Do you like unusual plants? If so, then you will love Philodendron Crassinervium! This plant is a rare find, and it’s not often seen in gardens or nurseries. Philodendron Crassinervium is a beautiful tropical plant with dark green leaves and a wavy margin. It grows best in moist, shady areas, and it makes a great addition to any garden or landscape.
The Philodendron Crassinervium has long, narrow, lance-shaped dark green leaves projected upwards, with a predominant light green midvein running along the length of the leave. This midvein stores water and helps the plant survive under drought conditions.
It can reach up to 30in length and 20in width in ideal growing conditions. It might grow to a more modest 12 inches in height as a houseplant.
If you’re looking for a Philodendron Crassinervium plant, they are available for purchase online or at some specialty nurseries. They are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any indoor or outdoor space.
Quick Summary:
Sunlight: Indirect to Low light
Water: Water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
Fertilizer: Feed Philodendron Crassinervium plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Pests and Diseases: Philodendron Crassinervium plants are relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
Soil PH: Philodendron Crassinervium plants prefer slightly acidic soil to neutral soil.
Toxicity: Philodendron Crassinervium plants are toxic to humans and animals if ingested.
Origin and History
Philodendron Crassinervium belongs to the genus Philodendron, a part of the Araceae family, and was first described by John Lindley. It was discovered in 1826 in the Brazilian rainforest and was introduced to Europe and North America soon afterward.
The Crassinervium grows naturally as an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants or trees instead of in the ground. It is often found growing on Philodendron selloum or Philodendron bipinnatifidum. Philodendron Crassinervium is a slow-growing plant and can reach up to 3 feet in height in its natural habitat.
The Philodendron genus further has 3 subgenera named: Philodendron, Meconomstigma, and Pteromischum. These subgenera are further divided into sections and subsections based on plants’ characteristics. So if we talk about the complete taxonomic classification of Philodendron Crassinervium, it belongs to the subgenus Philodendron and section Baursia.
It is native, or endemic, to Brazil’s Southeast forests and doesn’t look like a classic Philodendron. It grows under the shade of taller trees in the wild and has a climbing growth habit.
Philodendron Crassinervium Care Guide:
The Philodendron Crassinervium is a tropical, evergreen, flowering perennial member of the Araceae family. Philodendron crassinervium is native to Brazil but can be found in other tropical countries.
It is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants. The male plant produces small greenish-white flowers, while the female produces larger yellowish-white flowers. Philodendron crassinervium does best in moist, shady areas with indirect to low light. It should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
This Philodendron is a climbing plant that uses its aerial roots to attach itself to the tree trunk or any other support. These aerial roots also help the plant absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. It is an easy-to-care plant that can grow in pots or hanging baskets and is known to purify the indoor air by removing toxins.
So let’s explore more how to care for Philodendron Crassinervium.
Light
In its natural environment, Philodendron Crassinervium grows under the canopy of the large trees and receives filtered indirect bright light. Therefore you will want to try to mimic the same conditions while growing it indoors.
It needs about 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight to grow properly, so place it at a spot with indirect or filtered warm light.
A window that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is the best place for your plant. Avoid placing it in a spot that receives direct sunlight for too long, as it can scorch the leaves and cause them to turn brown.
On the other hand, if you keep this plant in a dark area, its leaves will start to turn yellow and will eventually die.
You can use a light meter to measure the intensity of the light in a particular area. Philodendron’s do best in an environment with a light intensity of 2000-3000 lux.
This is similar to the light in an office space or a living room that gets some sunlight during the day.
Soil
Like other Philodendron plants, the Crassinervium prefers well-draining, moisture-retentive, and organic soil with a pH of 5.5-5.6.
A regular peat-based commercial potting mix will work fine for this plant. If you prefer to make your own potting mix, you can take one part of peat moss, 1 part of perlite, one part of vermiculite, one part of garden soil, and one part of orchid bark and mix them.
This soil mix will give your plant the perfect drainage and aeration and help retain moisture. If your potting mix is too dense, you can add some amount of sand or charcoal to make it more aerated.
The peat moss is ideal for household plants as it has a high moisture-retention capacity and is also acidic in nature. Perlite and vermiculite are both volcanic rocks that help aerate the soil and improve drainage. Garden soil is rich in nutrients and allows Philodendron Crassinervium to proliferate.
Orchid bark is a type of wood that breaks down slowly and provides the plant with essential nutrients. You can also add some worm casting or compost to the potting mix to provide extra nutrients for the plant.
Water
Watering your plant is something that needs to be done with utmost care. Philodendron Crassinervium is a relatively drought-tolerant plant that can store water in its midvein and survive in conditions where water is scarce.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should let the soil dry out completely between watering. The ideal way to water it is to wait until the topsoil (1-2 inches) feels dry to touch and then saturate it thoroughly, ensuring that the water seeps out of the drainage holes.
Another method of watering is to dip the pot in a bucket of water and let it sit for almost half an hour. This will help saturate the potting mix and provide your plant with the water it needs. It’s always better to err on the side of underwatering your plant, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
Quick Tip: It’s best to use room-temperature water, as cold water can shock the roots and cause the leaves to turn yellow. Always try to use chlorine-free water, as chlorine can damage the plant.
