Philodendron Florida Ghost : Care Guide and FAQs

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The philodendron florida ghost is an Araceae family plant that has a very unique look. The vine climber appears in white at a young age and turns to yellow-green as it gets mature.

The exotic look of the philodendron florida ghost makes it a rare plant. The stem is much bigger compared to other philodendron plants and each leaf contains lobes. When the plant reaches its full maturity, the leaves will turn darker green.

The florida ghost or also known as the philodendron pedatum “florida ghost” is a rare plant. It is a hybrid plant that is a result of two plants’ combinations. However, the origin of the plant combination is still unknown.

  • Botanical Name: Philodendron Pedatum “Florida Ghost”
  • Popular Name: Philodendron Florida Ghost
  • Size: 2-5 feet in height and 2 feet in length. 
  • Type: Perennial
  • Sun Exposure: Filtered sunlight
  • Soil Type: Well-draining soil
  • Soil pH: 5-8
  • Toxicity: Humans and pets

Care Guide

Caring for the philodendron pedatum is surprisingly very easy. You just need to consider some factors such as humidity, temperature, lights, soil mix, and watering habits so it mimics the natural habitat.

As long as you try to mimic its natural habitat, your philodendron will grow healthily. Here we will show you some guidelines on how to grow your philodendron florida ghost correctly.

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Water Requirements

For some people, finding the right balance between underwatering and overwatering can be difficult. The plant cannot stand dry soil while too much wet can damage the plant too. It should be in the middle.

The best method to use when watering the plant is to check its soil. Make sure the top two or three inches of soil are dry.

It is easy to check it. You just need to use your finger or knuckle. The first two knuckles will determine whether you need to water the plant or not.

During the colder season, you will need to reduce the watering frequency. Watering the plant three times in the whole season is ideal generally. But again, try to check the condition of the soil first.

Light Requirements

The same as other philodendron species, the philodendron florida ghost loves an area with bright, filtered sunlight. If you place the philodendron outside, place it  in a place where direct sunlight will not fall directly on the leaves.

Direct sunlight can be harmful to the plant as it can wither up and scorch the leaves.

To achieve the right amount of light, there are a couple ways. The easiest one is to place the plant heading the north-facing window. This place will make sure the plant gets sufficient sunlight but not directly getting hit.

The plant should get sufficient light during midday and night to get the maximum result. Ideally, it should be around 12 hours during midday and 12 hours during the night. Don’t worry, you can use artificial lights.

When you use artificial lights, you have to make sure that it is placed around five inches away from the lights.

Humidity

The healthiest philodendron florida ghost grows in an environment with high humidity just like its natural habitat in a rainforest. However, don’t worry because the philodendron can live with medium humidity to survive.

You should make sure that you place your plant in  such area if you want the plant to reach its potential.

If you live in a colder area, try to increase the moisture. There are some ways you can use.

First, you can use the pebbles by placing them in the tray. After that, fill the tray with water but not until you submerge the pebbles. And then, you can place the pot on top of it.

Another way to increase the humidity level is by using a humidifier. It is a tool that can help you increase the humidity with ease. Besides, it is easier too to get. Just search it online, and you will find it.

The last way to increase the humidity level is by grouping the plant. In this way, your plant will create a mini biome where they will share humidity.

Temperature

Since this plant is native to tropical areas, it likes warmer temperatures. The philodendron florida ghost thrives very well in a temperature range between 65F (18C) to 95F (35C).

Note that this plant is sensitive to cold weather. In the cold months, bring the plant inside and make sure your room temperature is warm enough. However, you should not place the plant in a drafty area as it will damage the plant.

Drafty areas mean here around the heater, air conditioner, and open window during winter.

Fertilization

One quality that you should consider when buying a fertilizer is to look for one that is rich in nitrogen. Nitrogen is crucial to making the plant grows larger and bushier.

Mix the fertilizer with half-strength. The plant is considered a slow grower so fertilizer is a good boost.

A quick tip before fertilizing, make sure that you water the soil or at least the soil should be moist so it will not hurt the roots.

Here, liquid fertilizer is the best and you can give it once a month during the growing season like spring and summer. In the winter, you need to reduce the fertilization frequency and reduce it to every 6-8 weeks.

Read also : Philodendron Bob Cee : Caring Guide for Thriving Plant

Grooming/Pruning

Pruning is not necessary. Some parts of the philodendron might die in the winter, but don’t worry, it will grow again. So, pruning is unnecessary.

However, you might want to prune the plant to keep its shape such as when the plant grows out of control and when there is an infection in some areas. You might need to prune the plant to prevent the infection spread further.

Repotting

Repotting is needed every two to three years and you need to do it during growing months.

The signs that your philodendron needs to be repotted soon is by checking the roots. If you see the roots start growing out of the drainage holes, this means you have to repot the plant soon.

