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35 Philodendron Gloriosum Tips: The Complete Growers Guide

The Philodendron Gloriosum is among the most beautiful of houseplants. It’s part of the Araceae family of tropical plants, which are commonly referred to as aroids. These green growers are known for their dark green, large blooming leaves, and a partially enclosed cylindrical center stem when flowering. 

Philodendrons are important to rainforest ecosystems, but for our purposes, they are also important for interior design! 

Like many houseplants, they require a home to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible. The philodendron gloriosum leaves – with their dark green color and contrastingly light veins – are a striking focal point for any living space.

 However, there is some much-needed information that you must know to give the Philodendron Gloriosum a long and flourishing life upon your windowsill. So in this Philodendron gloriosum care guide, we’re giving you the information you need to easily grow this beautiful houseplant.

Philodendron Gloriosum Plants Details

The following sections will provide an in-depth look into the vast world of growing Philodendron Gloriosum plants. It will end up being a bit long (spoiler alert!), so if you don’t have quite enough time for that, we’ll add the quick facts down below. For your convenience, simply reference the bulleted information. If you do need more details, though, you can scroll down and see full tips, guides, and recommendations. The Gloriosum does need a bit of attention and particular care, but the attention to detail is well worth the beautiful addition to your home.

Where Can I Buy A Philodendron Gloriosum?

Now that you know a bit more about the rare Philodendron Gloriosum, you may be interested in adding one to your home garden. Thankfully, they are quite popular and easily accessible at local nurseries or even in the home improvement garden section at stores like Home Depot or Lowes. Another good idea, if shopping online is more convenient, is purchasing a Philodendron Gloriosum through Etsy. Consider buying from these sellers:

How Much Does Philodendron gloriosum cost?

This lovely plant is on the expensive side of the houseplant-cost spectrum. Small Philodendron gloriosums on Etsy are selling for $150-200 – or more There are a lot of other, more affordable gloriosum options out there, such as the Philodendron verrucsoum, that you should consider if the price is a concern.

If you just want a fancy Philodendron, perhaps consider the Philodendron birkin, which has the most striking variegation. Etsy has a wide variety of these as well.

But if your heart is set on this heart-shaped beauty, you could also look for Philodendron gloriosum cuttings for sale, which may be a bit more affordable on places like the Facebook marketplace. But as a while this plant could – even in cutting form – could set you back $100 or more.

Why Are Philodendron gloriosums So Expensive?

Philodendron gloriosum, unlike many other Philodendrons, aren’t genetically modified, but they still have large and beautiful heart-shaped leaves with striking veins. The tremendous demand for these specimens, along with a limited supply, leads to higher costs.

Philodendron Gloriosum Plants: Family & Origin

The Philodendron Gloriosum is part of the Araceae family of plants, commonly called aroids. The botanists who originally named the plant clearly marveled at its appearance, naming it Gloriosum, Latin for glorious! 

These green growers are distinctive for their large dark green leaves. Philodendrons are important to rainforest ecosystems, and they require a home to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible. Philodendrons’ large green leaves and contrastingly light veins make it a striking focal point in nature and any home.

  • Family: Araceae
  • Genus: Philodendron
  • Species: Philodendron Gloriosum

The species name originally comes from the Greek language, where philo means “love” and dendron stands for “tree,” which is likely a reference to its heart-shaped leaves. 

Philodendron is the second largest genus in the Araceae family and is made up of plants native to rainforests, as well as Central and South America. The genus was officially introduced in the middle of the 16th century, containing around 489 species. However, among these hundreds of species, many are still undescribed, with very little information available about them. There is still much to learn about Philodendrons.

Where Did Philodendron Gloriosum Come From?

Philodendrons were discovered in the wild as early as 1644 by Georg Marcgraf, but the first scientific classification of the genus was done by Charles Plumier, a few decades later. 

About six species of this terrestrial plant were originally collected on the islands of Martinique, Hispaniola, and St. Thomas in the Caribbean. However, the plant – with its beautiful leaves – is native to Colombia and other tropical parts of the world, especially found in rainforests. Apart from Colombia, Philodendron Gloriosum can also be found in Mexico, many parts of Central America, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil, and Venezuela’s western regions. 

Make sure to mimic the Central and South American climate conditions for these broad-leaved evergreens in your home to maximize their flourishing.

