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What Is Philodendron Strawberry Shake?
The Philodendron Strawberry Shake is a perennial from the Araceae family. Its spade-shaped leaves with variegation ranging from bright white, cream, pink, and deep red. It is prized for its breathtaking and extremely unique hues.
Strawberry Shake Philodendron Strawberry Shake is a good houseplant for a south-facing window, as it enjoys bright light.
While this article focuses on indoor gardening, this Philodendron can be grown in hardiness zones 9b-11.
Origin And Family
Philodendron Strawberry Shake is a hybrid plant that has unknown origins. It is believed to be descended from Philodendron Erubescens and is native in the rainforests of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
This species of Philodendron is said to be the variegated form of the Philodendron Red Emerald, which is also an erubescens.
Often confused with Philodendron Pink Princess, the Strawberry Shake’s multi-colored variegation, in varying shades of green, yellow, orange, and red, makes spotting it easy. Its stems are deep red compared to the Pink Princess’ brownish-red ones. Its new leaves tend to start lighter in their juvenile state but darken with time.
Where To Buy
Philodendron Strawberry Shake is available for purchase at a nursery or a big box home improvement store in your area. It’s usually a better idea to buy one on Etsy, though, where you’ll find more reasonable prices. Etsy also allows us to buy directly from plant lovers who grow this variety in their homes.
The Philodendron Strawberry Shake’s expensive price range is from $400 for rooted cuttings to $1500 for variegated mature ones.
Philodendron Strawberry Shake Plant Size
When grown as a houseplant, the Philodendron Strawberry Shake grows to a height of 3 feet and spreads to a width of 1 foot. It’s a fast grower that flourishes when placed near a south-facing window.
Philodendron Strawberry Shake Care Needs
Your Philodendron Strawberry Shake will thrive when it’s properly cared for. It likes to grow in relatively dry soil and bright indirect light.
You’ll want to water your Philodendron When the soil’s top two inches feel dry to touch in most situations. Heavily drench the soil until you see water seeping out from the bottom of the pot. As a humidity-loving plant, it will be in its best health when provided abundantly with this requirement.
We’re making it easier for you to care for your Philodendron Strawberry Shake with the extensive list of tips below.
Care Difficulty
The Strawberry Shake is easy to grow, assuming you give it proper light and soil that drains well.
Growth Rate
Philodendron’s growth rate is typically fast. As it matures indoors, it should reach about 3 feet in height.
Bought this strawberry shake philodendron on September 23rd as a one leaf cutting but look at it now! 👩🏻🌾 The glow up is real with this one 😻 pic.twitter.com/SjsiS6DCKl
— add your name (@blamemenahhh) December 3, 2021
Potting
Philodendron plants, in general, prefer a well-draining pot. A medium-sized plastic, terracotta, or clay pot is recommended for your new Strawberry Shake Philodendron. We also recommend the use of a moss pole, and this support helps keep moisture and has enough texture for aerial roots to grab onto. Plus, it also helps keep the plant standing upright.
Insufficient drainage causes root rot, which kills houseplants. Make sure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom – and that you follow proper watering recommendations.
Repotting
To maintain your healthy plant, transfer it into a larger container when it reaches a particular size. When roots start pushing out of the drainage hole, it’s time for bigger pots.
Philodendron Strawberry Shake grows quickly and requires repotting every year. Since soil loses its natural nutrients over time, it’s best to repot with commercial potting soil.
Soil
A standard commercial potting soil is the most recommended option for the Strawberry Shake. To make your own soil mix, use components such as coco coir, perlite, sphagnum moss, and vermiculite.
The soil type should always allow for excellent drainage to prevent root rot and other illnesses. We recommend the following potting mixes:
pH
A soil pH of roughly 5.0-7.0, which is neutral to acidic, is ideal for the Philodendron. If you’re concerned about the acidity of your soil, you can buy a simple pH meter device to evaluate it.
Sulfur can be used to lower pH levels. Baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash can increase pH levels.
Water
Watering frequency is determined by the temperature and humidity in your plant’s environment. Generally speaking, your Strawberry Shake Philodendron prefers a relatively dry growing medium, so avoid moist soils.
