Many people are looking for the best plant that can turn their home into a green sanctuary in a snap. However, most of them love houseplants but hate all the fuss associated with taking care of them. Well, you don’t have to look any further because the Philodendron Micans is the perfect plant for you.
There is a good reason why the fast-growing Philodendron Micans is getting more popular than other varieties of Philodendrons in the world is that the plant is as easygoing as it can get.
It is also equally straightforward to propagate the Philodendron Micans. You can easily grow new sprouts with just some water and a few cuttings. When you have a Micans, you are practically getting a houseplant that will continue giving.
But like other plants, Micans can also suffer from issues like limping. If you are wondering why is Philodendron Micans limp, this guide will give you a good idea of the common problems of the plant and its care requirements.
What is a Philodendron Micans?
Philodendron Micans belongs to the large genus of Philodendrons that belong to the Araceae family. Philodendrons have many different types that also differ in appearance.
Philodendron Micans resembles the distinctive heart-leaf Philodendron that you might often see in most local nurseries. However, Micans sets itself apart from your typical heart-leaf Philodendron with its gorgeous velvet finish.
Velvet leaf Philodendron is the common name for Philodendron Micans. The leaves of the plant boast a greenish-purplish finish and a touch of shimmer.
Why is Your Philodendron Micans Limp?
Limp leaves in your Philodendron Micans may be an indication of too little or too much water. Too little light can make the leaves turn yellow. But confusingly enough, too much direct light can also burn the leaves which can result in a yellowing effect.
If the leaves of your Philodendron Micans turn limp or yellow, you can try to adjust your watering habits and light situation so that these will keep up with the care requirements of the plant.
Your Micans should bounce back fast after you address the issue and its leaves should also perk back up. You also don’t need to worry if there are permanently damaged leaves. All you have to do is pluck them off and watch your plant continue to grow.
Water and Humidity Requirements of Philodendron Micans
If you want to ensure that your Micans don’t become limp, make sure you avoid overwatering it and it will be just fine. It means that you should only water it again once the top one or two inches of the soil have already dried out.
Just be careful and never allow the soil to become extremely dry. A telltale sign of this is when the soil starts to contract, pulling inwards away from the planter’s edges.
The good news is that it won’t necessarily hurt your Micans if it only happens once or twice. But the moment the soil starts shrinking away from the edges of the planter, the water can easily escape down the gaps and go straight to the bottom without even reaching the roots.
Look for the sweet spot between the soil starting to shrink and beginning to dry out. You can water the plant less when it doesn’t actively grow during the winter season.
Even though the Philodendron Micans can be very patient with the different levels of indoor humidity, you will notice that the leaves become healthier and bigger when there are somewhat higher humidity levels.
There are a few things you can do to maintain the proper humidity for your Micans. You can put plain water inside a spray bottle and use it to mist the leaves of your plants. You can also set your plant point on a tray filled with water and pebbles, making sure that you don’t submerge the pot in the water. Another good option is to use a humidifier.
Also, take note that your Micans can also be very tolerant of the normal range of temperature in most households.
Light Requirements of Philodendron Micans
Philodendron Micans prefer indirect bright light just like other Philodendrons. Excessive direct light can end up burning the leaves of your plant. Micans can also tolerate somewhat lower light levels as houseplants although you will notice that they will have smaller leaves.
The plant can also turn leggy or stemmy if it doesn’t get indirect bright light. Leggy or stemmy simply means that the leaves have more space between them while the stems are sparser.
Common Problems of Philodendron Micans
Aside from limp, Philodendron Micans is also prone to some common problems, including the following:
Brown Leaves
The absence of humidity in the air around your Philodendron Micans can dry out the leaves which can lead to brown tips or edges.
Browning might also be the result of excessive direct light, or what you call a burn. Try to adjust the light as needed. Over-fertilizing may also cause a burning effect on the leaves of your Micans. Take note that using a lot of fertilizer doesn’t always guarantee that the plant will also be healthier. Always fertilize only as directed on the bottle.
When you suspect that there is a fertilizer buildup in the soil of your plant, you can use plain water to flush out the soil. If you want to prevent unnecessary fertilizer buildup, you can also use worm castings instead of fertilizer to serve as a soil amendment.
Pest Infestations
Your Philodendron Micans are also susceptible to a plethora of houseplant pests. These include scale and aphids and mealybugs, usually the result of overwatering. The most obvious sign of scale is the sticky residue around and on the plant.
Micans are prone to infestations of spider mites as well, which happen to be the worst. Spider mites thrive on dry and warm indoor air. Most infestations occur during the winter months.
To keep these spider mites away from your plants, you can mist your Micans with cool water. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can also help eliminate an infestation.
