Philodendron Gloriosum: A Complete Beginner's Care Guide With FAQs

 

A Philodendron Gloriosum growing in the open

Today I'm going to talk about Philodendron Gloriosum. This is an amazing variety of Philodendrons, having big heart-shaped leaves with prominent veins. It might be difficult to acquire this type of philodendron, but care for philodendron gloriosum is not very difficult. Find out everything here!

After having written about Philodendron Micans and Philodendron Pink Princess, I am very happy to finally write about Philodendron Gloriosum. I am writing after we recently acquired one from a local nursery. The types of Philodendrons you can collect are virtually endless, but some are harder to get your hands on than others.

Philodendron Gloriosum was one such plant for me. I wasn't willing to pay that price until I got a great deal. I had gone in the late evening when the nursery was about to close. I bargained a little (well, I'm not good at bargaining at all but nevertheless, I tried!). Since the guy was in a hurry to close the store, he agreed to my quoted price! Well, it was like I had won a little war (of sorts!). Yayyy! :)

What is Philodendron Gloriosum?

For starters, Philodendron is a genus of plants, and Gloriosum is a plant species in the genus Philodendron. The lovely Philodendron Gloriosum is native to Colombia and grows along the ground in warm, humid environments.

Along the ground? Yes! In their natural habitat, Gloriosum plants tend to form tendrils that follow groups instead of climbing. However, since they are planted in small pots, their growth patterns tend to be straight and wide.

Just like all Philodendrons, when the leaves unfurl, they are light green and tender. They acquire a deep green color as they age. Similar to Philodendron Micans. the texture is velvety.

The veins of the heart-shaped leaves are much lighter and often have a slight pink tinge. The leaves may also have a pink tinge along the edges but may vary in intensity. Before we dive deeper into the plant's care, let's take some popular questions at the beginning of the post for a change!

A Philodendron Gloriosum growing in the open

Why is Philodendron Gloriosum so expensive?

Good question! Plants are expensive for a number of reasons. They range from how and how quickly they grow to their popularity and robustness.

I'd say that Philodendron Gloriosum is too expensive because it doesn't grow that fast. This means that it takes longer to create new plants than others. It is also very popular and not mass-produced. I'm sure we all understand the fundamentals of the economy and the associated demand-supply thing!

If you want to try your hand at a Philodendron gloriosum, I recommend checking out your local nursery. But the major problem I find is the fact that most nursery guys know the plants with different names, in their own lingo. They might not understand when you tell them that you're looking for Philodendron gloriosum. So, you might need to have plenty of time to search the entire nursery on your own and find the plant you're looking for!

You can also consider plant imports. Prices for imported plants are usually much lower, at least for US buyers. But since you'll have to pay a lot for shipping costs, it's usually best to order in bulk.

Perhaps, the easiest, most reliable, and best way to find your philodendron gloriosum plant is through Comfort Plants. Not only do they have an amazing range of plants, but they also offer some of the most amazing deals on a horde of live plants. 

Is philodendron gloriosum hard to care for?

I have seen people say that the philodendron gloriosum is easy to care for, but I’d say it’s a moderate difficulty level. You can’t set it and forget it like a snake plant—that’s what I consider to be on the easiest end of the spectrum.

How much light does Philodendron Gloriosum need?

Just like most philodendrons, Philodendron Gloriosum requires bright, indirect sunlight. Anything near a sunny window is best for this gorgeous plant. If your window gets sunlight all day, just monitor it to make sure it doesn't let in too much light.

Too much light can fade and even burn leaves, so be mindful of direct sunlight!

If you grow your plants outdoors, avoid too much direct sunlight. Some morning sun might sound nice, but the sun gets stronger as the day goes on, which is detrimental to the plant's health.

If the leaves are shrinking in size or not growing at all, or if the stems are elongated and generally look depressed (leggings), the plant may not be getting enough light. Don't slow down this slow grower any further!

A Philodendron Gloriosum growing in the open

Is Philodendron Gloriosum a fast-growing plant?

Absolutely not! Philodendron Gloriosum is not a fast-growing plant. In fact, it's notorious for being very slow. Makes that new leaf even more rewarding!

It can take weeks for a single leaf to fully open, and it can be torture to watch. You would need loads of patience to see your  Philodendron Gloriosum giving birth to a new leaf! Don't try to open up the leaf, you're most likely to injure it. Be patient, and let them do their job. Just make sure you are providing optimal care for your Philodendron Gloriosum.

What type of soil is best?

Well-drained soil is the best for your Philodendron Gloriosum. 

Why is it so important to use thick, well-draining soil? Well, not only do you want the excess water to drain through the soil and drains, but you also want the plant's roots to have access to oxygen.