Avoid overwatering your Strawberry Shake, Philodendron. Allow plenty of time between waterings, so the soil is relatively dry. When the soil’s top two inches feel dry to touch, it’s time to give your plant a drink. Water directly on the soil and take care not to wet the foliage so you can avoid fungal diseases.
Allow the water to flow through the bottom of the pot. Remember to empty the collection tray if your plant is sitting in one.
Avoid putting your Philodendron Strawberry Shake in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.
Light
Philodendron Strawberry Shake prefers bright indirect light for approximately 6-8 hours daily. Remember that you’re trying to recreate the weather of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Most of the time, planting this plant near a south-facing window or in a shaded position is sufficient.
The leaf color of strawberry shake may turn yellow when it is getting too much light. Conversely, if it loses its variegation, the plant needs more light.
Fertilizer
The Strawberry Shake’s growing season is in the early spring and summer. During this time, fertilize your plant once a month using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to encourage faster growth.
In the colder seasons, when this plant’s development naturally slows (late fall and winter), you don’t need to fertilize.
Humidity And Aeration
This Philodendron is a rare plant that prefers high humidity between 60%-70%.
Consider a humidifier if your Philodendron Strawberry Shake has curled or brittle leaves with brown margins. This gadget continually emits steam, raising the room’s humidity.
Temperature
Like most Philodendron plants, your Philodendron will do best in a warm location. Keep the temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Houseplants can be sensitive to drastic shifts in temperature, so make sure you keep your Philodendron away from heat sources such as vents, hand dryers, furnaces, and other appliances. In the same way, don’t expose your plant to chilly drafts, cold zones, and freezing temperatures during the winter months.
Toxic
Both cats and dogs, as well as humans, are at risk from the Strawberry Shake. If consumed, you should expect difficulties swallowing, drooling, and vomiting due to the irritation. While you should always call your vet/doctor if a pet/child has ingested a piece of a toxic houseplant, the majority of the time, the Strawberry Shake plant isn’t life-threatening.
| Soil | Care Specifics |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Philodendron Strawberry Shake |
| Common Name | Strawberry Shake Philodendron, Strawberry Shake, Philodendron |
| Plant Family | Araceae |
| Origin | Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America |
| Plant Type | perennial |
| Leaf Shape | spade |
| Leaf Color | green with a palette of variegation ranging from bright white, cream, pink, and deep red |
| Recommended Home Placement | near a south-facing window |
| Growth Rate | fast |
| Light | bright indirect light |
| Soil | standard commercial potting soil |
| When To Water | Water When the soil’s top two inches feel dry to touch. |
| When To Fertilize | once a month during growing season |
| Preferred pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Humidity Range | 60%-70% |
| Toxic To Pets? | Yes – symptoms include difficulty swallowing, drooling, and vomiting due to the irritation |
| Common Pests & Diseases | spider mites, brown tips, scale insects, yellow leabes, root rot, aphids, mealy bugs, drooping leaves |
Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems
The Philodendron Strawberry Shake is not a resistant plant to several bugs, issues, and diseases. In the sections below, I’ll lay out some common issues for house plants like the Philodendron Strawberry Shake. The survival of your new plant relies on how quickly you treat them.
Spider Mites
Unfortunately, spider mites are widespread, particularly for plant collectors with a Philodendron. You will know your plant has spider mites if there are brown or yellow patches on its leaves, silky webbing between branches, and leaves that take a long time to unfurl.
To fight a spider mite infestation, bring your infected plant to the sink, the tub, or outdoors and thoroughly wash all the leaves with a strong water spray. Repeated application of neem oil, horticultural oil, and insecticidal soap can also help you get rid of spider mites.
Ladybugs, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs can help control your spider mite population if you want a non-chemical approach.
Scale Insects
Adult scales are stationary and waxy, yet they give birth to little scurrying bugs.
The armored scales may be scratched using an old ID card or your fingertips. Avoid ripping the Philodendron Strawberry Shake leaves.
Suffocate scale insects using insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil. Spray your plant with a broad insecticide if you find crawlers. Apply it again after a week. Here are some suggestions:
Aphids
Aphids are tiny insects that feed on your Strawberry Shake. Some aphids crawl while others fly, and they can be brown, black, red, green, white, and other hues.
