Philodendron Bipennifolium: How To Grow In 27 Tips

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Philodendron Bipennifolium is a tropical and easy-to-care-for plant that can liven up any garden.

In this article, we’ll go over Fiddleleaf Philodendron care in greater detail so you may confidently raise this rare plant.

Our selection of Philodendron Bipennifoliums includes several reasonably priced alternatives. The Philodendron is an exciting plant, so keep reading for more information.

What Is Philodendron Bipennifolium?

The Philodendron Bipennifolium plant, also called Fiddleleaf Philodendron, has unique irregularly-shaped and glossy green leaves and is known for its lobed foliage. Fiddleleaf Philodendron house plants can grow well near north or east-facing windows.

Fun fact: The underdeveloped state of this rare plant is entirely different from its mature version. Young leaves grow in a small oval shape and do not have lobes. As it grows, the adult leaves form unique irregular lobes. This transformation in foliage makes them look like a completely different plant type.

Origin And Family

The Fiddleleaf Philodendron is a member of the Araceae family and originates from the Philodendron genus. This variety of Philodendron is from the rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Philodendron Bipennifolium has become a popular houseplant for some years now, especially in climates with high humidity.

This fantastic plant is scarce and is usually considered relatively expensive to buy.

Where To Buy

We’re a family of plant lovers, and we’ve recently purchased more plants from Etsy, including the Bipennifolium. They have a wide variety of plants at reasonable prices, and shipping is fast and (usually) free.

Philodendron Bipennifolium Plant Size

As a houseplant, the Philodendron Bipennifolium reaches between 5 feet tall and 18 inches wide when mature. It works very well next to the north or east-facing window for its height and size.

Philodendron Bipennifolium Care Needs

The “Horsehead” Philodendron plants thrive in humid conditions and need a constant supply of wet soil. The summer months are the best time to water your plant. The pot should be drenched to the point where the water drains out of the base of the container. To prevent root rot, remove the water-collecting tray.

Care instructions for your new houseplant may be found here.

Care Difficulty

Regarding care requirements, the Philodendron Bipennifolium is a low-maintenance plant that requires bright indirect light and soil that drains well.

Growth Rate

The Philodendron Bipennifolium plant grows to a mature height of 5 feet. Their growing season is between spring and summer.

The majority of Philodendron species, including the Bipennifolium, grow fast.

Potting

This tropical plant has adjusted well to indoor living and can thrive in most potting options. Terracotta, clay or hanging baskets will work well for most growers for Philodendron Bipennifolium.

For most plants, you’ll want to go with a big pot. Drainage holes on the pot’s bottom are all that’s needed.

Repotting

To maintain your Philodendron Bipennifolium’s health and growth, you should provide new space in a fresh pot when it gets to a specific size, and it’s vital to repot it when you see the roots outgrow the existing pot.

This means that it’s past time to switch your plant to a bigger pot. Typically, you want to repot every two to three years or so.

Another reason to repot your Horsehead Philodendron is if you think it has root rot, which can seriously damage or kill the plant.

Soil

For the Fiddleleaf Philodendron, well-draining soil is a suitable choice. Use peat, perlite, and vermiculite to make your own potting mix. Remember that Bipennifolium prefers a relatively moist growth medium, and your soil should accommodate this.

We recommend the following potting mixes:

Well-draining soil also helps prevent illness, such as root rot, by allowing the water to drain correctly. Porous dirt is preferred by this low-maintenance shrub.

pH

Bipennifolium prefers an acidic soil pH of around 5.0-6.0. You won’t have to worry about this as long as you choose soil that drains well.

A pH test may help determine whether the soil is acidic. Low-cost testing may be found online or at a local garden store.

To raise the pH, add calcitic or dolomitic lime, wood ashes, or baking soda if necessary.

You may apply sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower the pH of your Philodendron Bipennifolium if you’re worried about it. 

I got a Bipennifolium Philodendron. It just shipped. That’s my last plant for sure 💚 pic.twitter.com/geKlOhYJCD

— THEHEALINGBODYSHOP.COM (@MissLoKayy) January 13, 2022

Water

Fiddleleaf Philodendrons are humidity-loving plants that need relatively moist soil throughout the year.

Every spring and summer, be sure to hydrate the top inch of soil. Don’t over-water the plants in the terracotta, clay pots, or hanging ones.