Note that the philodendron’s roots are picky. They always need space to breathe and grow. You have to prevent the plant from getting cramped because it makes the plant stressed out.

Propagation

The same as repotting and fertilization, propagating is better to be done during the growing season which is spring. This time is the best time for the plant to grow.

So what is the best method? The best method to use is the air layering method. However, some houseplant owners use stem cutting. Both methods work well if you do them correctly.

Toxicity

Although the plant looks safe, it is harmful when it is ingested. The philodendron florida ghost contains calcium oxalate crystals which are poisonous.

If you ingest the plant you will exhibit certain symptoms such as swelling around the tongue and mouth. You will feel extreme itchiness when the skin contacts the sap. In rarer cases, this can make you vomit and cause irritation in the GI tract.

Therefore, it is better to keep the plant away from children and pets. Try as much as you can to not let the plant get easily accessed by them.

Pests and Diseases

Certain pests and diseases attack the philodendron florida ghost.

One of the most common is Fire Blight disease. This is caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora. As this bacteria contact the plant, it will cause the plant turn to black and dark brown. Generally, it attacks the stems and new growths. Also, there are lesions on the leaves. If you don’t act soon, it will kill the plant.

To prevent the infection from spreading you will need to prune the plant. Make sure to sterilize the pruning shears using 70% isopropyl alcohol. For temporary, until the disease goes away, cut down fertilization with high nitrogens.

The new growth will attract more bacteria to attack.

Another pest that often attacks philodendron florida ghosts is mealybugs. This bug is often very difficult to see because it is covered by a strange substance that looks like waxy cotton.

The worst thing about the mealybug is it sucks the sap out of the plant. The sap is important because it carries nutrients and also hydration. Besides, the mealybugs can multiply very fast.

To get rid of this bug, you can use the neem oil. It is the best way to get rid of the pest because it is an organic remedy that will not hurt the plant.

Varieties

The main characteristic of the philodendron florida ghost is its leaves. During its youth, the young leaves will have white colors and then turn to yellowish-green colors. After that, when the plant reaches its full maturity, the plant turns dark green. Besides, each leaf has several lobes which make the plant very unique.

Growth Rate

The philodendron pedatum’s height varies. It is range from two to five feet in height and up to two feet in length.

The leaf can grow from two to four inches in length.

This plant is also considered a slow grower so you need to be patient when treating the plant.

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Leaf, Flower, Stem and Seeds Characteristic

  • Leaf – the philodendron florida ghost has a unique leaf. The leaf appears white when it is young, and it turns to yellowish green and then turns to dark green when it reaches its maturity.
  • Flowers – The philodendron pedatum is rarely blooming especially if it is grown indoors. However, once it reaches its maturity and has a chance to bloom, it will grow up to 12 inches.
  • Stem – The plant is a climber so so you will need support to make it grow upright. Besides, there is a leaf node on the stem which can be used for propagation.
  • Seeds – Since the plant is rarely blooming, then obtaining the seeds is difficult.

Soil Requirements

The philodendron pedatum likes well-draining and moist soil. This means the plant likes the water to drain perfectly but at the same time, the soil has good water retention.

The soil that you will use should be high in organic matter. You can buy pre-made soil in the market or use peat moss.

The peat moss is good because it offers great aeration and is coarse. The coarseness here holds the water while letting the water drain completely during watering.

Some of the organic matters that are usually used in the Florida ghost are charcoal, bark, and peat. Keep in mind to pay attention to the acidity of the soil. It needs a little bit alkaline. Keep the pH between 5-8.

FAQs

Is It Safe If My Dog Or Cat Eats My Philodendron Pedatum?

No, it is not! The philodendron pedatum contains calcium oxalate crystal which is poisonous to both humans and animals.

As your dog or cat ingest the plant, they will exhibit several symptoms such as trouble of breathing, and swelling around the tongue and mouth. As this happens, make sure to bring them to professional.

Is It Worrying If My Philodendron Florida Ghost Has Multicolored Leaves?

The main characteristic of the philodendron florida ghost is its colorful color. Three main colors often appear on the plant white leaves, yellowish green, and dark green.

When the plant is still young, the white leaf will appear, and then turn to yellowish green and then turn to dark green as it reaches maturity.

What To Do If My Philodendron Florida Ghost Has Spots On The Foliages?

There are some types of spots on the philodendron pedatum leaves, and mostly you will notice the weird spot. It is called the “necrotic spots” which is a sign of bacterial leaf spots. This is caused by excessive wetness.

Why Are The Leaves Turning Pale Green?

The pale green can be a sign of a lack of proper nutrition. At this time, you need to fertilize your plant with the correct fertilizer.

A fertilizer that contains nitrogen helps much to make leaves look bushier and greener.

The pale color also indicates that the plant doesn’t get sufficient sunlight. You probably place the plant under the shade for too long so it makes the plant lose its signature.

