The Philodendron Gloriosum, or Philodendron Glorious, is a tropical plant commonly found in the Columbian rainforests. It’s considered a terrestrial creeper, and its height reaches a maximum of 24 inches indoors. Despite its natural habitat, it is a perfect example of a low-maintenance house plant.
The Philodendron Glorius is a popular low-maintenance plant. It needs filtered, indirect sunlight and warm temperatures. This plant requires very little water and high humidity levels. The Glorious needs well-draining soil and is easy to repot and propagate.
Some philodendrons may look similar, making it difficult to shop for the one you want. If you’re looking for a new houseplant, this guide has all the information you need on the Glorious and its care.
Botanical Name
The botanical name for a Philodendron Glorious is Philodendron Gloriosum. The Gloriosum forms part of the Araceae family, which characteristically includes plants with large leaves and a long, stem-like flower known as a spadix.
Common Name
Over time, the Philodendron Gloriosum has more commonly been referred to as the Philodendron Glorious, or simply: the Glorious. In Latin, ‘gloriosum’ translates to ‘full of glory’, thus giving this lush tropical plant its fitting household name.
Philodendron Glorious Description
The Philodendron Glorious is a tropical plant with a striking appearance. It has long stems and can reach almost 3 feet in height. As a houseplant, its leaves will typically grow to around 24 inches.
The Glorious is categorized as a creeper because it sends out stems called rhizomes across the ground. It has a slow growth rate, meaning it may take up to a month for a single leaf to unfurl.
The leaves of the Glorious are heart-shaped and are covered in prominent veins. These veins start with a pinkish hue. As the plant matures, the veins turn into a creamy white. The leaves have a velvety feel and should be handled with care as they are fragile.
Philodendron Glorious Preferences
Because of its tropical roots, it likes warm climates with high humidity and low sun exposure. Despite thriving in a humid climate, the Glorious is highly susceptible to overwatering and root rot. Therefore, potting it with a light soil mix with good drainage is essential.
Light Preferences
The Philodendron Glorious thrives in indirect sunlight. In cases where you can’t provide indirect sunlight for your Glorious, a grow light is a great substitute.
Similarly, you should expose it to around eight hours of light daily to keep your plant healthy. However, you should keep your grow light around twenty inches away from the plant to avoid damaging its leaves.
Temperature Preferences
The ideal temperatures for this plant during the day are sixty-five to eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit. However, these plants can withstand slightly colder environments for short periods. If the temperature drops below sixty degrees Fahrenheit, your Glorious may start to show signs of distress.
The Glorious also enjoys warm and humid environments. Their ideal humidity level is around sixty percent. In lower humidity levels, it may wither and dry out.
Watering Preferences
The Philodendron Glorious doesn’t require excessive watering. In fact, it’s easy to overwater your Glorious. Overwatering may cause damage to the roots and other health problems.
During warmer months, you’ll need to check the moisture level of the top two inches of soil. Ideally, you should assess the soil’s moisture around once a week. You may need to give your plant water if it’s too dry. Your plant will require less frequent watering in winter and should only be watered when the topsoil is dry.
Soil Preferences
The best soil for a Glorious is an aroid mix. This light, well-draining soil mix will allow the roots to breathe and crawl while releasing excess water. This type of soil mix will help to prevent root rot in your plant and is typically a combination of 3 soil types.
Sixty percent of the mixture should be either potting compost or coco coir. Twenty percent should be perlite, and the remaining twenty percent should consist of orchid bark.
Philodendron Glorious Care Tips
Caring for a Philodendron Glorious is easy. They need a medium amount of indirect sunlight during the day and a good soil mix. The Glorious also needs very little water to grow. However, they are also susceptible to the chemicals in tap water. Instead, you should use room-temperature filtered water.
Common Issues And Troubleshooting
The Philodendron Glorious is a low-maintenance plant, so it shouldn’t be difficult to care for. However, they are susceptible to several common issues.
If you find tiny bugs or cobwebs on your plant, it may have an Aphid or Spider mite infestation. To remove these pests, gently hose down your plant to flush out the invaders. Once flushed, you can apply neem oil or other gentle pesticides to your plant.
Similarly, if you notice your plant’s leaves are yellowing, it might be a sign of overwatering. In this case, try watering your plant less frequently. It might also be a problem with your soil irrigation. Make sure you’re using a good soil mix for this plant.
On the other hand, yellowing leaves along with stunted growth could be a sign of underwatering. This can eventually lead to root rot in your plant. Check the soil to see that it is not too wet, and try extending the times between waterings.
If your Glorious has root rot, you must remove it from the pot to check how far it has spread. If your plant has brown, soggy roots, this may be a sign of root rot. You can easily trim small areas of infection away. However, you may not be able to save your plant if the infection has spread too far.
Repotting Your Philodendron Glorious
The Philodendron Glorious has a slow growth rate, so they won’t need to be repotted often. Typically, you will need to repot them every few years.
If your plant has grown large enough that it is leaning over its pot, or if it has become root-bound, you’ll need to switch it to a bigger pot.
Philodendron Glorious Propagation
To propagate a Philodendron Glorious, you’ll need to find a section of rhizome – or stem – between leaves and cut it away. Letting the cutting dry before planting it may be a good idea.
You’ll need to place the cutting on its side in a small pot and partially cover it with a good soil mixture. Place the pot in indirect sunlight and ensure the room has high humidity levels. You can water the cutting lightly once a week. Your cutting should begin to take root after around four weeks.
Conclusion
The Philodendron Glorious is a low-maintenance houseplant that requires infrequent watering and filtered sunlight. This makes it the perfect plant to keep on your desk or in low-light areas of your home. The Glorious is also easy to repot and propagate, making it an excellent choice for first-time plant owners.