Other Philodendrons in the Araceae Family

The Philodendron is a diverse genus within a diverse family–– there are more than 400 Philodendron species, many of which we have yet to understand! They all make great houseplants, though good luck finding more than a few dozen. Some of these green guys are climbers, meaning you’d have to watch out for vines scaling your walls. The rest are creeper crawlers, preferring to stay low to the ground, growing sideways through whatever potting set-up you’ve designed for them. Here are a few other options if you’re interested in adding some variance to your Araceae display:

  • Philodendron Bipinnatifidum (Hope Plant): Large leaves with deep curves. Leaves turn to face the light, so rotate regularly to keep foliage balanced. Can grow to a width of five feet.
  • hand holding philodendron birkin in white pot

  • Philodendron Birkin: A fairly new cultivar with dark green leaves with dramatic variegated pinstripe lines–– the Philodendron Birkin color-variation is its most distinguishing feature.
  • Philodendron Brasil (Cream Splash, Silver Stripe): Cultivar of the Heartleaf variety with green heart-shaped leaves, variegated (colorful) with a white, cream, or lime-colored strip down the middle of the leaf. Stems can also be pink.
  • Philodendron Erubescens (Blushing, Pink Princess): Can be black or dark green with pink accents. The pink sections lack chlorophyll, making them sensitive to direct light. In the wild, it has red highlights and undersides.
  • Philodendron Hederaceum (Heartleaf): Glossy green, heart-shaped leaves. Among the most popular philodendron members. Fairly easy to care for, making it a great option for beginner gardeners.
  • Philodendron Micans (Velvet-Leaf): With a velvety texture, the greenish-bronze leaves of this variety and their rust-colored undersides make for a beautiful visual centerpiece.
  • Philodendron Moonlight: Hybrid of the common Heartleaf Philodendron. Good for both outdoor and indoor gardens. Fluorescent green foliage. This type will stay much wider than tall.
  • Philodendron Rugosum (Pigskin): A rare and exotic member of the species, with the classic heart-shaped leaf. Its leaves are thick, with a rough-textured pattern, leathery and bright green. Difficult to obtain and at risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Philodendron White Knight: Rare hybrid with white splotches on green leaves and purple or cream-colored stems. Slow-growing though can be trimmed regularly into a bushy-looking houseplant.
  • Philodendron Xanadu (Winterbourne): Large and compact houseplant that is, of course, wider than it is tall. Dissected and rounded green leaves.
  • Philodendron Gloriosum Traits

    The Philodendron Gloriosum has several distinct features and traits; although it is can be a fragile and needy plant, it will likely live as long as you care for it. As a result of its tropical rainforest origins, Gloriosum primarily grows side-to-side rather than vertically, crawling along the ground or wide potting vessel.

    To clarify, this means that the plant will not climb or scale the height of a support system–– expect it to grow wider than tall. Its lateral root shoots, or more accurately “rhizomes,” like to be exposed above the soil. While this is often a sign of needing to be replanted for other houseplants, this is a defining feature of Philodendron Gloriosum and crawlers like it. Despite its preferences for sideways growing, it can still get between 2 to 4 feet tall, or even 6 feet in ideal outdoor conditions.

    A healthy plant should expect to see leaves that are at least 6 inches wide, with their iconic rounded heart shape. Their deep green, velvety skin is a sight to behold alongside the light and pale veining throughout the plant. Be patient though, as the Gloriosum is a very slow grower–– they take more than a decade to reach full maturity!

    But it will be plenty beautiful long before then. Once fully matured, the flowers are white and yellow, blooming any season of the year. Along the way, you can expect a very well-behaved houseplant. 

    If given the right room to grow, they won’t invade any of your other plants or spaces and will generally remain under your control.

    How To Care For Philodendron Gloriosum

    Though Philodendron Gloriosum care might sound daunting, they’re actually quite low maintenance once you have a system in place. 

    Like any plant, keep your attention on the soil, water, sunlight, and humidity. Understanding these four aspects should have you well on your way to a thriving and glorious Gloriosum. 

    Is Philodendron Gloriosum Hard To Care For?

    While not as easy to grow as, say, the Hemigraphis Alternata, the philodendron gloriosum is not a particularly difficult plant to grown. The main considerations for this plant are potting, humidity, and water. 

    You don’t want to overwater it, which can cause root rot. Also, tap water directly added to the plant can deter growth. Check out our section on watering for tips for more information.

    Potting for Philodendron Gloriosum

    The pot you choose is perhaps the most subtly important step to a well-cared-for gloriosum. Many growers make the mistake of using any standard ceramic pot when this ground crawler really needs the space to spread out. Make sure to use a rectangular pot that is wider than it is tall with plenty of drainage holes.

