25 Philodendron White Knight Care Tips And Where To Buy

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Philodendron White Knight is an exquisite plant that’s incredibly rare – yet also easy to care for. This beauty is the crown jewel of any indoor grower’s collection. 

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

If you’re looking to buy a Philodendron White Knight, we should warn you that it’s pricey, but we’ve provided some of the most affordable options below. 

What Is Philodendron White Knight?

The Philodendron White Knight plant, also called White Knight philodendron, has oval green, white, and purple leaves and is known for its lush green foliage with hints of white variegation flecked and marbled throughout. White Knight philodendron houseplants can grow well in bright indirect light as well as most low-light room settings.

Origin And Family

This Philodendron plant enjoys a humid environment, warm temperatures, and bright indirect light.

Philodendron White Knight is a member of the Philodendron genus and the Araceae family. It originates from the rainforests of South America.

Where To Buy

The White Knight is all the rage right now, and there’s not a lot of supply. In other words, it’s expensive. While some specialty nurseries and plant shops may have this beauty, your best bet is likely Etsy for both small and large plants.

The pricing of Philodendron White Knight ranges from $250 for stem cuttings to $1000 for a more mature plant.

Here’s a guide exploring other popular Philodendron types.

Philodendron White Knight Plant Size

The houseplant Philodendron White Knight can grow 8-10 feet tall. When placed in bright indirect light, it’s a fast grower. Brighter light increases the chance of variegation, as well.

Philodendron White Knight Vs. White Wizard

The main distinguishing factor between these two Philos is the stem. White Knight’s stems are variegated dark purple and white, while Wizard’s stems are green. The latter also grows faster and has larger leaves.

Philodendron White Princess Vs. White Knight

The stems of Philodendron White Knight are dark purple with white variegation. The leaves on Philodendron White Princess are thinner, with green stalks and tiny pink and white flowers.

White Knight Philodendron Care

Like any other houseplant, a Philodendron White Knight will flourish if you give it proper care. The White Knight philodendron, with its unique variegation, loves water and bright indirect sun to keep its variegation.

Water your Philodendron White Knight when the top two inches of soil is dry. Water until you see drops escaping the drainage holes at the bottom of the plant. In regard to light, this lovely plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.

Care Difficulty

The Philodendron White Knight is easy-to-care-for in terms of care difficulty, needing bright indirect light, organic potting soil, and moderate to high humidity.

Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Philodendron White Knight is fast. It grows to about 8-10 feet tall at a mature height, and it grows even faster when planted around a moss pole.

You can manage this plant’s height with proper pruning during the growing season.

Potting

In terms of pot size, it’s generally acceptable to use a medium pot. Most options will work fine for the potting material. 

Philodendron plants do not like to sit in water and get root rot without proper care.

To maintain your Philodendron White Knight’s health and growth, you should provide new space in a new pot when it gets a specific size. It’s essential to repot it when you see its roots beginning to fill the entire pot.

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

Soil

White Knight philodendron plants can grow well with organic potting soil. Use peat moss, compost, perlite, and orchid bark to create your own growing medium. Keep in mind that the top two inches of soil should be dry between waterings to provide your White Knight the environment it needs to thrive.

These potting mixtures are what we recommend:

Like most plants, this variegated Philodendron loves good drainage, and the potting mixture should support this.

pH

pH for this plant should be around 5.0-7.0, meaning your White Knight likes neutral to acidic soil. In most cases, pH shouldn’t be a big concern for this plant. But if you’re worried, you can start with a pH test to confirm.

Water

White Knight philodendrons are water-loving plants that need slightly moist soil throughout the year.

Water your plant when the top two inches of soil is dry during the spring and summer. You should be watering deeply, meaning the water drains out fully from the drainage holes. 

Another option is a self-watering planter, which allows the plant to absorb water as it needs it. I’ve started doing this with my Pink Princess Philodendron, and it’s thriving. 

Light

This easy-to-care-for houseplant prefers bright indirect light approximately 8-10 hours a day. They can usually receive a little direct light than most Philodendrons – but any more than four hours in direct light is probably too much. 

Too much light can cause leaves to bleach or burn. If there’s a lack of light, its leaves will revert to a plain green color – and they may not variegate again.

Remember, you’re trying to give White Knight Philodendron a home that’s similar to its natural climate. Since White Knight comes from the rainforests of South America, the best way is to leave it in bright indirect light.

If you’re worried that your Philodendron White Knight or other houseplants aren’t getting enough light, move them closer to a window or use artificial lighting. Here are some basic alternatives to consider:

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a must for Philodendron White Knight. You should use a water-soluble fertilizer at half the strength throughout the spring and summer every three months.

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

Here are some water-soluble fertilizer options you can use:

Propagating Philodendron White Knight

Who wouldn’t want more White Knight Philodendrons in their life?  Here are various techniques for propagating this fantastic houseplant.