Because the roots are buried in the soil, thick soil helps to aerate and promote the flow of oxygen to the roots, which is essential. If the roots cannot breathe, they will die. If the soil is too heavy, it will retain too much water, suffocating and rotting the plant.

Beginners can easily start with this generic potting soil mix for the houseplants which contains all the required ingredients in the right quantities.

A Philodendron Gloriosum growing in the open

When should you water Philodendron Gloriosums?

Since we mentioned water, let's start right away. Watering your Philodendron Gloriosum is a fairly easy maintenance method. Because you only need to check the top few inches of soil. As a rule of thumb, water your Philodendrons when the topsoil is dry. 

If you are a beginner and not sure how to check the water requirement or unsure if the topsoil is dry, maybe you would want to buy this soil moisture meter. 

Even in well-drained soil, plants won't be happy if you keep the soil too moist by watering too often. Yellowing leaves, usually accompanied by wet soil, are a good sign of over-watering.

All of this means that Philodendron Gloriosums generally require watering about every week during the growing season and every few weeks during the cooler winter months.

Tip: for plants that tend to be more water-demanding, group them together. That way you won't forget they need a little extra water! 

Temperature and Humidity

They grow well in most home spaces, but it's not uncommon to find these tropical plants in bathrooms. This is simply because Gloriosum Philodendron loves high warmth and humidity. They don't do well in frosty conditions or cold. So you should bring it indoors when the temperature drops to 50 degrees at night. 

As a houseplant, keeping Gloriosum indoors year-round will do just fine. It can withstand a wide range of common home temperatures.

Humidity is where you usually find this to be a more challenging plant. This is because they prefer higher humidity levels. Monitor humidity levels with temperature and humidity gauges. They prefer anything above 50% humidity.

Consider adding a humidifier to your plants. I have mine in an Ikea greenhouse cabinet with LECA trays that I fill with water to help with ambient humidity. Let's see if it stays this way in the future!

A Philodendron Gloriosum plant growing in the open

How Big Is Philodendron Gloriosum?

These plants are close to vines along the soil line, so they don't get too tall (although you can support them with things like moss poles). Instead, they may spread slowly from rhizomes nesting near the soil line.

The leaves themselves can grow up to 3 feet in length when the plant is mature, well cared for, and happy!

For more philodendrons articles, check out the Philodendron posts, Pink Princess Philodendron, and the Philodendron Micans post!

How to root philodendron Glorisum stem cuttings?

Let's talk about how to grow more broods! Plant propagation is one of my favorite subjects. This is especially true when the plants are hard to find, just like this baby with large leaves!

"Stem cutting" is a bit misleading when it comes to making cuttings in Gloriosum. That's because it actually takes a bit more than a stem. This is because parts of the rhizome need to stay together.

Roots grow from rhizomes, so if no rhizomes are taken when cutting, a new plant will not grow. So, when taking the stem for propagation, be careful to cut the portion that has rhizomes. A mixture of sphagnum moss and perlite is recommended for the rooting process.

Mix wet sphagnum moss and perlite together in a cup. Add cuttings, making sure the rhizomes are in the moss. Make sure you don't bury the cuttings too deeply in the moss. Maintain high humidity by placing a clear plastic bag over your plant.

Root growth should occur within a few weeks. It may help to first cut the rhizomes in a rooting hormone powder or gel. It is a good idea to remove the lid of the bag or box every few days to promote air circulation.

Once the roots are a few inches long, the cuttings can be planted in thick, well-drained soil and treated like other gloriosums. The plant will wither slightly as the roots move into the soil, but it should come back to life. Keep high humidity, the lifeline of your little Philodendron Gloriosum!

Are Philodendron Gloriosum plants safe to keep around pets?

The Philodendron gloriosum plant is toxic if ingested. They can cause gastrointestinal problems as well as other uncomfortable health problems that range from mild to severe (depending on how much you eat).

This applies to humans and pets. However, you should keep this in mind when deciding where to plant your plants. Keep away from anything or anyone who nibbles!

Philodendron Glorisum Care and Pest Problems

Philodendron gloriosum is susceptible to a number of common houseplant pests: mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, thrips, and scales. For almost all pests (with the exception of mold mosquitoes and thrips), store-bought is recommended. 

Neem oil works well on almost all houseplant pests and is highly recommended as it's not a chemical based but a botanical pesticide. Let's save the plants in a safer way and keep our earth healthy!

When treating your plants, make sure you are spraying both the top and bottom of every leaf. Pests often hide at the base of the leaf, especially where the leaf meets the stem.

Fungus gnats

Fungal gnats cannot be treated with insecticides alone. That's because fungus gnats lay their eggs in the top few inches of damp soil. Therefore, the best defense against gnats is to dry out the soil. Well, this might sound scary to you but as mentioned above, it's safe to water after the upper soil is dry. So, you needn't be afraid of drying a few inches of soil.

