28 Care Guidelines For Your Philodendron Martianum

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Philodendron Martianum is a tropical and easy-to-care-for plant, making it a fantastic choice for indoor gardeners.

In this care guide, we’ll detail everything you’ll need to know to keep your Philodendron Martianum looking vigorous. If you want to know more about the interesting qualities of this Philodendron and where to buy it, keep reading below!

What Is Philodendron Martianum?

The Philodendron Martianum has been called Philodendron Fat Boy, Flask Philodendron, and Philodendron Fat Belly. Very interesting names, but there’s a good reason.

Its foliage grows in a rosette form (it grows close to the soil), so it often takes up a lot of space, primarily when grown indoors. But it’s all worth it when you see its rich green, slightly leathery, lance-shaped leaves. The underside of its leaves, which are paler and semi-matte, also sport lateral veins and fat petioles that are green and inflated.

This perennial from the Araceae family will grow well near a west or east-facing window when grown indoors. If you keep this plant outdoors, this Philodendron will thrive in hardiness zones 10-11.

Origin And Family

This Philodendron plant was first identified in 1899 by Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler. Its natural habitat is in the rainforests of Southeastern Brazil.

Philodendron Fat Boy belongs to the Philodendron genus in the Araceae family.

Where To Buy

You should be able to find Philodendron Martianum at a home improvement store or your local nursery. However, if you don’t want to drive to a store, scan through aisles, and haul a plant in your car, head over online to Etsy. We’ve been successful with buying our house plants there!

Prices for the Philodendron Martianum are expensive, starting at $60 for medium-sized plants and reaching up to $150 for larger and more mature plants.

Philodendron Martianum Plant Size

The Philodendron Martianum, as a houseplant, reaches a height of 2-3 feet. It typically grows moderately. Keep it near an east or west-facing window for optimum plant development.

Philodendron Martianum Care Needs

Your Philodendron Martianum will grow well when it’s properly taken care of. Known for its thick petioles, this plant loves humidity and needs mostly dry soil to stay healthy.

It is ideal to water this plant every 10-12 days. Water deeply and allow it to flow through the pot’s drainage hole. In terms of light, this exciting plant needs bright indirect light to reach its maximum growth potential.

Check out the detailed care guide below for more specific tips!

Care Difficulty

This Flask Philodendron is generally easy to care for. The amount of light and using well-draining soil are the most important considerations for this beauty.

New plant day! Got myself a fatter Philodendron Martianum and a budget Anthurium Warocqueanum 🪴 #planttwitter pic.twitter.com/qQgrtvoMIh

— erika ☔ | BeTSinMNL D1&2 🧡 (@yourethestorm) July 17, 2022

Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Philodendron Fat Belly is moderate. Indoors, it reaches a mature height of about 2-3 feet. It grows in a rosette formation, so they take up a lot of lateral space, which is one disadvantage of growing them indoors.

Potting

For the Philodendron Martianum’s potting material and size, it is recommended to use a large-sized, good-draining pot made of terracotta. Philodendron Fat Boy does not like sitting in too much water; otherwise, it may succumb to root rot.

Repotting

It’s essential to repot your Philodendron Martianum when you see roots pushing out of drainage holes. Based on experience, this plant grows relatively moderately, so expect to repot once every two years.

While repotting, you can give your Philodendron a nutrient boost by adding standard commercial potting soil to replace the old material. This plant’s extensive and expansive root system is quite robust, so transplant it to a larger pot or a deep container to encourage it to expand further.

Soil

A regular commercial potting soil is best for Flask Philodendron. Peat, perlite, charcoal, and orchid bark are the ideal components for the soil. Aeration and drainage are very important for this plant which is easy to care for.

Here are some terrific growing options to choose from:

pH

This plant’s pH should be around 5.5-5.6, meaning your Philodendron Fat Belly likes neutral to acidic soil. If you repot on schedule or add new soil from time to time, the pH level wouldn’t be much of a concern as when you’re growing this plant outdoors.

Water

Philodendron Fat Boy likes humid environments and needs mostly dry soil throughout the year.

Water your plant every 10-12 days during spring and summer. Ensure the soil is drenched until water flows out the hole at the bottom of the terracotta pot. If you’re using a collection tray, toss the water to fend off root rot and other diseases.

In the winter, you don’t have to water as often. Continue to deeply water your plants but do so less regularly.