    Also, when potting the Philodendron Gloriosum, don’t worry too much about covering the uppermost roots (rhizomes) with soil–– they actually prefer to be above ground

    And there’s really no need to get the dirt out of the roots if you’re repotting from a small pot to a larger pot. Since they can be delicate, you’ll want to disturb them as little as possible. But to what kind of soil and fertilizer should you introduce to Philodendron gloriosum?

    Soil & Fertilizer For Philodendron gloriosum

    Philodendron plants prefer well-draining, loose soil, with high organic matter. Try rich peat(moss)-based soil or potting mix or Miracle Grow Moisture Control Mix.

    For the Gloriosum in particular, pure Sphagnum moss is maybe the best growing medium as it meets all of the mentioned criteria. It prefers a solid base that retains moisture, keeping a humid environment, but doesn’t hold water.If you’re not getting the drainage you need in the soil surface, consider repotting and adding perlite. Some other options include peat-vermiculite, peat-perlite, peat moss, orchid bark, or jungle mix. To clarify, peat is comparable to compost. If you’re interested in ideal PH balances, PH 6.1 to 7.5 is a fitting range. Good drainage is important, so line the bottom of your planter with stones.

    Fertilizer

    In terms of fertilizer, something balanced in liquid form is great for the Philodendron Gloriosum. Feed this Philodendron variety a balanced, liquid fertilizer for houseplants with macro-nutrients, such as a 20-20-20 NPK formulation. Mix this water-soluble fertilizer with water, diluted by half the recommended amount, feeding the plant every month in spring and summer months.

    Reduce the feeding to once every two months during fall and winter. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer three times a year if you want something less hands-on, though this gives you less control. Use slow-release fertilizer sparingly. Small and pale leaves may be a possible sign of needing fertilizer. In particular, pale baby leaves can be a sign of calcium and magnesium deficiency.Oddly enough, another welcome addition to your fertilizer composite would be horticultura charcoal (or activated charcoal). Rainforest soil is rich in charcoal so aroids thrive on it. It can also remove toxins from the soil, and will help to imitate Philodendron Gloriosum’s natural environment.

    How To Plant Philodendron Gloriosum

    While most growers use cuttings to propagate gloriosum, you can technically purchase seeds. That said, it will take at least 1-2 months before you get a single leaf spike.

    To pot a Philodendron gloriosum plant, the best way to do it is not to cover the roots completely with soil. Gloriosums are terrestrial Philodendrons, so they actually like to have some of their roots above the soil. Here’s a quick video about the importance of potting this way:

    Growth Rate

    The Philodendron gloriosum is a slow-growing plant. The growing season is spring and summer. You shouldn’t expect much if any new growth during the winter season. 

    While it may seem obvious, adding more water or light will not speed up the slow growth – and can actually damage your plant. 

    The plant needs of the Velvet Philodendron are straightforward, but growers can sometimes be impatient and try to (unsuccessfully) speed up the growth. Take it easy and enjoy the slow and consistent development of this beautiful plan.

    Water For Philodendron Gloriosum

    Gloriosum prefers moist and well-drained soil–– moist soil, but not wet. Overwatering will result in root rot, which can kill your plant. During the warmer months, water Philodendron Gloriosum about twice a week. Be sure to remove any excess water from plant trays beneath your pot.

    Reduce that to once (if even) a week during winter. It’s important for Philodendrons’ upper 3 inches of soil in summer to be only semi-dry before the next watering.

    In winter, the soil should be dry before watering again. As a reference point, think of the rainforest floor: damp, but not often receiving direct rainfall. If the leaves are getting droopy or yellowing, it means either too much or too little water. Again, overwatering may lead to plant issues like fungus and root rot. Utilizing a spray-bottle would come in handy, misting regularly. Less water is most often better than too much water.

    We should note that it’s sometimes tricky to use tap water for this plant. In most places in the United States, tap water includes fluoride and a few other chemicals used to protect us from bacteria. While not harmful to humans, these chemicals can affect the plant growth of the gloriosum. 

    You can either use filtered water on your plant, or you can let your tap water sit out for 24 hours. This gives it plenty of time to release any harmful chemicals from the water.

    Sunlight for Philodendron Gloriosum

    Philodendron Gloriosum prefers bright indirect light. This will help promote strong growth and mimic the growing conditions of a Philodendron’s natural habitat on the floor of a tropical forest.

