Philodendron 'Goeldii' - 1 Gallon
1 GALLON PHILODENDRON 'GOELDII'
USDA Zones 9-10
Looking for a plant that will do well in moderate indirect light? This is your guy! We planted this in an indoor in-ground patio space that receives very little light & it is thriving! We have lost many plants to this space - Fatsia, a few varieties of ferns, some shade perennials, & more. The Philodendron 'Goeldii' on the other hand is doing more than surviving - she's growing!
If you're looking for a plant that can survive in moderate to low indirect light - this little darlin' is perfect!
{This Philodendron thrives in bright, indirect light, as well!}
Also known as 'Finger Leaf' Plant & the 'Fun Bun'
Commonly grown as a houseplant, however, if you live in USDA Zones 9 & 10 you can grow this Philodendron outside & treat it as a perennial.
In most cases it is treated as a tropical houseplant. The Finger Leaf is a member of the Thaumatophyllum genus, part of the Araceae family. It is native to the rainforests of Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, & Venezuela. It was discovered by Richard Spruce in 1851.
According to botanists, the Thaumatophyllum genus was challenging to identify for many years, as it was composed of this single species: Thaumatophyllum spruceanum.
So, why do we call this plant a Philodendron if that is not it's genus? Recent DNA studies suggest that this plant, along with other Philodendrons, have an evolutionary lineage that warrants treatment as a new genus separate from Philodendron.
This fast growing plant develops long climbing vines as it matures. It will climb up any nearby structure it can attach to. Moss poles are recommended as a support structure when kept as a houseplant.
LIGHT
Thrives in bright indirect light; will tolerate medium & lower light levels, although their leaves may become discolored.
Foliage will be scorched if exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
WATER
Water ~2x per week throughout the growing season. This plant needs slightly more water than other varieties of Philodendron, however, you should still wait until the top soil has dried before watering again. Keep the soil evenly moist, while avoiding soggy & wet soils.
SOIL
Moist, but well draining. Keep soil loose & aerated. Choose a mix that will retain moisture, but will not become water-logged. Create your own soil mix by adding perlite or peat moss to standard houseplant soil. If you want to choose a pre-mixed soil, use one that has been formulated for tropical plants.
Philodendrons enjoy their soil to have a pH between 5 & 8.
Refrain from repotting your Philodendron Goeldii too often, as they don't like to be moved around. The plant will benefit from a larger container every 2 years. When it is time, find a pot that is 2-3" larger than the pots currently growing in.
TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
The ideal temp for P. 'Goeldii' is between 55F & 86F. They are not very cold resistant & must be brought inside if temperatures fall below 50F. Low temps will cause the plant's leaves to droop & fall off.
It is not surprising that P. 'Goeldii' thrives in heavy humidity, being that it is a tropical plant. Aim to create an environment between 60% - 80%. Keep your plant in a naturally humid area of your home, such as the bathroom or kitchen. You can supplement humidity by misting the foliage of your plant daily, placing your plant on a water & pebble tray, group your plants together, or use a humidifier.