Light

This houseplant prefers bright indirect light for approximately 6-8 hours daily. Too much light and its leaves will get scorched. Too little light and its leaves may droop.

If you’re worried that your Philodendron Martianum isn’t getting enough light, you may move it closer to a window or consider setting up artificial lights for best results. Here are some basic options for you to consider:

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

Fertilizer

Feed your Flask Philodendron if you want to give it some extra nutrient boost. During its growing season in the early spring and summer months, use a slow-release fertilizer once a month.

Here’s a variety of plant food you can choose from:

When growth naturally slows down in the winter months, you don’t need to fertilize at all.

Avoid supplying fertilizers to your Philodendron Fat Boy, as it may severely damage or even kill it.

Propagating Philodendron Martianum

Like most tropical plants, it is possible to propagate a Philodendron FatBoy with the proper methods. Here are a variety of techniques for propagating this tropical houseplant.

Division

Propagation through root division is an effective way to propagate the Philodendron Fat Belly.

1. Dig up. Using a small shovel, tap around the pot to loosen the soil. Gently pull the plant out.

2. Separate. Find the natural boundary of each stem, then separate them with your hands. Cut the roots carefully, making sure the main roots are not damaged.

3. Repot. Plant each section in smaller pots filled with the same soil they’re used to.

Humidity And Aeration

This Philodendron prefers high humidity between 60%-80%. They also love being misted, so you can give the leaves a sponge wipe to keep them looking shiny and fresh.

You may consider getting a humidifier when you see your Philodendron Martianum has curling or crispy leaves with brown edges. This will constantly release steam and significantly raise the humidity in a room.

This is one of our new plants! We got a philodendron martianum "fat boy" and it's utterly delightful pic.twitter.com/EfSoL5jrS4

— emmy rākete ⚫⚪🔴 (@cannibality) May 29, 2020

Temperature

The ideal temperature for your Philodendron Fat Belly is between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. This tropical houseplant will appreciate being kept in warm locations.

More importantly, ensure you avoid sudden spikes or temperature drops. Don’t use cold or hot water to water your Philodendron Fat Belly so its roots won’t go into shock.

Toxic

Unfortunately, the Flask Philodendron is toxic to people and pets such as cats and dogs as it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If this plant is ingested, you can expect the following symptoms: swelling in the mouth, tongue, and throat, and GI tract irritation causing pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. Generally, this plant is considered non-life-threatening.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

Is your Philodendron Martianum looking ill? This plant is said to have strong resistance to pests, diseases, and overall problems.

In the next sections, I’ve provided the common issues that affect this exciting plant. Follow these tips to help diagnose and treat your Philodendron.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are a common and unfortunate problem, especially for Philodendron Fat Belly. It will initially appear as tiny, brown, or yellow spots on this plant’s leaves. You might observe stunted growth or leaves that take a long time to unfurl.

Spider mites spin webs as they are related to spiders. The only difference is that a spider’s web has a more intricate pattern; on the other hand, a spider mite’s web is fine and sticky. You will only find one or two spiders inhabiting their webs, while in a spider mite infestation, you see a lot of little red bugs crawling in it.

To combat spider mites on your Philodendron Fat Belly, start by taking your plant outside and giving it a douse to remove the bugs. Once you take it back inside, isolate it from your other plants until you’re sure that there are no more spider mites on your plant.

If that does not work, neem oil, insecticidal soap, and horticultural oil are organic products that can do the trick!

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are very small insects that live off organic matter in the soil. Their larvae devour the roots of plants, which is terrible news for your Philodendron Fat Boy.

Frequently reapply products such as Pyrethrin sprays, neem oil, and hydrogen peroxide. These products target both the flies and the larvae and will exterminate these annoying insects in weeks.

We’ve used yellow sticky traps to deal with these gnats on our hydroponics systems, which work pretty well.

White Flies

Whiteflies are small airborne insects that immediately fly around when a plant is moved. They are particularly attracted to the Philodendron Fat Boy. They feed on leaves but seldomly cause the death of plants.

If you like the taste and smell of herbs, keeping them near your pest-ridden plant has an added benefit! The aroma of mint, parsley, and cilantro are known to repel whiteflies.

Managing a heavy infestation calls for the use of a pesticide. Here are some popular Amazon products we recommend against whiteflies:

Scale Insects

Adult scales look sedentary and are covered in a waxy coating, but they will give birth to tiny creeping bugs.