You won’t have to hydrate as much in the winter. You should water your plants more sparingly, yet more deeply. Avoid putting your Philodendron Bipennifolium in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Light

This houseplant requires at least 4 to 6 hours of daily indirect sunshine to thrive. Too much light and its lobed leaves may turn yellow and get scorch marks, and insufficient light might cause its stems to become leggy.

If you’re worried your Philodendron Bipennifolium or other house plants aren’t getting enough light, you may need to move them to their ideal spot closer to a window or consider using artificial lights. Take a look at the following basic choices.

Fertilizer

Several indoor growers forget to fertilize, thinking water and bright indirect light are enough. But for this adorable plant, the perfect time to apply a slow-release fertilizer would be every three months.

If you’re using a more potent fertilizer, you may need to dilute it first. In the winter months, you don’t need to fertilize at all.

Another essential thing to note is that HorseHead Philodendron is sensitive to saline soils. So it is imperative to avoid fertilizers high in salts to keep this plant healthy.

Propagating Philodendron Bipennifolium

It is possible to propagate a Fiddleleaf Philodendron with the proper methods. Here are some popular techniques for propagating this tropical houseplant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Philodendron Bipennifolium may be propagated via stem tip cuttings in soil. You may frequently buy a cutting on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace without your own plant.

We usually propagate Philodendrons in early to late summer, during the plant’s growing season. You want to choose a healthy stem cutting and preferably newer growth.

It is recommended that a cutting be at least three inches long, with some leaves and nodes included. For this step, you’ll want to use sterilized scissors.

In a moist potting soil cup, put the nodes of a Bipennifolium stem and press the earth around the stem to help retain the young plant in place.

No leaves should be buried in the well-draining soil. Soil should be moistened by placing the pot next to a window in bright indirect sunlight.

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

Air Layering

Philodendron Bipennifolium propagation may now go on to air layering. Propagating trees, shrubs, and houseplants through air layering is now a widespread practice among gardeners.

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 –

Fill a ziplock bag or plastic wrap halfway with sphagnum moss and water until slightly moist.

Next, split the bag in half vertically to wrap around the nodes of your choosing. In this step, the air layering process becomes the messiest. Make it so that the moss is in direct contact with the nodes.

• Securing Your Bag And Moss – 

Twist ties may be used to hold your bag and moss in place. Twisties should be tight but not so that they are squishing the endpoints or the vine, preventing new roots from sprouting. Your moss should be pushed on the nodes.

• Watering The Cutting – 

To prevent the moss and cutting from withering, a slight gap at the opening of the bag is ideal. Keeping your cutting from becoming too damp or dry is critical here. You can keep the moss moist by adding a drop of water if you see it drying up. Stick tiny holes in the bag to boost airflow if there is a lot of excess moisture.

• Removing The Cutting – 

Check your bag if the roots aren’t growing against the plastic bag’s edges after three to five weeks. It is safe to begin removing the cutting at this point in time. 

philodendron bipennifolium 😍😍😍 idk where to put it pic.twitter.com/Eqsq8KvMGo

— hemorrhoid henny (@wetfartbox) January 24, 2021

Humidity And Aeration

Philodendron Bipennifolium or Horsehead Philodendron is a tropical perennial that prefers high humidity – 60% and higher.

If you’re worried about the humidity or your plants have brown edges, take a look at these humidifier solutions.

– Group your houseplants to create a more humid microclimate through transpiration.

– Mist your plants

– Use a humidifier

– Place your pots on a tray with an inch of pebbles and water. This is called a pebble tray method and is often associated with bonsai tree humidity.

Temperature

Warm temperatures are preferable for your Fiddleleaf Philodendron plant, but it can thrive in a temperature range of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is, however, essential to keep plants away from cold temperatures and vents that may enable frigid air to enter.

Requirements for temperature and humidity are typically linked. Be careful to include the humidity section in your calculations.

Toxic

Unfortunately, the Horsehead Philodendron is definitely toxic to pets, including cats, dogs, and people. If you swallow it, you may anticipate the following effects: severe swelling and irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive system. Most of the time, this plant isn’t regarded as detrimental to human health– just irritating.

The leaves of Philodendron bipennifolium have started to assume their more mature bunny‐ear shape 🐰 This spectacular South American aroid is a strong grower, reaching toward the ceiling in the @AugsburgU campus greenhouse. pic.twitter.com/2bd4P4IdHo

— Leon van Eck, Ph.D. (@orchidhunter) February 11, 2021

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The Fiddleleaf Philodendron, like all plants, is prone to a few diseases, pests, and other problems. Overall, the Philodendron Bipennifolium is not a disease and pest-resistant plant.