Fertilizer
Philodendron Crassinervium is a slow-growing plant and does not need heavy doses of fertilizers. However, regular feeding will help it to grow healthy and strong. Feed it with a well-balanced fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Nitrogen will help the plant to develop strong leaves, phosphorus will encourage blooming and fruiting, and potassium will help the plant to establish a robust root system.
You can use any balanced liquid fertilizer or controlled-release fertilizer specially formulated for Philodendron plants. Fertilize it once every two weeks during the growing season, which is from spring to summer. During fall and winter, fertilize your plant once every two months.
It is recommended to use a liquid fertilizer as it gets quickly absorbed by the plant and doesn’t have any chance of burning the roots. If you are using granular fertilizer, apply it immediately after watering the plant.
Do not pour fertilizer over the leaves of Philodendron Crassinervium as it can damage them. Also, avoid using a fertilizer with a high nitrogen concentration as it can lead to leaf burn.
Temperature
Philodendron Crassinervium is a tropical plant and prefers warm temperatures. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 60°F (15°C), but anything below that will damage the leaves.
The ideal temperature range for this plant is 65-80°F (18-27°C). They do well at room temperature but make sure not to place them in a too hot place during summer and a too cold place during winter as it can cause the yellowing of leaves and ultimately leaves drop off.
If your plant is placed outdoors, you must move it indoors if the temperature drops below 60°F (15°C). These plants can survive in US hardy zone 11.
Humidity
Philodendron Crassinervium prefers humid conditions like its natural environment and will do best in a room with a relative humidity of 60-70%. If the humidity around your plant is too low, it will cause leaves to curl.
If your plant is wilting, it is also a sign that the humidity is too low around it. Give it an additional light watering and increase the humidity in its environment. This is particularly important during the dry summer months.
The best way to increase the humidity around your plant is to place it on a pebble tray or use a humidifier. A pebble tray is a shallow tray filled with gravel, rocks, and water.
The water evaporates and increases the humidity around the plant. You can also group your plant with other plants or place it in a high humid place like a bathroom or kitchen.
Pruning
Philodendron Crassinervium is a slow-growing plant and doesn’t need to be pruned too often. You can prune the plant to control its size and shape.
Pruning is also done to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and stems. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to make clean cuts.
Pruning keeps your plant healthy and encourages new growth. You can prune your plant anytime during the year, but spring is the best time to prune it, as the plant is growing actively during this period.
Repotting
Owing to its slow-growing habit, Philodendron Crassinervium doesn’t need to be repotted too often. You can check if your plant needs to be repotted by gently looking at the drainage hole and seeing if the roots are coming from it. If you see any roots, it is time to repot your plant.
Usually, It can be repotted every two or three years. The best time to repot it is during the spring when the plant grows actively.
Gently loosen the soil, remove the plant from its current pot, and place it in a new pot one size larger than the previous pot. Use the well-draining potting mix to repot your plant. Water the plant well and put it in a warm and humid place.
Propagating the Philodendron Crassinervium
The Crassinervium can be propagated by stem cuttings, division, or air layering.
Stem Cuttings:
Stem cuttings can quickly propagate Philodendron Crassinervium.
- Take a stem cutting of about six inches long from a healthy plant and remove the lower leaves. It should have at least two leaves on it.
- Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix.
- Water the plant well and place it in a warm and humid place.
- The cutting will develop roots in about two to three weeks. Once the roots are developed, you can transplant the cutting into a new pot.
You can also submerge the cut end of the cutting in a water glass and wait for the roots to come out. Once the roots have formed, move the cutting to the pot.
The best time to take stem cuttings is during the spring or summer when the plant is growing actively.
Division:
Philodendron Crassinervium can also be propagated by division.
You will need to divide the plant into two or more sections.
- Gently remove the plant from its pot and divide it into sections.
- Replant each section in a new pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.
- Water the plants well and place them in a warm and humid place.
- The plants will develop new roots in about two to three weeks.
Air Layering:
Philodendron Crassinervium can also be propagated by air layering.
- Take a stem cutting of about six inches long from a healthy plant and remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem.
- Gently scrape off the bark from the middle of the stem to expose the cambium layer. This is the layer between the bark and wood that helps in the plant’s growth.
- Dip this exposed part in the rooting hormone and wrap it in moist sphagnum moss.
- Wrap this whole thing in a plastic bag and secure it with a rubber band. Make sure there are holes punched in the bag for ventilation.
- Keep the plastic bag moist by spraying water on it every day.
- The roots will develop in about four to eight weeks.
Once the roots are formed, you can cut the stem below the rooting site and transplant the plant into a new pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.
Pet Safety & Toxicity
Philodendron Crassinervium contains insoluble calcium oxalates that can cause mouth and throat irritation, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting if ingested. The plant is also toxic to pets and can cause severe health problems if eaten.
Symptoms include drooling, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect your pet has ingested it, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Common Problems
Philodendron Crassinervium is a tough plant and doesn’t have any severe problems. However, it can be affected by some common problems like yellowing of leaves, browning of leaves, wilting, and stunted growth.