Look for aphids on the undersides of leaves, unfolded shoots, and sensitive stem regions. You must act fast to locate these insects (typically in a clump).
First, wrap the soil in plastic. Then wash your plant with soap and water, and use a sponge to cover all surfaces. After cleaning, place your plant in a shady, well-ventilated area to avoid soap burn.
Neem oil, horticultural oil, or alcohol can be used to get rid of aphids. Remember to dilute these options with water before using them. Read instructions when using a horticultural or neem oil.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs may infest your Philodendron. These tiny parasites weaken your plant by sucking on the sap, and the honeydew that they secrete can also invite fungal diseases.
Mealybugs are visibly oval bugs that appear as cottony masses on all parts of plants. They will either stay immobile or crawl slowly.
To fight against a mealybug invasion, take a cotton swab, soak it in rubbing alcohol, and rub it over the spade-shaped leaves or any affected areas of the pant. As a preventative spray, I recommend neem oil combined with water.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown leaf tips on your Strawberry Shake Philodendron can be caused by low humidity, underwatering, root damage, and soil compactness.
Occasionally, you may need to flush out excess minerals, salts, fertilizers, and chemicals in the soil by letting the water flow through for a few minutes. You shouldn’t worry about accidentally drowning your plant’s roots as long as you have a fast-draining substrate and a pot with drainage holes.
i adopted a rehab strawberry shake philodendron!! she's been through a lot but i'm ready to give her the unconditional love she deserves pic.twitter.com/AgzkLRQM4W
— 🦋kira🦋 (@gogoxgadgette) December 11, 2020
Drooping Leaves
Mealybugs and other pests that infest Strawberry Shake Philodendron plants can cause leaves to droop. This problem can also be caused by underwatering, lack of humidity, and nutrients.
Yellow Leaves
A myriad of factors can cause yellowing leaves on Strawberry Shake. For one, lack of light or too long under lower light conditions can deprive your plant of nourishment and turn its leaves yellow. Alternatively, there might be an issue with underwatering, overwatering, or an inconsistent watering schedule.
Remove yellowing leaves so the plant can focus its energy on growing new green leaves instead.
Root Rot
An overabundance of water leads to root rot, which is often fatal for the Philodendron. Once rot starts to set in, it is difficult to control. Your best chance is to completely cut off the root system and restart your plant like you would when propagating a cutting.
Of course, you can always take certain precautions to prevent root rot. Start by giving your plant a fast-draining, well-aerated soil mix. You can add chunky materials that will create air pockets and allow the roots to breathe.
Next, make sure you choose a pot for functionality, not just for aesthetics. The most important requirement for houseplants is drainage. If there are no drainage holes on your chosen new plants’ pot, don’t be afraid to use your driller!
Finally, hold off on giving your plant a drink until you are completely sure that the soil is no longer wet from your last watering. Stick your finger into the soil, or use the classic wooden skewer trick to check for moisture.
Similar Plants
Love Strawberry Shake Philodendron and its deep red petioles? Did you know there are lots of Philodendrons that grow well indoors? Here are some of our favorites:
Philodendron Pedatum: This easy-to-care-for plant has multi-lobed leaves that are unusual. One-of-a-kind, the beauty of this plant is not in short supply and is perfect for interior decor and will provide a splash of color to any indoor garden.
Philodendron Pastazanum: Known on social media as “My Pasta,” this plant has beautiful vein patterns. Each deep seam is generated by a central point that spreads out spectacularly throughout the leaf.
Philodendron Mayoi: This is an excellent accent plant that works well in various settings. Beginners and aficionados alike will like it because it requires little to no maintenance.
Philodendron Mamei: This Philodendron will liven up your space as a gorgeous potted plant. It also takes little maintenance, so you can appreciate the plant’s beauty without exerting too much work.
Conclusion
With its breathtaking variegation, the Philodendron Strawberry Shake grows beautifully indoors.
It’s easy to care for, and you can rest easy knowing that you can easily provide its growing requirements of bright indirect light, high humidity, relatively dry soil, and warm temps.
So if you’re looking for a new addition to your rare plant’s collection or are just getting started as an indoor gardener, use these plant care tips to grow your own Philodendron Strawberry Shake!
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