Here are a few quick fixes for everyday plant-health problems and some general pointers for preserving the health and vitality of this endangered species. 

Spider Mites

Spider mites are common pests, particularly among Fiddleleaf Philodendrons. At first, spider mite damage appears as small brown or yellow patches on the leaves of Philodendron.

Additionally, you may discover that your plant has ceased to grow. Furthermore, because spider mites are linked to spiders, they make webs, which are sometimes visible.

To combat spider mites, begin spraying your Philodendron Bipennifolium with a sink nozzle.

If it fails, insecticidal oil may be used, such as neem oil.

If you want to fight fire with fire, ladybugs can assist in keeping your spider mite population under control. Additionally, a bug dubbed the “spider mite destroyer” could be a possibility.

Scale Insects

It is more common to see lumps of scale on a plant’s stems or branches than actual insects. The tiny bugs, which may be found in green, gray, brown, and black, tend to remain after they’ve attached themselves to a plant.

Care for Minor Infestations

Your Philodendron Bipennifolium may benefit from a teaspoon of neem oil mixed with water to discourage new scale bugs from attacking if your outbreak isn’t too bad—whether on one plant or part of one plant.

Some harm will be done by using horticultural or neem oils, even if they don’t eliminate germs. Introduce scale insects that prey on other insects like ladybugs.

Aphids

Aphids feed on leaves, causing black and brown blotches.

Alternatively, make your own insecticidal soap using Ivory Liquid and insecticidal soap (or neem oil). A product without scents or other potentially harmful components is ideal. A weak mixture of soap and water (one teaspoon per gallon, at least). Spray the plants, especially the leaf undersides.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Philodendron Bipennifolium. You must act fast if you discover these parasites, which may be detected by their white “fluff” on the stems since they can swiftly spread. Pour rubbing alcohol onto the beginning of a cotton ball, and squeeze the cotton to remove any surplus alcohol from the cotton. Rub this over the Fiddleleaf Philodendron’s unique irregular lobes, glossy green leaves, and stem to remove all the visible bugs.

You’ll need to combine rubbing alcohol and fragrance-free dish soap in a spray container, along with water.

Spray that on Horsehead Philodendron twice a week until the mealybugs are gone.

As a preventative spray, neem oil is effective.

Brown Leaf Tips

There are two possibilities: either your Fiddleleaf Philodendron is receiving too much sunshine, or your environment is not humid enough. 

Drooping Leaves

Mealybugs are known to affect the Philodendron Bipennifolium, can cause this. Overwatering and over-fertilization may also create these concerns.

Yellow Leaves

When a plant’s leaves become yellow, there are several reasons for it to do so. It may be getting excessive or insufficient sunshine or water.

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

Root Rot

Fiddleleaf Philodendrons are often killed by root rot. Indoor gardeners often overwater or use soil that drains well enough in their pots. Root rot may be induced by any of these two methods. To avoid root rot and other plant diseases, it’s better to avoid them altogether.

To prevent Philodendron Bipennifolium root rot, just watch how much water the plant is receiving. Overconsumption of water is the primary cause of this debilitating and frequently deadly disease.

Similar Plants

Love Fiddleleaf Philodendron? We’ve compiled a list of other plants that may be of interest:

Philodendron Verrucosum: This lovely and easy-to-care-for plant will liven up any room or indoor garden with its heart-shaped and delicate leaves. It’s incredibly stylish for indoor gardens and brings that fresh and tropical vibe at all times.  

Philodendron Erubescens: The “Blushing Philodendron,” this exotic plant has heart-shaped leaves in green and burgundy colors. Do not be fooled by its shy name – this is one showy plant that attracts attention.

Philodendron Rojo Congo – You may expect this cultivar to be a magnificent and attractive plant since it is a hybrid of two older philodendrons. Its tall oval leaves in a burgundy green tint make a lovely rosette. 

Philodendron White Knight – This stunning plant will be the focus of everyone’s attention. This Philodendron’s striking white leaf variegation, along with its distinctive purple and brown stems, make it a sought-after discovery.

Conclusion

The Philodendron Bipennifolium is an excellent choice when it comes to unusual plants. As a reward for your hard work, have a look at the horse-head-shaped leaf of this plant.

You can’t get enough of Philodendron plant guides, can you? Check out these great Two Peas In A Condo and see what else we have to offer!

Let's grow together!