Help! The Leaves Are Turning Brown! What To do?

Brown leaves can indicate a lack of humidity. If you are living in a dryer area, you will need to increase the humidity level.

You can use a pebble tray or a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room.

Another way that makes the leaves turn brown is in direct sunlight. Check if your philodendron gets direct sunlight very often. It is likely the main reason why your philodendron has brown and crisp leaves. Move the plant to bright, filtered sunlight for the best result.

Read also : Philodendron Fuzzy Petiole : Growing Guide From The Experts

Why Are The Leaves Turning Yellow?

The plant indeed has a yellowish characteristic, but when the yellow color takes all of the leaf’s parts, then there is a problem.

Yellow leaves can indicate overwatering. Check the soil before watering the plant. The top two or three inches of the soil should be dry before watering the plant.

What Is The Difference Between Florida Ghost and Florida Beauty?

Many hypotheses are guessing the origin of the hybrid Florida ghost and Florida beauty. Many of them believe that both plants come from the same plants.

Even though it is believed to come from the same plant, it doesn’t mean they are the same. They have some characteristics that differentiate them, especially in terms of coloring.

The Florida ghost comes with white leaf color and then turns into solid-dark green color. Meanwhile, Florida beauty is the variegated version of florida ghost.

What Is The Different Between Florida Ghost and Florida Green?

The Florida green is more commonly found than the Florida ghost. While the Florida ghost appears with white foliage as it is still young, which later turns to darker green, the Florida green grows with green color and will stay green as it is mature.

When both plants reach their maturity, they have similar shapes but Florida green often has darker colors.

Can Florida Ghost Revert?

The Florida ghost plant can back to its original color. This happens with a ton of indirect bright light. If you place the plant in a shady area, now you need to change the position.

How To Make The White Leaves Of My Florida Ghost Turn To Whiter?

If you prefer the white color of the Florida ghost, you can turn them whiter using a grow light. It will then turn the color whiter with time.

As you can see from the greenhouse, if you buy the Florida ghost from them, you will mostly see the leaves with whiter color. It is because the plant is constantly under indirect artificial light.

Where To Find A Philodendron Pedatum?

The philodendron pedatum or florida ghost is commonly found in North America. Typically, a local nursery sells this plant. If not, check around the local plant shop that has imported-rare plants.

You can order the plant online too, but you need to make sure that this Florida ghost can be shipped to your country.

Is The Philodendron Florida Ghost A Fast Grower?

No, it is not! The florida ghost is a slow grower. The plant can benefit from fertilizer to help it grow faster. However, you cannot overdo it because it will damage the roots.

Fertilize the plant during a growing seasons like spring and summer. At this time, the plant is actively growing and you will see the best result. During fall and winter, reduce fertilization because at this stage the plant is dormant.

Is Florida Ghost A Hybrid?

Yes, it is introduced as a hybrid plant. Though, the original or the plant is still unknown.

Does The Florida Ghost Need High Humidity?

Even though the Florida ghost can survive medium humidity, it thrives very well with higher humidity. The 70% of humidity level is very ideal to make your philodendron grow healthily.

If you are living in an area with dryer conditions, you need to increase the humidity level. You can use a humidifier or using pebble tray. We have explained these two previously.

What Are The Difference Between Florida Ghost and Florida Ghost Mint?

The Florida ghost has glossy white to yellowish green to dark green when it reaches full maturity. It has long stems compared to other philodendron hybrids and each leaf has several lobes.

Meanwhile, the Florida ghost mint has slight differences. It has a less yellow color and has more pale lime color. Besides, the color of the leaves depends on various factors such as fertilizer, light exposure, growing conditions, and many more.

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How To Propagate The Florida Ghost?

Propagating the florida ghost is pretty simple. Most people use stem cuttings and layering methods. It depends on which preference you like.

When you decide to use stem cutting, make sure you cut the stem below the leaf nodes. Meanwhile, if you want to use the air layering method, you must make a wound on the plant using a sterilized knife.

Is There A Variegated Version Of Florida Ghost?

Yes, there is a variegated version which is called the philodendron florida beauty. This plant is a climber and you need a stake to help it grow upright.

The Florida beauty is considered rare.

The beauty of the florida beauty is in its leaves in a single leaf there will be multi-color and several lobes, making it eye-catching to be placed inside the house.

How Do I Fertilize My Philodendron?

Fertilizing can be very beneficial for your philodendron because it helps the plant to grow at a faster rate as it is considered a slow grower.

One thing you should note is that the fertilizer must reach nitrogen. It is important For its growth and leaves.

You can use the balance liquid fertilizer and then mix it with half strength. Water the soil before fertilizing the plant so you will not damage the root. Besides, fertilize the plant only during a growing seasons like spring and summer. Reduce fertilization during fall and winter. At this time, the plant is dormant.

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