Philodendron Florida Ghost: The 25 Essentials

What Is Philodendron Florida Ghost?

The Philodendron Florida Ghost is commonly called the White Ghost, and it is a perennial well-known for its white leaves that resemble little flying ghosts. This exotic plant from the Araceae family has ghost-like-shaped leaves that are white, yellowish-green, or green.

This Philodendron may be grown outside in hardiness zones 9-11, although the bulk of this page concentrates on indoor growing. 

Origin And Family

This Philodendron plant is believed to be a hybrid between Philodendron Squamiferum and Philodendron Pedatum. However, that theory remains unconfirmed, and there is still confusion around this plant’s origin.

The Philodendron Florida Ghost belongs to the genus Philodendron and the family Araceae. The said-to-be parent plants are native to the rainforests of Central and South America, making this tropical plant a humid-loving perennial.

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Where To Buy

Nowadays, there are many available platforms to acquire the perfect plant for your collection, including a Philodendron Florida Ghost. You can get what you are looking for at local nurseries or online shopping sites such as Etsy.

Philodendron Florida Ghosts are relatively affordable to buy, ranging from $30 for rooted cuttings to $140 for fully mature plants.

Philodendron Florida Ghost Plant Size

When grown indoors, the Philodendron Florida Ghost grows to a height of 2-4 feet and spreads to a width of around two feet. It grows at a slow rate and thrives near a north-facing window.

Philodendron Florida Ghost Care Needs

When properly cared for, your Philodendron Florida Ghost will thrive like any other houseplant. The White Ghost, which adores humidity with white leaves that change as it matures, wants relatively moist soil throughout the year.

For most growers, you’ll want to water your Philodendron when the top two inches of soil are dry. Allow adequate time for the moisture to drain. Similarly, this excellent plant needs consistent indirect light to grow.

Check out the thorough care guidelines below for more specific advice.

Care Difficulty

The Philodendron Florida Ghost is often easy-to-care-for according to its light, water, and humidity requirements. To properly grow this fantastic plant, you need well-drained soil and enough sunshine.

To learn more about the White Ghost’s unique requirements, continue reading! 

Growth Rate

Philodendron Florida Ghost is a slow grower. It should typically be about 2-4 feet tall and around two feet wide at maturity.

Potting

In terms of container size, it is usually acceptable to utilize a pot two inches bigger than the root system to allow the plant’s roots to spread and breathe. Most potting materials, including plastic, terracotta, or clay, will work perfectly. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. If not, you may have to create your own.

Philodendron Florida Ghost does not like to sit in water and will quickly succumb to root rot, so make sure to use a container with good drainage.

Repotting

To maintain your Philodendron Florida Ghost, transfer it when it reaches a specific size–– When the roots start pushing through the drainage holes, it’s time to repot.

This happens, on average, every two or three years. Between repottings, freshen up the organic material in the pot by adding some new standard commercial potting soil.

Repot your plant if you suspect it has root rot, which might harm or kill the White Ghost. 

Soil

Commercial potting soil is all that is required for the White Ghost. Peat moss, orchid bark, and charcoal should be used in any homemade potting soil. Remember that Florida Ghost prefers a damp growth environment, so choose your growing medium accordingly. 

Here are a few of our favorite potting mixtures:

pH

A soil pH of roughly 6.1– 6.5, which is neutral to acidic, is required for this White Ghost. The pH of your soil may be checked using an inexpensive online pH test if you’re worried about it.

If your Philodendron Florida Ghost’s pH is too high or too low, you can correct it with sulfur or aluminum sulfate, respectively.

Water

The White Ghost likes wet soil or potting mix when watering. Put your finger in the dirt to get an accurate reading. When the soil’s top two inches are dry, it’s time to water your Philodendron.

For most indoor plants, overwatering is one of the most common killers. When in doubt, it’s usually better to underwater than to overwater the White Ghost. And always make sure you have well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.

Avoid putting your Philodendron Florida Ghost in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Light

This easy-to-care-for houseplant prefers bright indirect sunlight for approximately six to eight hours a day. Too much light and its leaves will start turning yellow. If you don’t have enough light, it will get leggy stems.

Consider moving your Philodendron Florida Ghost closer to a window or utilizing artificial lights if you’re concerned that it isn’t receiving enough bright light from the windows. Here are a few basic ideas for you to think about. 