    They can also do aright in partial shade or low light. Philodendron Gloriosum can survive in artificial light as well, but natural light is always preferable. Consider placing your houseplant directly next to or in front of west or east-facing windows, both of which should get plenty of indirect sunlight. 

    However, If you notice that your leaves are yellowing, you may be giving them too much light. Keeping the plant in direct sunlight or bright light for too long can actually burn the plant. Yellow leaves or browning leaf edges are a potential sign that the plant has too much direct sunlight exposure.

    On the other hand, long and skinny stems may show that the plant is rotting and is not getting enough light to cook out the excess moisture.If you do opt for artificial light, your grow light should be at least 24 inches (61cm) above the leaves to avoid leaf burn.

    Humidity For Philodendron gloriosum

    Unlike some houseplants, high humidity may actually be the most important factor for a thriving Philodendron gloriosum. The ideal range is 60% to 80% humidity, if not higher. This makes these plants great for greenhouses. Again, using their home environment of a rainforest is a helpful reference point: very humid!

    Gloriosum can survive in lower humid conditions of 40% to 50%, but it is far from ideal, so beware of the dry winter months. Purchasing a humidifier would be a worthwhile investment to see a thriving aroid. 

    Air Quality And Aeration

    While humidity is important, it can also be a way to invite mold into your home (and on your plants). One way to combat this is better aeration. 

    A fan, open window, or air purifier can all help with the air movement around your plants. Similarly, there are ways to keep the soil better aerate, including using loose soil components,light-weight potting soil, a porous pot, or even using a chopstick to poke small holes along the soil surface.

    Temperature For Philodendron gloriosum

    Since Philodendrons don’t experience winter in their natural setting, experts recommend transferring them to a warm place for winter. In terms of temperature, 55ºF to 85ºF (12ºC – 24ºC) is ideal, which is of course more than reasonable for most homes.

    Temperatures outside the recommended range will cause plants to experience poor growth and health problems.

    Philodendron gloriosum Flower

    A flowering spike called a spadix and a leaf-like bract called a spathe makes up the Philodendron gloriosum flower. Philodendrons produce flowers in their native tropical jungle habitat. 

    This specific philodendron, as a houseplant, on the other hand, rarely flowers inside.

    Pruning Philodendron Gloriosum

    Pruning is another great practice in caring for your p. gloriosum. It can be helpful in stimulating the growth of new leaves. But sometimes pruning is necessary when leaves begin to die or it’s simply taking up too much space. Prune yellow, brown, or otherwise dead and old leaves so that the nutrients flowing through the plant can be used as efficiently as possible. No need to waste energy on an ugly leaf! 

    Use very sharp, clean shears or a knife to minimize stress to the plant. A clean-cut will produce the best results. Identify the dead leaf or stem, pull it away from the rest of the plant, and cut it at the base, just above the stem it shoots off from. If the whole stem has gone bad, cut it just above the rhizome.

    It’s best to do this just before watering so that the Philodendron Gloriosum can recover from the stress. Hopefully, this will not be needed too often! However, pruning can also be used to propagate a piece of your plant into a new one, as discussed below.

    Propagating Philodendron Gloriosum

    To use the pruning process for the sake of propagation, you’ll need the stem cuttings from a healthy part of the mother plant. Otherwise, propagating a Philodendron Gloriosum is simple, and is definitely your cheapest option if you have the time and patience to nurse it to maturity.

    To begin, find a long and healthy stem, ideally longer than 3 inches. Cut the stem at the point it meets the main stem or the cut rhizome. Let the stem sit in a cup of water until new roots start to emerge from the base of the stem cutting. Plant the new roots in the appropriate potting specifications and care for this new plant as you would any other gloriosum. 

    You can also propagate a portion of the rhizome by following the same steps. If possible, only propagate from a plant that has a few leaves on it already, otherwise, you’ll have two bare plants. As a final tip, adding cinnamon to the cut portion on the original plant can act as a disinfectant and help the Philodendron Gloriosum to heal.

    Soil Propagation

    One of the most convenient techniques to propagate your Velvet Philodendron is through stem tip cuttings in soil. 

    For your cuts, again, make them at the point where the stem meets the rhizome. choose those with a good rate of development, preferably fresh growth. Once again, it’s recommended that you use cinnamon to protect your plant against infection.

    Plant your cutting in moist soil. Keep the soil moist to maintain a high level of humidity around the cutting. It’s preferable to cover the gloriosum with a plastic bag or other enclosure until it takes root. For good root development, keep the plant warm, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

    To decrease legginess, turn and rotate the plant to maintain continuous light exposure. Although regular rotation may not totally eliminate gangly development, it helps lessen stemming patterns that are unpredictable.

