Finding rare philodendron plants has become a little bit of an obsession for me recently, especially as the local nursery starts stocking things I actually used to only see on Instagram. There's just something about the way the Philodendron leaf may look—some are velvety, some are neon, and some have variegation that looks such as a literal splash of paint. In case you've been staying to the fundamental heartleaf variety a person found at a big-box store, you're missing out on a whole world of strange and beautiful foliage.
The one thing about the plant hobby is that "rare" is really a shifting target. That which was the five-hundred-dollar plant two years ago might be sitting on the shelf for 40 bucks today thanks a lot to tissue culture. But that's really great news for all of us because it indicates we can finally get our hands on these stunners without having having to get out another mortgage.
Why the Obsession is Real
I believe individuals gravitate toward rare philodendron plants due to the fact they're generally pretty forgiving. A lot of them aren't like Calatheas that will curl upward and die just because you looked at them the wrong manner or used plain tap water. Philodendrons are survivors. They want in order to climb, they would like to develop, and they generally tell you specifically what they need.
The "rare" tag usually comes down to how hard it is to look for a specific mutation or just how slowly the rose expands. When you obtain that one specimen with perfect sectoral variegation, it feels like winning a tiny, green lottery. Plus, the community around these plants is huge. There's nothing quite such as the rush of a "plant mail" delivery day exactly where you're frantically unboxing a leaf that traveled halfway across the country.
The Gateway Plants: Pink Princess and White Dark night
You can't really talk regarding this hobby without having mentioning the Philodendron Red Princess (or PPP, since everyone calls it). For a long time, this was the ultimate status mark. It's got these types of deep, dark green—almost black—leaves with splashes of bright bubblegum pink. The trick using these is the light. In case you don't provide them enough, they'll start producing all-green leaves to outlive. In case you give all of them a lot of, the red parts might burn. It's a bit of a balancing act, but whenever you get a "half-moon" leaf that's half pink plus half dark environment friendly, it's honestly breathtaking.
Then you've got the "Royal" trio: the Light Knight, White Sorcerer, and White Princess. They all look fairly similar to the untrained eye, but the distinction is usually in the stems and leaf shapes. The White Knight, regarding instance, has individuals beautiful purple-red comes that contrast therefore well with the white variegation on the leaves. These used to become incredibly hard to find, but they've become much more accessible lately, which usually is a gain for everyone.
Engaging in the Odd Shapes: Joepii plus 69686
In case you're over the standard leaf shape and want something that looks a little more prehistoric, you possess to look at the Philodendron Joepii . This is strange, and am mean that in the simplest way possible. The results in look like they've been chewed upon by an insect—they have a very narrow middle section and wide "ears" at the particular top. It has been actually discovered simply by a guy named Joep Moonen who thought it was an consumed leaf in the beginning. It's a conversation starter for sure.
Another fun you are the Philodendron 69686 . Yes, it's named with a number, which feels extremely "Area 51, " but the plant is definitely stunning. It provides tri-lobed leaves that will look a little like a butterfly or even a bat in trip. It's a quick grower once this gets established, and unlike some of the more finicky rare philodendron plants, it doesn't appear to mind a little bit of bit of neglect.
The Ultimate goal: Philodendron Spiritus Sancti
We have got to discuss the elephant in the space: the Philodendron Spiritus Sancti . For a long time, this particular was the almost all expensive, most sought-after plant on the planet. Originating from a very specific area in Brazil, it offers these incredibly lengthy, sword-shaped leaves that will can reach a number of feet in size.
Not really long ago, just one cutting could fetch you five to 10 thousand dollars. Fortunately, labs have started producing them by means of tissue culture, therefore the prices are lastly coming down to earth. It's nevertheless a "flex" within the plant entire world, but it's getting something a regular enthusiast might actually be capable to afford one day. It's a slow grower, even though, so patience is a requirement right here.
Caring regarding Your Rare Sees
So, you've spent some decent money on the rare cutting—now exactly what? The biggest mistake I see people make is placing their new reward in regular, heavy planting medium. Most rare philodendron plants are epiphytes, meaning in the wild, these people grow on trees rather than in the ground. They require air around their particular roots.
I always recommend a large aroid mix . This usually means a blend of orchid bark, perlite, horticultural charcoal, and probably a little bit of coco coir or peat moss. You desire the drinking water to run straight-through the pot. When the soil remains soggy, you're looking at root corrosion, and there's nothing more heartbreaking compared to watching a hundred-dollar plant turn into mush.
Lights is the next large factor. Most associated with these plants enjoy "bright, indirect lighting. " In human terms, that indicates they want to be near a window yet not within the path of harsh, direct afternoon sunbeams. When you don't have great natural lighting, a good grow light is going to do wonders. Just don't forget to give them something to climb. A moss pole or a cedar plank mimics their natural environment and actually stimulates the leaves in order to grow much bigger.
The Reality associated with Reverting
Something no one tells you when you start buying rare philodendron plants with variegation is that variegation is not guaranteed . A person might buy a flower with a lot of white or pink, yet as it expands, the new results in might start coming out plain natural. This is called reverting.
The plant does this because the variegated (white/pink/yellow) parts of the leaf can't photosynthesize. If the plant feels such as it's not obtaining enough energy, it'll ditch the pretty colors in favor of green so it can eat. If a person see this taking place, you usually have in order to prune the plant back to the final "good" variegated client to encourage this to try again. This feels like surgical treatment, and it's nerve-wracking, but it's often the only way to save the appearance from the plant.
Where you can Actually Discover Them
Don't just go to the first online store the thing is. The entire world of rare philodendron plants is, sadly, full of con artists. In case a price appears too good in order to be true (like a variegated Monstera for $10), it's a scam.
I've had the best good luck with: * Local BST (Buy/Sell/Trade) groups: People in your city are often happy to trade cuttings. * Etsy: Check the particular reviews create sure the seller includes a history of shipping and delivery live plants. * Specialty Nurseries: Many smaller nurseries now specialize in rare aroids and will ship along with heat packs during winter.
Always ask for a "prop video" or a photograph of the actual herb you're getting, not really just a "mother plant" photo. You would like to see the stem—look to get a stripe of variegation on the stem itself, since that's where the fresh growth will come through.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, collecting rare philodendron plants is supposed to be fun. It's easy in order to get caught upward in the "must-have" culture and seem like you need in order to spend thousands in order to have an awesome collection. But honestly? Several of my preferred plants are the types that cost 20 bucks and grew like crazy under my care.
Whether you're chasing a Lilac Princess or simply need weirdly formed Joepii, just keep in mind to enjoy the procedure. There's a great deal of satisfaction within watching a brand new leaf unfurl, specially when you've been waiting days to see when it'll have ideal splash of color. Happy hunting!