Philodendrons prefer humid and warm environments and won’t tolerate extreme temperatures. It means that your plant may end up suffering irreparable damage once they get subjected to either blistering heat or freezing winds.
What temperature does Philodendron grow in best, then?
The temperature tolerance of Philodendron can vary a lot among different species. However, these plants cannot withstand temperatures under 55°F or 13°C. The ideal temperatures for the plant are 65 to 70°F or 18 to 21°C and 75 to 85°F or 24 to 29°C.
You can easily tell if the temperatures are wrong when you notice leaf drop, wilting, drooping, shoot dieback, leaf curling, and sunscald.
What Temperatures Should Your Philodendrons Be In?
There are more than 200 varieties of Philodendron, and every specie prefers temperatures that fall within a specific range.
But for most Philodendrons, the ideal temperatures are around 65°F or 18°C. The nighttime temperature of your home should never drop lower than 55°F or 13°C.
In general, Philodendrons should be grown in an environment with a temperature range of 75 to 85°F or 24-29°C. The temperature should be kept at 65 and 70°F or 18 and 21°C at night.
These temperatures combined with plenty of moisture, good airflow, and high humidity are ideal for Philodendrons.
The moment temperatures drop lower than 60°F or 15°C, your Philodendrons will lose most of their growth potential and vigor.
When the temperature remains lower than this level for a long time, the plant may enter dormancy. During the dormancy phase, all of your plant’s growth activity will stop. There is an almost complete cessation of the different biochemical processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, and transpiration.
Philodendron uses this strategy as a means of energy conservation until the spring season begins. However, your Philodendron will suffer from an onslaught of issues the moment it enters dormancy. You will most probably overwater your plant, for one, which can result in root rot as well as other problems.
What Temperatures are Too Cold for Your Philodendron?
All through their lives, Philodendrons have grown and thrived in tropical rainforests like the ones found in Mexico, Brazil, and West Indies where it is always humid and hot.
Leaving your Philodendron in low-temperature conditions for a long time can result in injury or cold damage. Freezing temperatures or frost can be deadly for Philodendrons.
Your Philodendrons should be kept away from cooling vents, open windows, air ducts, and other cold drafts in the room where you put them.
The leaves of your plant will become black and die off when they are exposed for a long time to temperatures under 55°F or 13°C.
Stunted growth as a result of cold injury can also lead to brown or dark spots on the leaves. Your Philodendron will also likely suffer from lower light levels, shorter days, low humidity, and overwatering during the winter months.
Cold drafts can also result in notable leaf drops that can make your plant leafless and naked. Aside from this, cold damage may also cause some parts of the foliage of your Philodendron to turn black.
Signs of Exposure to Wrong Temperatures in Your Philodendron
Make sure you watch out for the following telltale signs that will let you know that your Philodendron has suffered from exposure to the wrong temperatures.
Blackened or Browned Leaf Surfaces
Too much exposure to heat can make the leaves of your Philodendron turn brown or black and crispy on the surface. This is why it is important to keep a close eye on your plant.
Excessive direct sunlight often causes blackened leaves. If you keep your Philodendron outdoors under the hot summer sun, for example, overheating will damage the leaf tissue.
The black patches will worsen if you leave your Philodendron in such conditions for a long period. It often happens to plants that have been neglected for an extended time or on a south- or west-facing window or a windowsill.
Plants placed directly in the path of central heating, fireplaces, radiators, or air vents will most likely form blackened leaves, resulting in leaf drops and slowed growth.
Don’t forget to remove completely blackened leaves. You can use moving plants or relocate your Philodendron to a spot away from direct sunlight to keep them healthy.
Leaf Curling
Leaf curling often accompanies brown and dry leaf edges. Most of the time, curled leaves on Philodendrons are the result of excessive exposure to high temperatures, water dehydration, and sunlight.
The majority of Philodendron species are not used to the harsh sunlight and its extreme heat. It means that it will exhibit signs of sunlight damage and temperature shock. It is recommended to keep your plant out of the sun when the summer months begin. However, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a little sunlight in winter.
Drooping Leaves
Low temperatures or cold drafts will make the growing medium less dry than normal. Unfortunately, it can affect the ability of your Philodendron to thrive and grow. Similarly, overwatering can make your Philodendron suffer from drooping leaves when you continue watering it frequently.
Cold damage can also make the leaves of Philodendrons curl and droop. It is the result of freezing temperatures or frost damaging the cells.
The leaves will eventually wilt because of the loss of overall rigidity and turgor pressure in the damaged plant cells.
Brown or Dry Leaf Margins
Brown and dry edges and tips of Philodendron leaves might be an indication that the plant has been exposed to temperatures beyond the recommended range. It is frequently accompanied by direct sunlight exposure and low humidity.
Excessive loss of moisture and heat stress can also dry out the leaf tips and turn them crispy or crunchy. Overly dehydrated Philodendrons that have been sitting in dry air or sun will also show similar symptoms.
Leaf tips may also become dry or brown once exposed to hot drafts. See to it that your plant doesn’t sit too close to fireplaces, radiators, and vents circulating hot air.
The Bottom Line
Always maintain the right temperature range to ensure that your Philodendron grows and thrives well.
