How to Care for Philodendron Hope?

With shiny, ruffled leaves that are deeply lobed, the Philodendron Hope adds an instant tropical feel to any space.

Because of its easy-to-meet requirements it’s categorized as a beginner-level plant that puts on a show of impressive foliage.

Despite its ease of care, it’s important to understand the requirements of this plant, especially when it comes to the basics.

If you’re new to plant care in general or just unfamiliar with tropical plants, I’ll cover the most important things to know about how to care for a philodendron hope.

Size & Growth

Given the right conditions, philodendron hope can reach a height of 5 feet and about the same in width. Just the leaves alone can grow to become 3 feet in size.

The cut leaves of the plant also make an excellent decorative piece in vases, where they can survive for months if you change the water weekly and don’t allow it to become foul.

As for the growth rate, philodendrons are generally considered fast-growing plants, especially if environmental conditions are ideal.

The philodendron hope tends to grow outward, especially indoors, but it can be easily trained to grow upwards if you stake it up.

Light Requirements

The light requirements of the philo hope can be described as moderate. They don’t need full sun, nor they enjoy it, but they also shouldn’t be kept in the dark.

Natural, diffused, moderate light is what works best for these plants.

Direct light will cause sunburn and even too much bright, indirect light can cause nutritional deficiencies by over-stimulating growth productivity. However, you can overcome this with regular fertilizing.

Therefore, moderation is key when it comes to light exposure.

Watering

Philodendrons are epiphytic plants that are sensitive to overwatering. To prevent overwatering, you must check the moisture level of the soil, every time you decide to water the plant.

You should allow the soil to dry a bit before watering, so that you don’t get to a point where the plant sits in soggy water.

An easy way to keep watering at a good ratio is to water when the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry. This method will keep you from watering more often that it’s needed.

Soil Type

Soil type is just as important in preventing overwatering related problems as practicing a correct watering routine. A soil that is prone to compaction and waterlogging will simply not cut it for the philodendron hope.

They need a well-aerated soil that will drain fast, precisely to avoid root rot issues. You can use a soilless potting mix or sphagnum peat moss mixes.

Make sure your pot is fitted with drain holes so that any excess water can easily percolate out of the pot.

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature range in which philodendron hope can be kept is between 60 F and 80 F, however the ideal range is between 65 and 75 degrees.

This is pretty much in line with the temperature that most of us have indoors, so in this respect there’s not much that needs to be done.

Freezing temperatures, cold drafts should be avoided. But also avoid placing this plant close to heating vents or any source of heat.

Because it’s native to tropical regions of South America, philodendron hope enjoys a humid environment. If the air in your home is dry, consider moving it to a more humid room like a kitchen or increase humidity with a humidifier.

Misting occasionally can also work, but it’s best to keep the leaves of this plant dry so that you don’t end up with fungal leaf problems.

Also, keep the leaves dust-free and debris-free by wiping them down with a moist cloth.

Fertilizing

Although not hungry for fertilizer, the philo Hope will certainly benefit from it. Especially when exposed to very bright indirect light that will cause the plant to invest more energy into growing than it otherwise does in moderate light.

You can use a general purpose houseplant fertilizer, a slow release fertilizer or other organic fertilizer designed for foliage plants.

Depending on the brand, with slow-release fertilizers you will only need one or two applications during the entire growing season.

Liquid fertilizers may be used once a month from spring to fall. Make sure to correctly dilute the fertilizer so that you don’t end up causing fertilizer burn.

Potting & Repotting

Regardless of the potting vessel you use, drain holes should not be missing from your pots. Repotting will be needed when the plant’s roots are starting to poke out of the pot or when the roots are visibly crammed, or the plant is outgrowing its pot.

Larger philodendron hope plants can be repotted every 18 to 24 months. When switching to a bigger pot, you don’t need a much larger one. Pick one with a diameter that’s only 2 or 4 inches bigger.

Repot in spring or summer, when the plant’s metabolism is at its peak. You can trim away some of the roots, especially if diseased or damaged.

How to Propagate Philodendron Hope?

Philodendrons can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. Take a stem cutting with a couple of nodes on and propagate in moist soil or water.

They’ll usually root in just a couple of weeks. When propagating in water, you need to replace the water frequently to keep it clean.

You can also divide the roots in several sections when repotting. Gently pull apart the roots, making sure each section features at least two shoots.

New growths can appear within days of repotting new divisions.

Wrapping Up

The Hope Philodendron is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with caring for tropical plants. It doesn’t require much looking after once you manage to place it in a location that offers an optimal light exposure and enough humidity.

Take a precautionary approach to watering by checking the soil every time and water only when it feels dry. Avoid overwatering.

Pick out a good quality soil that’s rich and fast-draining and make sure your philo is safe from cold drafts or temperature extremes. Other than these, your philo will be happy with the occasional fertilizing too.