These problems are usually caused by incorrect care of the plant like overwatering, underwatering, your plant, exposure to direct light, lack of light, or an overdose of fertilizer. So, make sure you are taking good care of your plant and following all the care instructions.
Pests & Diseases
Philodendrons are also susceptible to some insects like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. These pests can cause wilting of the leaves and damage them severely if left unchecked. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on the plant to get rid of these pests. Also, keep an eye out for any problems and treat them immediately.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, white, wingless insects that cover themselves with a waxy coating. They feed on the sap of the plant and secrete honeydew leaving a black moldy soot-like substance. This will cause yellowing and drooping of the leaves. To get rid of them, you can spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on the plant. You can also use a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe them away.
Sprinkling Diatomaceous Earth powder on the plants soil will also detract them from coming back.
Spider mites
Spider mites are tiny spider-like creatures that feed on the plant’s sap. They cause yellowing and browning of the leaves. At first, spider mite damage may appear as small brown or yellow dots on your plant’s leaves. You may notice their webs along with small crawling red bugs.
To get rid of these pests quickly, you can suffocate them with neem oil or insecticidal soap or wipe down the plants leaves with rubbing alcohol. Any of these methods will work fairly well on spider mites and lessen the damage quickly.
Aphids
These bugs are usually found in groups or clumps on your plants leaves. They are small, winged insects that feed on the plant’s sap. They cause stunted growth and wilting of the leaves damaging your plant in a short amount of time.
If you think you have aphids, take the plant outside and give it a thorough cleaning with insecticidal soap or neem oil. These guys can be pretty tough to eliminate so you might need to do this more than once.
You will want to be sure your pant is separated from any other plants to ensure the infestation doesn’t spread.
If your plant is an outside plant, you can purchase insects like ladybugs or lacewings from a garden store to safely control the pests. They will happily devour any aphids or other harmful insects on your plants.
Diseases
Philodendrons are also susceptible to some diseases like root rot and leaf spot. These diseases are usually caused by overwatering or exposure to direct sunlight. So, make sure you are taking good care of your plant and following all the care instructions.
Root Rot
The dreaded root rot is a disease that causes the roots of the plant to rot. It is usually caused by overwatering or exposure to direct sunlight. To prevent this, ensure you are not overwatering your plant and provide it with a well-draining potting mix.
FAQ:
Q: Why are my Philodendron Crassinervium’s leaves turning yellow?
A: Philodendron Crassinervium’s leaves can turn yellow for several reasons like overwatering, underwatering, exposure to direct sunlight, or lack of light. So, make sure you are taking good care of your plant and following all the care instructions.
Q: Why are my Philodendron Crassinervium’s leaves turning brown?
A: The Philodendrons leaves will turn brown and crispy if they are getting too much direct sunlight. Move your Philodendron to a spot where it will get indirect light. Also, make sure you are not overwatering your plant, as that can also cause the leaves to turn brown.
Q: Why is my Philodendron Crassinervium wilting?
A: Philodendrons will often wilt if they are not getting enough water. Wilting can also be a sign of pests, so check the undersides of the leaves for any problems. If you suspect your plant has pests, treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Q: Can I place my Philodendron outside?
A: Philodendrons prefer warm and humid conditions and to be outside in summer. However, they should be brought back inside before the temperature drops in the fall.
Philodendrons can also be grown all year round indoors as long as they are provided with enough light.
Q: Why is my Philodendron Crassinervium’s growth stunted?
A: Philodendron Crassinervium’s growth can be stunted due to several reasons. Most likely, it is due to not enough sunlight during the day. Philodendrons need at least 6-8 hours of indirect light to thrive. Philodendrons can also be stunted if they are not getting enough water or are overwatered. Please take note of the soil and ensure you are giving it what it needs to thrive.
Q: How can I prevent diseases on my Philodendron Crassinervium?
A: You can prevent diseases by taking good care of your plant and following all the care instructions. Ensure you are not overwatering your plant and providing it with well-draining potting mix.
It would help if you also avoid exposure to direct sunlight. If the soil becomes too acidic or alkaline, it can lead to diseases. So, make sure you use the correct soil type for your Philodendron.
Q: Where can I purchase a Philodendron Crassinervium?
A: Philodendron Crassinervium is a rare and unusual plant not easily found in nurseries or garden centers. However, you can purchase one online from a reputable seller.
Q: Are there other Philodendron plants similar to the Crassinervium?
A: Philodendron Crassinervium is a unique plant, and no other Philodendrons look precisely like it. However, other Philodendrons have similar care requirements and can be used as substitutes. Some of these Philodendrons include the Brasil, Cordatum, Squamiferum, and the Pedatum.
Conclusion
Philodendron crassinervium is a beautiful and unique plant that will add some interest to your home. This plant is a rare find, and it’s not often seen in gardens or nurseries. Philodendron Crassinervium is a beautiful tropical plant with dark green leaves and a wavy margin. It grows best in moist, shady areas, and it makes a great addition to any garden or landscape.