Alternatively, if you don't want to dry the soil completely, let the soil on top dry out a few inches. You can speed up this process by gently aerating the top layer of soil with a fork. 

Eliminating the moist environment will prevent gnats from laying eggs. Use the sticky fly trap to catch adults while drying things!

Thrips

If your philodendron gloriosum gets thrips, I would highly recommend isolating the infected plant from other houseplants.

After isolating, you would need to spread the suitable insecticide thoroughly all over the plant. Since thrips reproduce both on the soil as well as leaves, a change of soil is also recommended. You can use this generic potting soil, preferably in a new pot.

When to pot and re-pot your Philodendron Gloriosum?

Owing to its spreading and crawling growth habit, Philodendron gloriosa appreciates pots that are wider than deep, where a long, narrow, rectangular shape works well. It should also have good drainage holes. Wet feet should be avoided. However, because of their slow-growing nature, you probably won't need to repot them more than once every two or three years.

Watch to see if the plant begins to lean over the rim of the pot, which slows the growth and reduces the size of new leaves. This is a clear sign that your plant needs a new, bigger pot.

Common problems with Philodendron Gloriosum

This plant is known for being low-maintenance and trouble-free, but it still needs the right conditions to thrive. The issues below are common signs that you are not giving your Philodendron Gloriosum what it needs.

Leaves turning yellow

If your plant has leaves turning yellow, it's not necessarily a cause for concern. Older leaves at the base of the plant may start to turn yellow and fall off as part of their natural cycle. If it occurs on new foliage, this could be a sign of overwatering.

Drooping Leaves

The most common reason you start to see those gorgeous leaves drooping is because of improper moisture levels. Wet roots and subsequent root rot are the most serious problems, but drying plants too much is another. Having said that, please refer to the water and light guidelines above. Not to forget the humidity guidelines!

Browning tips

If Philodendron gloriosum does not get enough moisture (via watering or humidity) or is exposed to too much direct sunlight, it is common for the leaves to scorch, starting at the tips. Carefully consider the location of your plants and consider using a humidifier if you live in a dry place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How fast does Philodendron gloriosum grow?

Well, it's a painfully slow-growing plant. This means you would need lots of patience to see the leaf unfurl. If patience is not your forte, please don't bring this plant home!

Philodendron gloriosum vs glorious?

This is an often-asked question on the internet. The Philodendron glorious is a cross of the Philodendron gloriosum and Philodendron melanochrysum. While Philodendron gloriosum is a crawling plant, glorious is a climbing plant. Just add a moss stick and see it growing rapidly!

Is Philodendron Gloriosum hard to care for?

Yes and no! Once you find the sweet spot between the watering, light, and humidity regime, it's easy! If you are careless and don't bother to see whether your Philodendron gloriosum is getting adequate light, water, and most importantly, humidity, it will become very difficult for you to handle this benign beauty!

How big do Gloriosum get?

As mentioned above, if the conditions are optimal for your plant, you can expect to have leaves measuring up to 3 feet. 

Does Gloriosum climb?

Unlike other Philodendrons, this baby likes to crawl. 

How can I make my Philodendron Gloriosum grow faster?

Please don't over-expect that the methods will help grow your plant faster. All you can do is ensure that the conditions for the plant are optimal. Here are a few things you should do:

• Place the plant near a window so that it can have bright, indirect light.
• Plant in a well-draining pot.
• Use the right soil, like generic potting soil, which consists of the right ingredients in the right proportions.
• Water the plant only when the topsoil is completely dry. If you are a beginner and unsure about this, you should buy a soil moisture meter to maintain the correct watering regime.
• In case of pest infestations, isolate the plant immediately and use a highly effective plant-based pesticide (Neem Oil), as per the recommended dose and method.

Does Gloriosum need a pole?

Since it loves to crawl, a pole is not required. 

Does Gloriosum need high humidity?

Yes, since it's native to Colombia, which has a tropical climate, it loves high humidity!

Is Gloriosum indoor plant?

Since it loves indirect bright sunlight, you can safely categorize it as an indoor houseplant. It thrives well near windows, where the light is bright.

Where should I place a Philodendron in my house?

Since it needs bright indirect sunlight, the ideal place would be near well-lit places, like windows. 

Why is the Philodendron Gloriosum so expensive?

Well, as also mentioned at the beginning of this post, it's a rare plant, and it's not mass-produced. Moreover, they grow slowly and are always in high demand. So, when something is in short supply while the demand is high, prizes are bound to be high. However, you can always find super-attractive offers on Comfort Plants. Right now, they're running Buy 3 and Get 1 Free Offer!

Continue your plant journey 🌱

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