You can scrape off armored scales, but you must do it gently with an old ID card or using your fingers. Be careful while doing so to avoid ripping the leaves of your Philodendron Martianum.

Use insecticidal soap, horticultural, or neem oil to suffocate scale insects. When there are active crawlers, use a general pesticide spray and follow it up with another application a week after. Below are some recommended products:

Aphids

Aphids are small bugs that will eat the leaves of your Flask Philodendron, resulting in black and brown patches.

Insecticidal soap or neem oil application will treat an infestation. Alternatively, weak concentrations of dish detergent can also get rid of aphids without harming your plant. Look for products that are fragrance-free such as Ivory Liquid.

In a gallon of water, dilute one teaspoon of dish soap, then increase the ratio as needed. Spray this mixture on your affected plant, especially on the underside of the leaves, where aphids are usually found.

My last wish list plant finally crossed off! Philodendron martianum a.k.a. Fat Boy/Fat Belly 🪴💕 #planttwitter pic.twitter.com/GUxcKbkVfa

— erika ☔ | BeTSinMNL D1&2 🧡 (@yourethestorm) April 24, 2022

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Philodendron Fat Belly. Upon spotting these little parasites with their white fluff, act immediately. Smearing the plant with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol will kill mealies and will turn them brown or orange in color. You may also spray diluted Neem oil as a preventive measure.

Brown Leaf Tips

If you notice browning tips on your Philodendron Fat Boy leaves, you might need to double-check on several aspects.

Make sure your home’s humidity is not too low. You can also set curtains to filter the sunlight if it’s shining too harshly on your plant. Avoid using too much fertilizer and allow the water to flow through the soil for several minutes to flush out excess minerals and salts.

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves on your Philodendron Martianum indicate that your plant is dry and it will normally perk back up once watered. Increasing the humidity around can also help.

Be careful! Pest-infested plants will appear to have droopy and curling leaves at first. Eventually, this will develop other signs such as stunted growth, spots, and a general decline in health. Make sure to check on the underside of leaves if you suspect any issues with pests.

Yellow Leaves

There are various factors that can lead to the leaves of a Flask Philodendron turning yellow. One factor is that it doesn’t get enough sunlight, and another is that the plant is not being watered enough or is getting too much water.

Yellow leaves should be removed to encourage new growth. This will also prevent the spread of deterioration. They can also be unappealing and worrying to look at. You can simply trim the leaves with a sharp, sterile pair of shears.

Root Rot

Root rot is a prevalent killer of the Philodendron Fat Belly. Some indoor gardeners might eagerly water or forget to provide adequate drainage for their plants. These two mistakes are the two prime causes of root rot.

Root rot is difficult to treat, so prevention is the best option. If you don’t own a soil meter device, touching your soil to feel the moisture is another way to check. If the top few inches are not yet dry, skip the watering for later!

It is recommended to use pots high in porosity (such as clay, unglazed ceramic, and concrete) as this will allow excess moisture to escape from the sides. Use a well-aerated soil mix to let its roots breathe and grow freely.

Similar Plants

Love Philodendron Fat Boy? Here are a few other similar plant options you should try:

Philodendron Jungle Boogie: It’s sort of anticipated that you’re special and gorgeous when you have a name like Jungle Boogie, which is absolutely true of this unusual plant. Jungle Boogie’s tall, thin, and serrated leaves are undoubtedly worthy of the hype.

Philodendron Goeldii: The Fun Bun is another unusual plant with a similarly unusual name. Enjoy taking care of this odd plant while admiring its stunning dramatic twirling stems.

Philodendron Painted Lady: This Lady is a favorite among plant collectors due to its unique look and feel. Each leaf shape has a unique “pattern” that gives it a demure appearance like it’s been painted by hand, thus the name. It deserves the center spot in a tropical garden.

Philodendron Rio: This plant is popular among gardeners because of its thick, pointed leaves. Although it gives off a frail and dainty impression, this plant is surprisingly easy to care for and can grow in various environments.

Conclusion

Philodendron Martianum is a fantastic choice for a new houseplant because of its attractive characteristics. Your care efforts will reward you with beautiful exotic flora that you will enjoy having in your home!

Can’t get enough of plant guides? Check out these other options below.

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