Stem Cuttings In Water

The best period to harvest stem cuttings is from spring to summer. Choose a healthy area of the plant, preferably new growth, for your cuttings. Choose a stem with no more than 2-3 nodes.

For the water, we recommend a simple cup. Be sure to use lukewarm water, as hot or cold water can startle the plant.

Only the leaves above the water should stay on the plant. Wherever the stem is in the water, you should remove the leaves. 

Place the cutting in bright, indirect light. You should start seeing roots in a couple of weeks. While not always necessary, I still recommend that you change out the water every week. This is an expensive plant, so you want to do everything in your power to improve your rate of propagation.

Place a humidifier near the Philodendron plant to boost the humidity surrounding the cutting.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Stem tip cuttings in soil are good to propagate Philodendron White Knight. If you don’t have your own plant for propagation, consider buying one on Etsy, Craigslist, or even Facebook Marketplace.

Similar to water cuttings, you’re looking for a healthy stem that’s preferably new growth. A cutting should be three inches long and have a few leaves and nodes. For this step, make sure you’ve cleaned your scissors before making the cut.

Place the stem nodes in a damp potting mix cup and compress the dirt around the White Knight stem to help keep the baby plant in place.

No leaves should be buried in the organic 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 Knight philodendron in around 2-3 weeks.

White Knight Humidity Needs

When considering humidity levels for your Philodendron White Knight, keep in mind that you’re attempting to replicate the rainforests of South America.

Philodendron is a beautiful plant that likes high humidity of 70%. That said, 70% is pretty high for most households

and may cause mold to appear if you don’t have proper ventilation. While I have rare plants in my home that prefer high humidity, I usually aim to keep the place at 55%. Tropical plants, including Philodendrons, usually do fine in this zone.

If you’ve checked your humidity and discovered that it’s low – or could be better – and especially if you’ve noticed brown spots or brown edges, consider obtaining a humidifier or moving your plant to a naturally humid location. Here’s one that we got for our home to meet all of our plants’ needs at the same time.

Temperature

Warm temperatures are ideal for your White Knight philodendron plant, but this plant can thrive in a range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Try your best to keep the temperatures consistent. Extreme changes in heat or cold from vents, windows, and doors, can stress your plant. In some cases, extreme temperatures can be fatal. 

And under no circumstances should you expose your White Knight to cold weather. It’s a big investment, and frigid temperatures are a quick way to lose this beauty. 

Toxic

Unfortunately, the White Knight philodendron’s leaves contain a toxin called calcium oxalate that is toxic to pets (including cats and dogs) and humans. If consumed, you can expect the following symptoms: burning sensation and swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, and tongue.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The White Knight philodendron is mostly a pest and disease-resistant house plant. Here are some common diseases, problems, and pests – and ways to treat them.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are tiny insects that feed on organic matter in soil, potting soil, and other containers. Their larvae eat soil roots, fungi, and organic materials, which is detrimental for your Philodendron White Knight.

Hydrogen peroxide destroys fungus gnat larvae on contact, making it a quick and easy way to get rid of them. Spray your White Knight philodendron soil with a four-part water-one-part hydrogen peroxide solution.

Aphids

Aphids can eat the leaves and cause black and brown patches on the White Knight. Insecticidal soap is your best friend when it comes to treating aphids.

You can make your own with a (scent-less) dish detergent, some soap, and water. Put that in a spray bottle, and spray the plant, especially the undersides of the leaves.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs can potentially infest your Philodendron White Knight tooLike scale, Neem oil mixed with water can also be used as a preventative spray on White Knight philodendrons.

Root Rot

Root rot is a common killer of White Knight philodendron. It’s commonly aused when your soil doesn’t have adequate drainage. Because root rot, like many other plant diseases, is difficult to treat, prevention is the best option.

The simplest way to avoid root rot in White Knight is to carefully monitor the amount of water it receives. An excess of water is the most common cause of this vexing and often fatal illness.

Local plant friend trade! I got the philodendron White Knight. 😊 pic.twitter.com/S26wnbua5M

— U H H it's L U L U 💖 Santa Alter Saber (@Cosplaytendency) May 14, 2021

Other Philodendrons To Consider

Love White Knight philodendron? Here are some other philodendron varieties you should try:

Philodendron Birkin – Philodendron Birkin is a stunning houseplant with striking white stripes on its dark green leaves. These patterns make the plant appear delicate and may lead you to believe it is challenging to care for; fortunately, this is not the case.

Philodendron Prince of Orange – This vibrant plant gets its name from its exquisitely colored leaves, which unfurl with a deep orange-bronze color that turns salmon as it grows.

Philodendron Gloriosum: This eye-catching plant has large, heart-shaped leaves with distinct veins that become more pronounced as the plant matures.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a plant to bring some zing to your rare collection, the Philodendron White Knight is a good option. And unlike some rare plants, it’s easy to care for. 

We are now accepting pictures of the White Knight Philodendron! Please submit them to [email protected]. If we like them, we may include your plant in our articles!

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