the heart-shaped wavy leaves and stem. Neem oil mixed with water can also be sprayed on Billie as a preventive measure.

Drooping Leaves

Mealybugs are known to affect the Philodendron Billietiae, can cause leaves to droop. Some of these concerns might be caused by excessive watering and fertilizer.

Yellow Leaves

Several factors can cause a Billie plant to become yellow. A lack of sunshine or too much or too little water might be responsible.

Pruning yellow leaves will foster new growth and keep the degeneration at bay. Yellow leaves can also be unattractive, so simply trim the leaves off with a sharp, sterile pair of shears.

Root Rot

Root rot is a significant threat to Billie. Over-watering or under-draining potting soil are common mistakes made by indoor gardeners, and both can cause root rot. Prevention is the best strategy since root rot is so difficult to cure.

Philodendron Billietiae root rot may be avoided by adequately monitoring water input. In this scenario, excessive water consumption is to blame. 

Similar Plants

Love Billie? Here are a few more similar-looking plants to consider:

Philodendron Black Cardinal: Have you ever thought of black as a color connected with plants? If not, Black Cardinal will be an absolute delight for you. It has stunning dark green to nearly black leaves that change color as it ages. This feature is really one-of-a-kind and would make a fantastic addition to any indoor collection. 

Philodendron Camposportoanum: This plant, known as one of the tiniest Philos, has some extremely unusual and exciting qualities. There aren’t many plants that can alter their color and leaves, so it may be for you if you want to see that one-of-a-kind feature.

Philodendron Verrucosum: This lovely plant will liven up any room or indoor garden with its heart-shaped and delicate leaves. It’s pretty famous for indoor gardening, and it always gives off a fresh, tropical vibe. It also requires very little care, so it’s the best choice for beginners.  

Philodendron Erubescens: The heart-shaped leaves of this exotic plant, often known as the “Blushing Philodendron,” are green and burgundy in color. Don’t let its modest name fool you; this is a stunning plant that grabs attention.

Conclusion

With leaves shaped like a beautiful heart and elegant stems, Philodendron Billietiae is an incredible ornamental that looks stunning when planted inside. Philodendrons are a breeze to cultivate if you follow our directions.

Have you got a Billie plant? It’s something we’d want to see! To be included on our blog, send your images to [email protected].