    Troubleshooting Philodendron Gloriosum

    There are a few common problems that Philodendron Gloriosum encounters, some of which are easier to troubleshoot and solve. Basically, they come down to one of two causes: you or bugs. While water and sunlight are not the only reasons for illness in your plant, things like dying leaves or root rot are generally the result of insufficient care.

    Yellow Leaves

    Yellowing leaves are either the result of too much water or too much light… or both. Err on the side of caution with water and light for your Philodendron Gloriosum. You can always add more, but too much right away might prove fatal to your houseplant.

    Brown Leaves

    Brown leaves are often too far gone. They are also usually the result of too much sunlight, as the delicate leaves are too hot. Move your plant away from direct sunlight.

    Dropping Leaves: Dropping leaves are probably scorched from the sun. Move it away from the window for a period of time.

    Root Rot

    If you see yellowing leaves or perceive root rot, ease up on the watering. Give the soil time to dry out. You should be able to figure out soon enough what watering schedule works well in your space, along with which windows provide the right amount of bright, indirect sunlight.

    Pests

    Though Philodendron plants are not prone to many pests, spray some diluted neem oil on Gloriosums’ leaves every other week to prevent mealybugs, fungus gnats, and aphids. 

    Chemical-based insecticides can pollute your soil mixture, so opting for something less harsh and more natural is ideal. You can wipe away mealybugs with cotton balls soaked with disinfectant alcohol–– they should be easily visible on the plant. 

    These two solutions, rubbing alcohol and neem oil, seem to be the best fight against bugs for the gentle gloriosum. 

    If you’re worried that your Philodendron is experiencing a disease or deficiency, start with this wonderful guide from PennState Extension.

    Small Leaves

    One common issue with Philodendrons, in general, is small leaves. Small leaves can indicate a few things, but usually, it means that your plant is under-fertilized. Read the section on fertilizing above for tips to get the large heart-shaped leaves gloriosum is known for. Overwatering can also cause small or stunted leaves and generally inhibit new growth.

    Other Popular Houseplants

    Although we think the Philodendron gloriosum is a great option for your home garden, there are plenty of other options as well. 

    The Monstera Deliciosa is a bit more ubiquitous to indoor gardening, so you should be able to find it easily at a local nursery. It is also more affordable than gloriosum. However, neither of these plants have much by way of flowering, so if flowers are what you’re into, consider the low-maintenance orchid.

    assorted houseplants

    Further still, the Philodendron genus has literally hundreds of options, most marked by the dramatic dark green leaves lined with those light pink margins. Your options in this category are almost endless. Whichever you end up with, we’ve got several other guides to getting the most out of your houseplants. Here’s to the beautifully flourishing Philodendron gloriosum!

    Philodendron gloriosum Common Name

    The Philodendron gloriosum is a creeper plants that’s commonly called a Velvet Philodenron for the texture of its leaves. 

    Variegated Philodendron gloriosum

    Like many Philodendrons, you may be able to find beautiful variegated options available, but they will likely cost you a pretty penny. Further, there’s no guarantee that these plants won’t revert back to their original forms (sans variegation). 

    If you find one – or are raising one with variegation – please send an email about it to [email protected]. We want to see a picture!

    Anthurium gloriosum Vs. Philodendron gloriosum

    The Anthurium gloriosum and Philodendron gloriosum are often misidentified. The Anthurium usually has darker leaves that are also thinner and longer than the gloriosum. The gloriosum, with its light, bigger leaves, is also more of a crawling terrestrial plant.

    Conclusion

    Whether you’re a lifelong plant lover or just stretching your green thumb for the first time, these amazing plants are a great option. I’ve heard some growers say that p. gloriosum is the last plant you’ll ever want to buy, as growing anything else would be a disappointment.

    And while growing this houseplant is a little more difficult than most alternatives, you can easily create optimal conditions with the proper water, humidity, and potting.

    Have you had success with Philodendron gloriosum? We want to hear more about it. Let us know in the comments below!

    2 thoughts on “35 Philodendron Gloriosum Tips: The Complete Growers Guide

    1. Hi Brent! Thank you for this article. I found it very informative! Just a quick observation. I think that photo at the very top near the title is actually a Philodendron Verrucosum, not Gloriosum. You may want to double check. Other than that, loved the article!

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