Fertilizer

A nitrogen-rich fertilizer is ideal for the Philodendron Florida Ghost. Feed it once per month when the plant is in bloom in the spring and summer.

Winter fertilization is unnecessary. Read about this plant’s standard commercial potting soil requirements in the section above.

Propagating Philodendron Florida Ghost

It is possible to propagate a White Ghost with the proper methods. Here are various techniques for propagating this exotic houseplant.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Stem tip cuttings in soil are suitable for propagating Philodendron Florida Ghost. If you don’t have your own plant for propagation, consider buying one on Etsy, Craigslist, or even Facebook Marketplace.

You should propagate Philodendrons during the spring and summer months, as this is the plant’s growing season. When making a cutting, you should select a healthy section with new growth.

The optimal length for a cutting is around three inches long with a few leaves and nodes. Use only sterilized scissors for this procedure.

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

No leaves should be buried in the standard commercial potting soil. Keep your container moist by placing it near a window with bright, indirect sunlight.

You can expect fresh roots on your new White Ghost in around 2-3 weeks.

Philodendron Florida ghost cuttings pic.twitter.com/ovVZ2uuVKh

— U H H it’s L U L U 💖 prop commissions (@Cosplaytendency) August 14, 2020

Air Layering Technique

Philodendron Florida Ghost proliferation may continue with air layering. Propagating trees, shrubs, and houseplants through air layering is widespread among gardeners.

Air layering covers a stem in moss to foster new root development. Compared to soil or water cuts, it’s generally considered the safest approach. However, you still have a few stages to go.

Here are the stages involved in the propagation of air layering.

• Identify your cutting – 

Choose a stem portion with a plant node from the mother plant’s stem, which is the healthiest. Use at least two plant nodes if at all feasible.

• Prepare Sphagnum Moss and Baggy – 

Once you’ve dampened the sphagnum moss with just a mist, enclose it in a plastic bag or plastic wrap.

Finally, you’ll trim the bag’s edges so that it may fit around the nodes of your choosing. This is the messiest aspect of the air layering process, and Sphagnum moss is the only substance that should contact the nodes.

• Securing Your Bag And Moss – 

Use twist ties to hold your baggy and moss in place. Squeezing nodes or vines might impair the growth of new roots, so be careful not to over-tighten the connection. You must ensure that your moss is pushed on the nodes since this is critical.

• Watering The Cutting – 

A gap at the top of the bag is ideal for preventing the cuttings and moss from drying out. You mustn’t let your cutting get too wet or too dry throughout this process. Sponge up any dried-out spots with some water from time to time. If there is a lot of additional moisture, make a few small holes in the bag to let it breathe.

• 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

Philodendron Florida Ghost or White Ghost is an exotic perennial that prefers high humidity – often at 70%.

If you’re worried about your 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.

– Add an inch of stones and water to a tray where you want to place your pots. The term “pebble tray” refers to something like this, and it’s often used with bonsai trees.

Temperature

However, your White Ghost plant may flourish in a temperature range of 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm temperatures are preferred, and keeping them away from drafts, air conditioners, and other places where cold air may enter is essential since they want a steady temperature.

Requirements for temperature and humidity commonly overlap, and it’s essential to include the moisture in your calculations.

Flowers

Philodendrons seldom blossom inside. To even have a possibility of the plant initiating a flower, the conditions must be perfect.

It produces spathe blooms with a leaf wrapped around a stalk of tiny flowers crowded together when it blossoms. 

Toxicity

Sadly, the White Ghost is poisonous to both people and pets (cats and dogs). If consumed, it might induce swollen tongue and shortness of breath. The majority of the time, this plant isn’t lethal to people.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The White Ghost, like all plants, is prone to a few diseases, pests, and other problems. Overall, I would say the Philodendron Florida Ghost is not a disease and pest-resistant plant. 

Here are some quick tips for curing common ailments, as well as some general suggestions for keeping this rare plant healthy and thriving.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are a nuisance, but they’re common in White Ghost, where they’re especially prevalent. Philodendron spider mite damage is first seen as little brown or yellow spots on the leaves.

Perhaps your plant has slowed down in growth. As a result of their association with spiders, spider mites also produce webs… another thing to watch out for.

Use a sink nozzle to spray your Philodendron Florida Ghost to get rid of spider mites. An insecticide like horticultural oil, if that fails, might be the answer.

