Soil is the main ingredient that keeps your plant alive. The perfect soil mixture is the key that keeps your plant thriving.
The plant is low maintenance and easy to care for. However, a lack of knowledge regarding soil selection can cause root rot, waterlogged, and fade in the color and vibrancy of philodendrons.
In this article you will; learn everything important regarding the soil selection of your plant.
Understanding Soil Needs for Philodendrons
Philodendrons are the most common household plants. The soil quality ensures their survival and growth rate. Ensuring the best soil for the philodendron is crucial.
Basic Soil Requirements
Philodendron plants need wiry and well-drained soil. The soil should have the availability to hold the moisture for the plant. For robust growth and nutrient-rich soil, you can consider these ingredients when choosing the soil.
Peat moss or coco coir
The material helps keep the soil light and holds the needed moisture for the plant.
Perlite or vermiculite
These ingredients help improve the quality of drainage. They make drainage fast and prevent root rot.
Organic matter
These ingredients contain all necessary nutrients in the soil that are essential for the growth of the plant.
Components of an Ideal Philodendron Soil Mix
While choosing the soil for the plant here are some points you need to keep in consideration:
Organic Matter
Select the soil that contains a high amount of organic matter. The plants need the required nutrients for healthy growth. You can use worm castings or compost.
Drainage Materials
Philodendron plants do well in well-drained soil. The soil should be airy and provide good space to plant for breathing. The well-drained soil prevents waterlog and root rot in philodendron.
Nutrient Sources
Always choose the spoil for the plant that retails a good amount of moisture and essential nutrients. You can choose peat moss or potting soil.
DIY Soil Mix Recipes for Philodendrons
Making soil for your philodendron is easy. Here is the simple recipe:
Basic Mix for Indoor Philodendrons
You need to have these three ingredients. Take the equal parts of them:
Potting soil
Have the essential nutrients that help plant growth.
Perlite
This provides the needed airflow to the roots that they need to breathe.
Orchid bark
Provide the best structure for air to circulate easily.
These ingredients are the best combination for the growth of your plant. The plant will need important nutrients and nourishment. The flourishing leaves of the plants will be the sign that the plant is happy.
Light and Airy Mix for Climbing Philodendrons
Here is the light airy recipe for soil for your philodendron:
Take 60% of potting soil that will provide needed nutrients and growth to your plant. Add 20% of coco coir. This will lock in the needed moisture for plants so the roots do not dry out. Add 20% perlite. This will add enough airflow in the soil so your plant can breathe.
Commercial Soil Mixes Worth Considering
If you cannot make your soil mix you can consider the commercial soil mix option. When buying the soil look for the ingredients that are good for your plant. Select the soil that has a good capability of drainage as the philodendron roots are sensitive to soggy soil that can lead to root rot. Look for the ingredients like compost or worm castings. These will provide needed nutrients to your plant.
Tips for Maintaining Soil Health
Maintenance of soil is important for the healthy and long life of your plant. Here are the points you should keep in consideration:
Routine Soil Checks
Check the soil for compaction. Over time the soil loses the ability to drain and maintain the airflow in the roots. You can check the soil with your fingers. If the soil is too hard to move it is compacted. The soil needs to change then.
To keep the soil fresh and healthy you can yearly change the soil. Remove the first few inches of the old soil and mix it with new fresh soil. To maintain the quality of spoil, keep checking the moisture level. you can check it with the help of your fingers. The first layers should be dry and the soil below should be slightly damp.
Look for drainage. If the water sits on the soil for too long then your drainage holes are not working. Check the pot or you can change the pot who have enough holes as per the requirement of the plant.
Signs of Soil Problems
Here are the signs that your soil has a problem:
- If the water stays for too long on the soil then it’s because your soil is too dense or compacted. It can cause root rot
- If the unpleasant smell is coming from the soil it means there is fungal disease. The reason can be overwatering or poor drainage
- If your plant has started to change color such as yellow and brown leaves. This is a sign that the pH level of the soil is not good and there can be nutrient deficiencies
Conclusion
Soil is the basic requirement of every plant. The plant’s overall health depends on the quality of the soil. If you are making your soil mix make sure to add all needed ingredients for your philodendron. You can buy the soil mix from the market as well. While buying, look for the ingredients such as perlite, and orchid to make sure the commercial soil mix has all the essential ingredients for the growth of your plant. Maintain the quality of the soil for a healthy and long lifespan.
