Plant Species: Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium Cream Splash

Plant Genus: Philodendron

Plant Family: Araceae

Native Habitat: Mexico, Honduras

Soil Drainage: Well-draining soil is recommended, using a substrate mix composed of coconut coir, perlite, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, and pumice.

Soil pH: Acidic

Fertilizers: Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium Cream Splash is a very easy-to-care-for plant with modest fertilization needs. However, for its optimal growth, we recommend using a bio-type fertilizer (we use the BioBizz brand for the plants we cultivate) from the beginning of March to the end of November.

Air Humidity: This cultivar is perfectly adapted to indoor conditions and thrives well even in low humidity environments, down to 40%. However, note that its aerial roots won't develop as they typically do in epiphytic plants. Instead, it will have a more trailing growth habit.

Temperature: 18-29 Celsius degrees

Potted Plant Height:

• Size M: 20-25cm
• Size S: 12-15cm

Potted Diameter:

• Size M: 8X8cm
• Size S: 7X7cm

Because there are multiple types of mutations in Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium, leading to different yet similar variegated cultivars, this should be noted in the preamble of this text 😊

There are seven known mutations of Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium, with differences not only in colors but also in availability and cost on the market. In order of their availability in the Romanian and European market (and therefore this list should be seen as "from the cheapest to the most expensive"), they are:

• Philodendron hederaceum Brasil – colors in the center of the leaf range from yellow to light green, bordered by dark green.
• Philodendron hederaceum Lemon lime – the color of the new leaf is entirely yellow-green (a hint of pink may appear if the plant is overexposed to light), maturing into a light green with a hint of yellow.
• Philodendron hederaceum variegata – a classic variegation with random white splashes of different shapes and sizes, maturing into a light green.
• Philodendron hederaceum Silver Stripe – a stable cultivar with variegation starting as light green in the center of the leaf, bordered by a silvery stripe that separates the central variegation from the rest of the dark green leaf.
• Philodendron hederaceum Cream Splash – originating from Silver Stripe, this cultivar underwent an additional mutation leading to the appearance of a new color – creamy white – positioned between the light green center and the silver border. The variegation in this cultivar can be inconsistent, producing leaves ranging from almost entirely creamy white to leaves with a thin silver-white line down the center.
• Philodendron hederaceum Rio – variegation pattern starting with silver, creamy white, silver, dark green, available in the US market from the producer Gabriella Plants.
• Philodendron hederaceum Gabby – variegation pattern starting with light green, creamy white, dark green / light green, resulting in the highest variegated surface. This cultivar is available only in the US market from the producer Gabriella Plants.

And since the differences between the Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardum cultivars are no longer a mystery after this extensive introduction, it's time to delve into Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardum Cream Splash, the plant available here.

It is a relatively rare cultivar, its aforementioned variegation making it one of the most desired plants among collectors. Additionally, like its "parent" species - Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardum – it is very easy to grow and maintain, making it an ideal candidate for beginners in the realm of plants, despite its rarity. Moreover, due to the instability of the variegation pattern, there's no risk of producing leaves with low chlorophyll content from a certain point onwards, which would significantly slow down the plant's growth rate.

Ideal growth conditions involve an air humidity of 60-70%, but it performs admirably even in environments with lower humidity, around 35-40%. Cream Splash thrives in bright indirect light (east-facing windows are the best) and should be watered when the top two centimeters of the substrate have dried out.

Attention! To check the substrate's moisture level, inserting a finger into the pot to a depth of 2 cm is the best way to measure soil moisture. So, if the substrate feels wet, keep the spray bottle away for a day or two, and if it feels dry, water it.

Attention 2! When discussing watering, consider the pot's size, the amount of substrate, and its degree of aeration. In other words, don't pour a liter of water into a pot with a diameter and height of 12 cm, as this could drown the plant's roots. It's best to pour off excess water from the collector tray half an hour after watering.

The plant can be mounted on a support pole wrapped in coconut fiber. This will encourage the aerial roots to attach to the support, resulting in a more robust stem and progressively larger leaves. Additionally, if you prefer the aesthetic of trailing plants, you can let it grow without support, and as the vines lengthen, you can secure them to walls with special clips.

Best of luck with caring for it! And don't forget to give us updates about your plant, using the hashtag #greenmirrors and tagging @green.mirrors in your Instagram posts! We promise to share them in our stories 😊

Tags: Philodendron, Philodendron Cream Splash, Araceae, rare plants, unusual plants, foliage decorative plants, trailing plants, air-purifying plants, indoor decorative plants, plants for the office.