Though not many of us have the gift or knowledge on how to carry on with an interior makeover project, we can’t complain we don’t have the information to at least consider ourselves capable of handling such a project as a DIY thanks to technology. What we’ve come to see as the most common decorating elements, no matter the interior style, are plants.
When it comes to popular plants, that have been considered the ideal plants for indoors, for generations, we can’t overlook the philodendron selloum houseplant, because it’s one of the widely known air purifiers.
Great news is, even if you don’t have green thumbs, you won’t have much trouble tending to this plant’s needs, and it mostly has to do with the plant’s easy adaptability to the home conditions, as long as you make sure to choose the adequate soil primarily – slightly alkaline, with moisture retaining properties.
Knowing how to take care of the philodendron selloum houseplant means knowing it thrives best at spots with indirect sunlight. If you notice the plant’s leaves are getting yellow, many at a time, it may not be the sign of old leaves but that there’s too much light.
It’s same with watering: if you overdo it, and make for soggy soil instead of keeping it just moist, then you can expect for some change of colour with the leaves, as well as droopiness, indicating you the mistake. In winter, there’s even less watering, so soil should be kept barely moist. Also important to remember in winter is to place the plant in areas away from drafts.
Any plant can do well with a fertilizer, and the philodendron selloum is no exception. It’s recommended to use a water-soluble fertilizer on moist soil every month, except in winter, though only a light amount because too much of this nutrition can burn the leaves due to the build-up of salt in the soil.
Since it’s a plant that grows quickly, it’s advisable to plant it in a larger pot since roots can fill it up fast if it’s smaller, and you’d have to do repotting. A bit of pruning every now and then is also welcome, as it can help to control the shape and size of the plant, but don’t forget to wear gloves because of the sap that drips.
And, speaking of the sap, it’s toxic, as much as the rest of the plant, given that all philodendron types contain calcium oxalate crystals, the so called raphites, with the greatest concentration being in the leaves. It’s needless to say you have to keep the plant away from pets, because once chewed it can result in injury, as the crystals penetrate the tissue.