Depending on the number of plants in your house, you may need to quarantine them while dealing with spider mites. 

White Flies

Whiteflies, which are gnat-like pests that feed on plant sap, may be drawn to the Philodendron Florida Ghost. They deposit eggs on the undersides of your leaves, which hatch into larvae that eat the bottoms of your leaves.

Managing whiteflies frequently necessitates the use of a pesticide. Here are several popular Amazon whitefly pesticides:

Scale Insects

Philodendron Florida Ghost may have scale insects that look like lumps on the plant’s stems or branches rather than actual insects. As soon as they’ve attached themselves to a plant in a variety of hues, the itty bitty bugs tend to remain put.

If your infestation isn’t too bad, you may stop new scale insects from attacking this houseplant. All you need is a teaspoon of neem oil in four cups of water.

While neem oil and horticultural oils will not kill everything, they will indeed inflict damage. There are numerous insecticide sprays for White Ghost and gardens that are regarded as safe for treating this.

Aphids

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

Make your own Ivory Liquid aphid killer with dish detergent, or use an insecticidal soap or neem oil. Look for a product that doesn’t include ingredients that might harm plants, such as fragrances. A little quantity of water to soften the soap (starting with 1 teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary). During spraying, pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves.

Mealybugs

There is a chance mealybugs could infest your Philodendron Florida Ghost. Mealybugs are parasites that damage the Philodendron by inserting a feeding tube into the plant tissues and sucking on the sap. Mealybugs can stunt plant growth or even kill your White Ghost.

To send these little nasties packing, you can use Neem oil mixed with water. Another option is to start with a small cotton ball, soak it in rubbing alcohol, and rub it over the ghost-like leaves and stem. If you have several plants, you may need to quarantine your Philodendron Florida Ghost until it has recovered.

Drooping Leaves

Leaves may droop due to Mealybugs being harmful to the Philodendron Florida Ghost. Many of these concerns may be caused by overwatering and fertilizer. 

Yellow Leaves

The yellowing of a White Ghost plant may be caused by various circumstances. A lack of sunshine or too much or too little water might be to blame.

Yellow leaves should be clipped to foster new growth and halt the spread of degradation. In addition, yellow foliage might be unappealing. With a pair of sterile, sharp scissors, remove the dead leaves.

Root Rot

A frequent cause of death for White Ghost is root rot. Indoor gardeners may overwater their plants or fail to provide enough drainage for their potting soil, both of which are common mistakes. Root rot may be induced by any of these two methods. Because root rot and other plant diseases are challenging to cure, the best course is to avoid them altogether.

One of the simplest ways to avoid root rot in Philodendron Florida Ghost is to monitor the quantity of water it gets. An overabundance of water is the primary cause of this debilitating and sometimes deadly illness. 

How groovy is Philodendron Florida Ghost? When a new leaf appears it’s all white and slowly fades to a minty colour & eventually green. 👻 pic.twitter.com/TNfyF9M1z1

— 🤯🤯 (@ratrooter) August 19, 2021

Similar Plants

Love White Ghost? There are several different plants you may experiment with, such as:

Philodendron Rio – Beautifully variegated with pointy leaves and dense cream-colored foliage, this attractive plant appeals to all plant-loving individuals looking to grow low-maintenance yet exotic-looking plants.

Philodendron Brandtianum: Its olive green and silvery leaves are a favorite among plant lovers. Delicately beautiful and versatile, this plant is a great accent piece, whether hanging or climbing.

Philodendron Giganteum: This is an excellent landscape plant, especially if you want to fill a gap in your garden. With its lustrous green large leaves that fan out as it matures, this giant plant makes it a definite must-have to add volume to any indoor (and even outdoor) garden.

Philodendron Painted Lady – Pink-stemmed and neon-leafed, this hybrid plant is a favorite among plant collectors. As a juvenile plant, it starts out with bright-green leaves that turn dark with yellow-green spots as it matures. Any indoor garden would benefit from having one of these.

Conclusion

Philodendron Florida Ghost, whose white leaves mimic flying ghosts, is an excellent addition to your home. And this Philodendron is easy to cultivate if you follow our recommendations.

Is there a White Ghost lurking around your houseplants? This is something we’d be interested in seeing. Photos sent to [email protected] will be considered for publication on the blog.