Skip to main content

How to care for the tricky (but gorgeous) philodendron gloriosum

Add a philodendron gloriosum to your houseplant collection

A philodendron gloriosum in a white pot
feey / Unsplash

Philodendrons are beautiful and popular houseplants, known for being hardy and lovely. There are many stunning philodendrons, like the pink princess, to choose from, but one you might not be aware of is the Philodendron gloriosum. If you’re searching for a new philodendron to add to your collection, this might be the right plant for you. While they can be a bit tricky to grow, they are worth the effort. Want to get started growing your own? Here’s everything you need to know to keep your Philodendron gloriosum happy and healthy.

What sets Philodendron gloriosum apart?

A philodendron gloriosum plant in the dark
NHN / Unsplash

Philodendron gloriosum is marked by a few unique and interesting characteristics. It has large leaves that are primarily a lush dark green color. The leaves are soft and velvety, and they typically have a slightly elongated heart shape to them. The edges and veins of the leaves are tinted pink, although the veins can also be white or light green.

Recommended Videos

Another thing that sets this philodendron apart is the way it grows. While some philodendrons will climb, and others stand on their own, Philodendron gloriosum is one of the creeping philodendrons. These philodendrons have stems that crawl or grow along the ground. Smaller stems extend up from there to grow leaves. While Philodendron gloriosum isn’t the only creeping philodendron, it’s less common as houseplants than the other growth habits.

Planting philodendron gloriosum

A philodendron gloriosum leaf
stux / Pixabay

Plant your Philodendron gloriosum in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Potting soil with peat mixed in is a great choice, but you can use any well-draining potting soil if you can’t find one with peat. Choose a container large enough for the roots and that has plenty of drainage holes to prevent excess water from building up at the bottom of the pot.

Position your philodendron in bright, indirect light. While philodendrons can tolerate some light shade and occasional bursts of direct light, they won’t thrive long term in either. Direct light can even burn the leaves, leaving dry brown patches on the nice velvety leaves.

As tropical plants, Philodendron gloriosum should also be kept away from drafts and air conditioning vents. They don’t tolerate cold weather and prefer a comfortable minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer a high-humidity environment, although they can tolerate low humidity better than they tolerate low temperatures.

Philodendron gloriosum care

A philodendron gloriosum plant
feey / Unsplash

Proper care for your philodendron means watering it whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Depending on the plant size, temperature, and humidity levels, this can be once a week to every other week. Avoid getting the leaves wet when you water it. Wet leaves are a common source of fungal infections for many plants, and these risks are often higher for plants with soft or textured leaves, since the water (and fungal spores) has an easier time clinging to the surface of the leaves.

If your home has low humidity, you can increase the humidity around your plant in a few ways. Placing your philodendron in or near the bathroom when you plan on taking a hot shower will give it a boost of humidity through the steam. You can also place a shallow tray of pebbles and water beside your plant. Finally, you can mist your philodendron lightly once or twice a week. While the misting may wet the leaves, the smaller droplets will evaporate more quickly than a drenching from being watered, so you don’t need to worry about the risk of fungal infections.

During the growing season, fertilize your Philodendron gloriosum with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. You can use a tropical plant fertilizer if you prefer; either will work. Most gardeners find it easier to use a liquid fertilizer, especially since liquid fertilizers are easier to dilutee for smaller plants or more frequent applications.

Repotting and propagating

A philodendron gloriosum plant in a pot on a table
feey / Unsplash

Plan to repot your Philodendron gloriosum yearly to every year and a half, although you may need to repot it more often when it’s young and growing quickly. As a general rule, repot your plants when they are close to doubling in size or if the roots are visible through the top of the soil or the drainage holes.

Like other philodendrons, this lovely plant is easy to propagate. Select a healthy stem with at least one leaf and cut it from the plant using a sharp, clean knife, scissors, or shears. Then, place the cut end in a fresh pot of soil or in a glass of clean water. Before long, roots should begin to grow.

Philodendron gloriosum is a gorgeous houseplant, and now you’re prepared to add it to your houseplant collection. Whether you plan to start with a seedling or mature plant from a store or propagating a cutting from a friend’s plant, you’ll be thrilled at how stunning this plant looks in your home. So why not get started today? Before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful, thriving philodendron.

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
How to care for the monkey tail cactus for endless blooms
Tricks for taking care of the unique monkey tail cactus
A monkey tail cactus with pink flowers

If you live in a hot, dry climate then you might be looking for drought-tolerant desert plants to fill out your garden. There are so many fantastic cacti, shrubs, flowers, and trees to choose from, but not all of them are suited to container gardens. If you want a beautiful and unique cactus that you can grow in a container or outdoors, you should consider getting a monkey tail cactus. Never heard of it, or not sure how to grow one? We have you covered in this simple guide to monkey tail cactus care.
What is a monkey tail cactus?

The monkey tail cactus, or Cleistocactus colademononis, is a cactus native to the Andes mountains in Bolivia and Argentina. They’re adapted to high altitudes, rocky soil, and lots of sun. These cacti are actually epiphytic (like some types of orchids), meaning they don’t always grow in soil. Instead, their roots cling and burrow into the stone sides of cliffs.

Read more
The best plants to help relieve stress and anxiety
Rest easy with these soothing plants
Bees pollinating lavender flowers

Growing houseplants is one of the best hobbies for stress relief — simply watering and watching your plants grow can help you forget about your daily worries. Whether you feel better because the plants are lovely to look at, help keep your air clean, or produce a soothing scent, plants that help with anxiety make an excellent addition to homes and gardens. If you’re looking to melt your stress and anxiety away, start your self-care journey by picking up a few of the following plants.
Snake plant

Breathe easy and keep headaches at bay with a snake plant! Snake plants help keep the air fresh and clean by absorbing certain toxins or compounds in the air. Besides keeping air fresh, the snake plant is also incredibly easy to maintain. Consisting of clusters of marbled “snakes,” it only needs to be watered when its soil dries out completely. It appreciates, but doesn't necessarily always need, bright indirect light and liquid fertilizer.
Aloe vera

Read more
How to care for the pencil cactus plant (it’s not actually a cactus)
Help your pencil cactus plant thrive with these tips
Pencil cactus plant

If you’ve been looking for a unique and interesting cactus, you might have heard about the pencil cactus plant. Named for their thin, pencil-like branches, these plants are fun to grow. Although these delightful plants resemble cacti, they actually aren’t. Curious about what they are and how you can grow your own? From how these plants are classified to how often you should water them, we have the answers. This guide to pencil cactus plant care will explain everything you need to know to grow your own.
What is a pencil cactus plant?

If a pencil cactus isn’t a cactus, then what is it? Euphorbia tirucalli, more commonly called the pencil cactus, is actually a succulent. It is also sometimes called a tree, growing up to 6 feet tall indoors and 30 feet when grown outdoors. Plants in the Euphorbia genus are often referred to as cacti, with some of the more common ones being the pencil cactus, the cathedral cactus, and the crown of thorns cactus. However, they are, in fact, all succulents.

Read more